I
was inspired to cook because of the Rachael Ray Show, but I had my first
introduction to the perky host with her Rachael Ray’s $40 a day travel series
from back in the day. With most people
on a budget, it is no wonder she is still so relatable over a decade later.
My
happiest place on Earth, Mau`i however is not very budget friendly and food is no
exception. I already had sticker shock
the first time I paid over $7 for a gallon of Safeway milk 10 years ago so
imagine how I felt seeing $7.59 for a ½ gallon from the ABC store this time
around. I admit there is definitely a
price tag for convenience since I did not rent a car but to understand why
things are so more expensive in Hawai`i, you have to take in consideration the
shipping cost of “importing” goods from the Mainland, making it so important
for Mau`i to return to its roots of self sustainability.
With
the recent closure of the commercial sugar industry it is the end of an era but
there is so much potential for something great.
First and foremost, it is time to reroute the water sources back to the
local kalo farms, gatherers, and fishermen that have had so many of their
resources jeopardized in the name of profit.
Although tourism is one of Hawai`i
My
stays on island are never long enough for me as I actually get homesick for the
islands when I leave. So when an
opportunity arose thanks to a very generous friend whom we coincidentally had
met in Mau`i 12 years ago, to return for an free week at the Whaler on Ka`anapali recently for just the
price of air and food, needless to say, they did not have to ask me twice. Going on my own this time allowed me to
travel a little differently.
1. Carry-on only – With complimentary washer and
dryer on site, I traveled with only a carry on, but with the 25 lb limit imposed by
Hawaiian Airlines, it did limit my ability to fully execute money saving tip #2. However, the $50 check in bag fee I saved, more than made up for it. With the exception of one bagel, a sleeve of
crackers and a cup of dried rice, I left all my normal cooking essentials at
home.
2. Mau`i Bus - I did not have a car so was
limited to how far I can go for perishables, hence the $7.59 half gallon of
milk. However, with the Rider app
downloaded before leaving, it helped me plan my way around via the Mau`i Bus
for just $4 for a day pass.
At $2 each way, if you intend on even one round trip by bus, get the day pass as you have absolutely nothing to lose and with the nicest bus stop ever at Whaler's Village, you still feel like you're in paradise.
Although possible to get to West Mau`i via the bus system from OGG airport, transferring multiple times over 1 ½ hours each way would have wasted too much of my precious time in paradise so I did reserve a RT airport transfer for $75 which is still cheaper overall than a one week car rental.
At $2 each way, if you intend on even one round trip by bus, get the day pass as you have absolutely nothing to lose and with the nicest bus stop ever at Whaler's Village, you still feel like you're in paradise.
Although possible to get to West Mau`i via the bus system from OGG airport, transferring multiple times over 1 ½ hours each way would have wasted too much of my precious time in paradise so I did reserve a RT airport transfer for $75 which is still cheaper overall than a one week car rental.
Money Saving Tips:
Over
the years, I have discovered ways to save money with many tips becoming second
nature now.
1. Stay in a condo – having a full
kitchen saves so much money when you are not eating out breakfast, lunch, and
dinner which on average would run you about $100 per person per day. My home away from home at the Whaler on Ka`anapali.
2. Even ingredients for cooking are
much more expensive there - $4 vs. $1 for BBQ sauce, $5 vs. $3 for bread, so I
have learned to bring some over with me when I can to cut down on costs. Soy sauce, ketchup, a few bottles of water,
bagels, hamburger buns, dry rice just to name a few.
3. Pick up those driving magazines at
the airport as many of them have great coupons that can save a few dollars here
and there. Even without a car this time
around that did not stop me from picking up those driving mags.
Breakfast
My
daily breakfast of choice when I am on island and long before avocado toast
became trendy is half a papaya and half a toasted pineapple or coconut bagel
topped with a more cholesterol friendly guacamole (vs. cream cheese) made from
Mau`i’s own butter avocado.
Farmer’s Market Honokowai - I picked up all the fixings my
second morning on island for 6 days worth of breakfast for $17.79.
ABC – Remember that $7.59 for half gallon
of milk.
Unfortunately without a car, I had to pay it for the convenience since it is perishable but liters of water here were very reasonably priced at $1 a liter which is a blessing not having to lug them back on the bus = $9
Unfortunately without a car, I had to pay it for the convenience since it is perishable but liters of water here were very reasonably priced at $1 a liter which is a blessing not having to lug them back on the bus = $9
Even with that overpriced milk, my
breakfast comes in at just $4.25 per day.
Other Groceries
Fish Market Honokowai – Unfortunately the price of the
opakapaka pink snapper has gone up from $29.99/lb to a pricey $39.99/lb in just
6 months. However, since I was already
at the fish market and the 2 large filets with a mac nut crust (small discount
on marinades and toppings with coupon), the $50 spent ended up
lasting me 5 meals (lunch or dinner) coming out to about $10 per meal.
