Hi
I'm going to Oahu for the first time and everyone is bugging me out on how expensive food is there. My travel companions are actually taking food in boxes with them because they claim is so outrageous to go to the supermarkets. Where to go? Is it that bad? (We are staying in a condo so can cook our meals). Also, where to shop to bring home gifts? Thanks in advance.

I didn't remember the prices of food but I will tell you if you think you are going to paradise, think again. Honolulu is like Chicago. It is a big city by the water. Maybe I didn't discover the paradise part of the island but I was not impressed. Maui was fantastic!

I live on Oahu.....prices are not that outrageous! If you are staying in a condo, just shop at Safeway or Foodland (use their membership card, it's free, for discount). If you are staying in a hotel, do a search on "Cheap Eats Oahu" on this board and you will find a lot.

It depends on what you buy. Prices are not bad for local stuff like fresh fruit, fish, etc. We usually get fresh fish and end up spending less than $10 for groceries for one dinner for 2 people. Beef seemed more expensive compared to the mainland. Cereal was pretty expensive, about $6 a box for the kind I buy. I think it just boils down to this - stuff that has to be brought from the mainland, expect to pay 25-50% more. Papayas will seem cheap compared to mainland prices.

Where on Oahu are you staying?

If you are truly going to cook. I would only bring spices. Like the above poster stated the island has grocery stores and most prices are reasonable.There are many restaurants to eat at that are local low cost, and there is subway and fast food.

Just a note on Oahu , we visted 3 islands and loved them all for what they offer. Oahu is very nice , the weather is the best of the islands and the feel for me was very Hawaiian, just some what crowded. But hey it is a slice of paridise so we all want to go there,and it is thank God American soil. nick

There are plenty of inexpensive places to eat: Zippy's, Subway, Rainbow Drive-in,Patty's, etc. Also, you can get sushi at a discount after 3:00 at Shirokiya in the Ala Moana Shopping Center.

Forget about Yvonne's very parochial comment since she obviously never bothered to venture outside the Honolulu city limits..there is PLENTY to do and see on the island and it certainly is NOT like Chicago in any way, shape, or form, save perhaps some of the traffic.
I wouldn;t say a word to your "friends" and just let them schlepp all their food along...you can smile to yourself when they feel kinda stupid later.
Gifts..depends on what you want..there are stores everywhere and you can also go to Hilo Hattie's outlet warehouse. Enjoy Oahu..after all, they don't call it "the gathering place" for nothing.

I agree with Intrepid - I usually split my time between Oahu & Maui. I stay in condos & make some of my own meals. I got a Safeway card years ago to save some money on groceries. There is a lot to do & see on Oahu, so don't limit yourself to the Waikiki area. I also like Hilo Hatties for gifts & souvenirs. Another good place is the Internationl Marketplace Bazaar. Aloha!

Thank you all for the great advice. For the one who asked where I'm staying, I think it's near the Poly. Cutl. Ctr. I'll be at Safeway and Hilo Hatties. Thanks again.

Sam's or Costco are great deals too.

For eating out, and for some activities like dinner cruises, etc, get an Entertainment Hawaii book. There are 2 for 1 eats and more.
www.entertainment.com
They run $40 normally, but if your trip is prior to Nov.1, 2003 you can get the 2003 edition for $10+S&H.
I always use one, but we ALSO stay in a condo with kitchen & bring some foods like cereal, coffee, etc. in a suitcase!

To Becky:
You must be kidding or you are ridiculous. You bring food to Hawaii in a suitcase? You are going on vacation, I assume, and you gotta bring food in a suitcase? They sell coffee and cereal in Hawaii. Is the extra dollar or two going to break you? How much money are you going to spend capriciously? Is an extra buck gonna dent your wallet? If it is , you should stay home and save a bunch.It is to laugh.

We're in Oahu a week ago. We wanted to apply for a membership card at Safeway but they ran out of cards. Was told we could return 4 days later to do so. As we stood in line to pay, I asked a lady in front of me whether I could use her card. She replied, "No problem." When I thanked her, she said, "God bless you." Indeed God shld bless her for helping us saved $40!

Prices of fruits, veggies and meat are relatively inexpensive in Chinatown. We could buy a good size, sweet and fragrant pineapple for only $2! 3 papayas for $1. If you're keen to cook seafood, there's a wide selection to choose too.

Another place you can do your shopping is at the Aloha Stadium. You can go to the swap meet on Sat, Sun and Wed from 6am to 3 pm. I bought a Hawaiian shirt set for my son for $7.50 and the shops at Waikiki were selling for $10-$20. T-shirts were selling like 10 for $20.