tdvpnp

I just spoke to a friend who said she just saw on TV news that grocery prices have sky rocketed in Hawaii.
She said a loaf of bread was $8 and a gallon of
milk $9.Is this the case?
Please let me know!

suze

Do you really need a whole gallon of milk on vacation? There are certain grocery items that are more expensive in Hawaii, but many that are not. People always use the bread & milk as a shocking example, but for me (I don't buy either of those specific items) I have not found prices at the Food Pantry in Waikiki (as example) are that different from a QFC in Seattle.

happytrailstoyou

Groceries are more expensive in Hawaii, but, not so expensive that you should cancel your vacation or spend time fretting.

While I was in Hawaii for the first time in January, I was shocked by the prices of some items at a big supermarket and then later saw the same items for considerably less at another supermarket.

Read the weekly grocery ads, and be glad that the prices are in dollars and not Euros.

NeoPatrick

I'd rather pay 3 euros for a gallon of milk (as I did in France) than $9, if that price was true. I don't care if the prices are in euros or in dollars -- it's the bottom line I'm concerned with.

happytrailstoyou

There you go again. ...be glad that the prices are in dollars and not Euros. I was referring to the $8 and $9 not being 8 Euros and 9 Euros.

NeoPatrick

OK, why not go whole hog then and say "be glad they are in dollars and not pounds" which would be even worse? Or why not say, "Don't you wish the prices were in Japanese yen instead of dollars?" Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Sorry, I guess I just didn't understand the reference to US grocery prices being in a foreign currency with a different value entirely but given in the same numbers.

Songdoc

On my first trip to Kauai I was shocked by prices that seemed almost double what I'm used to paying. I stay in a condo when I go and eat most of my meals in, enjoying the gorgeous views--or packing a picnic for the beach.

A trip to Wal-Mart or Costco helps cut costs. I also take a few items with me that are small and easy to pack -- i.e., small packs of spices, raisins, teabags, sweetener, maybe even a box of pasta ...

I buy my produce at the "sunshine market" -- the farmer's market that operates on specific days. The prices are better than the supermarkets -- and quality and freshness can't be beat.

I usually can find whole rotisserie chickens for under ten dollars at the big markets. Of course, on Kauai, you could always try to catch a chicken!

But mostly, I accept that an extra fifty dollars or so is well worth it for a week in paradise.

Marginal

I believe the last commercial dairy on Oahu closed down, and all milk has to be imported from the mainland, using petroleum-based fuels. Just like everything else that comes in from the mainland.

Milk and dairy products have always been expensive.

Local produce and fish are still reasonable, fresh, and excellent. The orignal Hawaiians had coconut mik, but not dairy. They seemed to have survived on that just fine.

dmlove

I completely understand what happytrails is saying, because it's the reaction so many people have to items priced in pounds or Euros -- "if only that were $$$$".

suze

Also do shop around. All the islands have various farmers markets. Local produce, fresh fish, is reasonably priced.

As mentioned dairy is high. I noticed that with yogurt myself.

In Waikiki you can find things at ABC Stores (that are everywhere) for lower prices on some items than at the grocery store.

Lots of inexpensive ways to eat such as 'plate lunch' places, bakeries, and shrimp trucks.

matnikstym

A gallon of milk on the Big Island is around $5.25 and a loaf of bread can be had for $3.00 or less. Gas is $4.44 on the Hilo side $4.83 in Kona. Shop the ads and compare prices, not everything is more expensive here than on the mainland.

kauai_aka

i don't think the food prices have skyrocketed in HI, except when coming from the mainland. it seems the prices are already higher here. i'm often approached by mainland tourists asking for a cheaper places to grocery shop on kauai or hear somebody complain about the cost of something when i'm shopping. tourists from other countries don't seem to mind it seems or at least not as vocal.

i admit, spam has gone up two bucks at costco which is a real bummer.

i'm surprised socal has us beat on fuel, according to my brother. i haven't seen that before. heck, i met someone today visiting from venezuela say they pay equiv of under .20 cents a gal. i could barely understand him but i'm pretty sure that's what he said.

carolyn

We were on Oahu in May, and gas was cheaper than here in Louisville, KY.

raineday

I was in Kauai and Maui in May and I did not find things that expensive. Foodland had some great deals. Bread can be had for under $4 a loaf for whole grain. Even in Princeville the prices weren't that bad. They had whole cooked chickens for under $7. The poke was on sale for $7 a pound and it was good. All the locals were buying it. Cheese was about $4 for the bar kind. There was a place in Kauai that advertised locally grown strip steak for $4.99 a lb. T-bone $5.99 a lb. Fish was higher than where I'm at (New England).
The beer and booze prices were excellent at Foodland.
Of course it will be more than the mainland. It's a resort area year round.