manytrips

Which offers the better discounts -- the Entertainment Book or the Hawaii Gold Card? We will be visiting three islands in April--Oahu, Maui, and The Big Island of Hawaii.

ileen

Cant help you with Entertainment Book or Gold Card, but want to share our experience.

In my experience, Hawaii is the land of coupons galore and all are free.

There are millions of publications filled with discounts and coupons tourists can get for free and they are really good in saving a bundle if you take time to study them and then plan your daily schedule.

I have been to Oahu and Maui several times and have used the free publications and found them to be a tourists best friend as I was able to discounts everywhere and thus was able to remain below my budget or at least within my budget.

So, when you reach any airport and are waiting to get your luggage, look for racks or counters that have a huge variety of brochures, booklets, pamphlets etc. you can pick up free. I had a spacious tote bag with me which I filled with several and they were all very helpful.

For example, pick up "101 Things to Do." There I was able to find coupons for Hawaiian Luau which would be $77 regular, but with coupon $48. We even used a half-price coupon for a dinner cruise.

There also were coupons for parasails, surfing lessons, helicopter rides etc.

In addition there were tons of ads for restarants and fast food places, so you get the addresses and phone numbers and often a special offer or a coupon. Thus, this was a helpful booklet.

Another one is booklet Maui Magazine or Oaho Magazine.This one also has pretty much the same stuff as above, but sometimes different coupons and specials.
This booklet always has coupons from Hilo Hatties, a gift store of Hawaii. By purchasing a certain amount, you get a free mug or a t-shirt or something else. I love this coupon and have always used it.
There are pages and pages of restaurant coupons and some of them are really money-savers. We used one for Hard Rock Cafe, and even one for an internet cafe for sending e-mails. Also a coupon 15 % off Maui Pineapples or papayas and even coupon for the healthfood store and the farmer's market. In addition, coupon for ice cream, soft drinks or a free brownie etc. at different well-known eateries.

I even found a coupon to use at a scrapbooking store and bought some Hawaiian cut-outs. Very neat and very special for me.

Thus, so many attractive offerings are already there for you to seek.

So, remember to have an empty tote or space in some bag so you can pick up all the brochures and map available at the airport.

In addition, the hotel lobby as well as our room had additional publications and even more attractive offers.

You just have to look and above all take time to study each and every brochure so find the best deals.

Good luck, hope my ideas are helpful. Hawaii is indeed a paradise so have fun without spending too much as there are tons of ways to save by being alert.

suze

I also have never purchased a coupon book. There's so many ways to get discounts & good offers that are free.

carolyn

We went in June last year, and I did order a discounted Entertainment Book because it was late in the year for it. We saved way more than I paid for the book. I, too, use the local offers.

suze

I really think it depends on what you plan to do with your time. For me, I don't do those organized tours, luaus, etc. or eat at the kinds of restaurants that are usually the ones included in those books. So knowing your itinerary and daily agenda would help you figure out if it would be worth it for you and your family.

manytrips

Many thanks for all of your comments! I also always pickup brochures and booklets at all of the new locations we visit--I also find them very helpful. Since this is our first trip to Hawaii, I didn't know which would be better to do, so you have saved me some money to spend on other things.

ileen, I would never have thought about scrapbook coupons or using them. Since my husband also puts together a scrapbook of our trips, this would be a great idea.

dusty56438

Entertainment Book is good.

By March 1 the books will be about $20 including shipping. It does not take much to get your $20 back.

Polynesian Cultural Center has a $45 coupon.

Paradise Cove & Germaine's luaus have a 25% off for up to 4 adults.

Lots of coupons for good restaurants & attractions in the book.

You can also print 3 free coupons from their site (and if you have a second email address....). You have to use the coupons within 14 days of printing:

www.entertainment.com/freetrial

Lots of info. You can read some of the free magazines online including the ads & coupons.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

Order a free brochure for each island you are going to from Hawaii Visitors Bureau:

1-800-GOHAWAII

Kailani

The three day free trial is great to use for the Polynesian Cultural Center. I don't think there are coupons for the Big Island, but there are some in the brochures at the airport, primarily for activities (and you can do the condo lecture for free activities).

But, there are lots of free and cheap things to do on the Big Island. Here's a website I like http://bigislandonthecheap.com/ which also has a section for Oahu.

The King and Queen Shops at Waikoloa have wonderful free local Hawaiian music, hula, and craft and ukulele instructions most every day and evening. http://www.waikoloabeachresort.com/b...ns-Marketplace .

All the resorts are open to the public for beach access and having a drink or a meal, and there is often entertainment in the early evening.

Every town will have inexpensive local style dining.

If you get up to the North Kohala area, there is a lovely 6 hole golf course at King Kamehameha Park in Kapa'au. It costs $6.75 (I think that's the current rate) and on a clear day you'll have a view of Maui.

There is a free concert every month Sunday afternoon at the Hulihee Palace in Kona. The street is blocked for a nice craft fair. There are lots of affordable cafés along Alii drive. http://www.huliheepalace.org/visiting.htm

Talk Story at the Mauna Lani (Twilight at Kalahuipua'a) is on the Saturday closest to a full moon (but call to confirm). It is a magical evening on the surf's edge at an old plantation cottage by the ancient fishponds, and each month a great assortment of Hawaiian musicians play music, dance hula, and tell stories. It's very popular, free, and people bring picnic dinners. This program is led by Danny Akaka (the senator's son) who is the Mauna Lani's cultural director, and his wonderful wife who often hula dances.

Pu'ukohola Heiau, and Lapakahi are interesting and easily accessible historical parks which are free and great places for whale watching, snorkeling, and hiking. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/html...ical_park.html
(That website has lots of good links).

The petroglyph trails are all free. Most of the tours of coffee farms are free. I think the admission fee to the Volcano Park will cover the fee at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Place of Refuge within 7 days, so save your receipt. http://www.nps.gov/puho/planyourvisi...servations.htm

Look in the local paper for festivals and if you are going to be in the area, drop by for music, crafts, and street food. http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/index.html This website has calendar listings for all islands.

Even if you don't find coupons, there are lots of bargains to be had on the Big Island.

Moravecglobal

Be aware of West Maui arragont pr4icing. Maui News February 17 2010. Activity, restaurant prices are hurting visitors

A tourism executive said, "We haven't seen such revenue and visitor declines in Maui since we've been keeping records."

A fresh sign of the woes are being unleashed by a Maui economy mired in boom-time pricing marketing and the Great Recession.

Those vacationing on Maui are, unfortunately, not finding ways to reduce their restaurant and activities expenses once here. Visitor confidence in finding reasonably priced activities and restaurants in Lahaina/Kaanapali is exceptionally low.

Next year will not be any better than this year if the needs of visitors cannot be met.