One thing to know about Volcano Village area is that it can be colder and wetter than Hilo.

For lodgings in Hilo, inexpensive is Dolphin Bay Hotel (book direct and you can chose your own room). They all are large with a Japanese style tub/shower, fans instead of A/C which was okay in December, don't know about May but I think the trade winds are pretty constant. The rooms have louvered windows. Noisy frogs. I loved it!

I am not a fan of the "back by canal" hotel locations in Waikiki although can't comment specifically on Vive. There are many so-called renovated (aka lipstick on a pig) hotels with tiny rooms. If you go that rouge try to get at least a mountain view over the canal as opposed to staring at some else's apartment.

I would keep on checking for specials closer to your travel dates and see if something with at la partial ocean or Diamond Head view pops up.

E.g. next month I have a booking at the Aston Waikiki Circle (across the road from the ocean) partial ocean view under $200 a night all in, excluding parking. They have no pool hence a lower resort fee. I think there were some recent price drops because of the strike activity and folks cancelled their trips so I grabbed that on refundable hold.

If you go direct to the hotel website you often can find third night free, waived or reduced "resort" or "amenity" fees, free or reduce parking, etc.. closer to your dates.

You can use Uber in Honolulu but personally I would rather have a car. Driving is not difficult other than listening to Google Maps to be sure you don't turn the wrong way down a one-way street. And traffic, always traffic. Another reason to not stay in the middle of Waikiki but rather one end or the other!!

Vive is not "back by the canal" ... it is on Kuhio. One of the two busy main streets thru Waikiki.

Thanks for the answer about Kailua. Enjoy!

Kaimana is pretty great. Right at the end of Waikiki and has a private beach that locals love. Pet friendly, too. You're right across the street from a huge park with beautiful views of Diamondhead. I love the restaurant at Kaimana Beach Hotel, too. It's called Hau Tree. Great for brunch and right on the beach.

Did this trip happen already (the OP was from June)? Or are you still looking for information?

Not sure if s/he's still looking for info, but the OP followed up with this "Forgot to mention, this trip is late April, early May 2025."

mahalo janisj. i see that now.