Foodland Farms – Trying to eat as local as
possible on island, I try to buy things found here or cheaper than what I would
find back on the Mainland. Kalua pork, fully
cooked and just required steaming before serving over rice was enough for 3
meals, Koko Head smoked ahi spread to go over crackers for a quick pool or
beach snack, and a ½ gallon of Meadow Gold guava nectar to go with lunch or
dinner = $19.20.
Lunch
Staying
in a resort area, it can be challenging to find a decent option without the
high resort prices but the food court at Whaler’s Village has a couple of good
choices now. No view or much ambiance as
it’s a food court but not a problem for me bringing it right next door to enjoy
by the pool or on the beach. Coincidentally
hitting it up for my first and last meal this trip, I will never look at this
food court the same way again.
Joey’s Kitchen – Arriving early into West Mau`i,
most restaurants in the area had yet to open for lunch so I went to Joey’s
Kitchen for a mahi mahi fish sandwich to enjoy by the pool - $13
Nikki’s Pizza – Discovered this time around that
the name is a bit of a misadvertisement but in a good way. With choices from omelettes and breakfast
croissant sandwiches to plate meals, wraps, and pastas, it seemed like a food
court in itself.
For $9,
I had myself a sausage and egg croissant sandwich with potatoes that was
satisfying enough for my flight out.
808 Grindz Café – As you can tell, I rarely eat
breakfast out, but 2 years ago, I decided to splurge on my birthday and get
macadamia nut pancakes at 808 Grindz Café in Lahaina. Not only did I get a short stack comp’d
because it was my birthday but the service is friendly as if you are eating at
someone’s house and the food was ono!! I
came back twice last year and had to stop by at least once for brunch this
time. The banana slammer special of two
fluffy banana pancakes with the special mac nilla sauce for $1.50 more,
Portuguese sausage, and 2 eggs my way (poached), AND a loco moco to go for lunch
the next day set me back a whopping $23.55 including tax and tip.
Fish Market Honokowai – Since I was picking up fresh fish
from the market and I had 25 minutes between the time I got off the bus and the
time it comes back around for pick up, I decided to try a fish taco in the
meantime while they kept my fish in the refrigerator until I was ready to go = $4.35
Dinner
Being
on my own this time, I did a few happy hours and only one sit down dinner the
night before I left. This allowed me the
flexibility to catch the sunsets each evening.
Leilani Aloha Hour – Perfect for the first day as I
had been up since 2AM HST so was ready for a light dinner by
mid-afternoon. Leilani’s Aloha Hour is
from 3-5PM with discounted appetizers and drinks. Two Ni`ihau Lamb Sliders, Kalua Pork Spring
Rolls, and a Mai Tai finished off with ½ a Hula Pie to eat on site and ½ to go
for another night’s dessert = $38 including tax and tip for dinner
Japengo Happy Hour – I discovered Japengo’s Happy Hour
from 5-6PM towards the end of my stay last September and wish I had time to
come back one more time so I made sure to stop by during this stay. Located in the Hyatt, I walked over early so
I can stop by Ululani for shaved ice beforehand. With a free add-on coupon from the driving
magazine, I was able to get it over macadamia nut ice cream. There are no rules on vacay, so eating
dessert before dinner is completely acceptable.
This ensures I can be satisfied with some light bites from the happy
hour menu. An order of curry dusted
calamari and pork ribs with a sparkling pina sangria came out to only $27
including tax and tip for dinner.
Leilani Tasting Menu – It is a tradition of mine to have
my last dinner each trip at Leilani and this time is no different. Their chef’s tasting menu offered from 5-5:30
for $26 is a steal, with a choice of pupu, entrée, and dessert from their
tasting menu options. A starter of
chilled kefir lime scented tiger prawns, parmesan crusted monchong, finished
off with a tropical fruit crisp and a virgin mango colada, was $40
including tax and tip for dinner.
Desserts
It
is a good thing I get a lot of exercise in Mau`i via walking and swimming as I
found myself having dessert every day.
Leilani
Hula Pie – 2 Hula Pies split over 4 days – one ordered during happy hour, once
to-go from bar for $11.42 including tax and tip
Ululani
Shaved Ice - $7 for shaved ice with coupon for a free mac nut ice cream add
on
Island
Cream - $4.35 for a single scoop with a $1 off coupon
Ono
Gelato - $7.50 for medium cup with 2 flavors – mac nut and mango
Grand Total Spent on Food: $281.16 = $40.16 a day
Finding
a good combination of cooking and eating out without depriving myself of a good
foodcation, I came in at about $40 a day for food. It would have been a week that would hopefully
make Rachael Ray proud.
