We just got back from a trip to Hawaii and I thought the food was very expensive. Even the grocery stores are expensive, so don't plan on saving too much by doing that. We did get some breakfast things for our kids (cereal and milk) and yes, that's a less expensive route.
In Oahu, I would splurge for Alan Wong's. Expensive but worth it. In Maui, we didn't find one "great" place to eat. We ate at all the recommended restaurants such as Longhi's, Pacifico, Kimo's.... but all were disappointing and expensive. Most meals are a la carte and entrees were anywhere from $24-50. Our best meal was at a small Chinese place and our bill was around $40 for the four of us, with leftovers.
We went out to breakfast a few times and for the 4 of us (2 being kids' meals), our breakfasts were about$40-50.

Aloha;

This is our method of eating cheap in Hawaii. We go to Hawaii frequently, 1-2 times a year.

Breakfast:

Coffee, papayas, macadamia nuts and muffins (or banana bread) on the lanai. Cost about $3-5.

Get the 1 lb bag of no-name mac nuts at a supermarket or ABC store, way cheaper than Moana Loa nuts. We have had the most wonderful banana bread in Hawaii. HMMMM is it because banana's grow there? I am not surprised that watermelon is outrageously expensive. It is not a "Hawaiian food". Sub mango or pineapple if you choose.

Lunch;

Get a mixed plate special outside of your hotel. Two scoops of rice, macaroni salad and teriayki or kalua pig or mahi. YMMMMMMM I can't wait to go back. Cost: About $15-20

Dinner: Any nice resterant: We usually order one full entree and one or two appetizers, a bottle of wine, and one dessert. Cost: $100-120 depending on the wine. Skip the wine and cut the price in half.

Our favorites on Maui: Roy's (also on Oahu, BI and Kaui): don't miss this place and don't let them send you to Nicolina's next door. You must have the chocolate souffle. We sometimes go there after dinner at other places just for the c. s. and a glass of red wine. We also sometimes skip the entre altogether here just order 3-5 appetizers. They are all so wonderfully done. Barefoot bar: relatively cheap eats with live entertainment every night. Aloha Mixed Plate, you get the same food (not nearly as much, lol) as at the Lahina Luau next door). Also you can see the cast members come and go, they dress over at the mixed plate. And it's on the ocean. Jacques, great sashimi for lunch and awesome chocolate mousse.

Finally while on Oahu try the McDonalds for breakfast. Get it to go and carry it to the beach or park. I can hear everyone out there screaming heresy, but wait. They serve portugese sausages, rice, and saimen at MACs in Hawaii for breakfast, ymmmmmmm. Trust me at least try the sausages and rice with your eggs. Have fun

Aloha

Agreeing w/the above poster. We did Oahu cottage rental last Sept. - ate well and didn't find prices to be THAT outrageous. Breakfast cooked ourselves for eating on the lanai - bacon, eggs, rice and FRESH PINEAPPLE - oh my! Lunch on the road - either wrap up some leftovers for picnic (augmented by short and inexpensive grocery store stop) or plate lunch from L&L Drive In or lunch-trucks on the road. Dinner in restaurant or, better yet, fresh fish from the beach grilled on our lanai. We were there 10 days and didn't spend over $400.00 for food, and that included our beer-drinking. 'Course, it made a difference that we didn't find it necessary to have "gourmet" meals, and had our own kitchen and beachfront lanai, which made all the meals eaten there special and delicious.....

When my wife and I went to Maui last year we bought an "Entertainment Book" for Hawaii on line and ate almost every meal 2 for 1.
The trick is, if you have an Entertainment Book for your area you you can use that card also, because it looks the same.
Happy cheap eats!!!

Dana I am not trying to insight hostility here but you really don't know what you are talking about. Perhaps you picked a place like the LeMer(Hotel Restaurant) ($63) there are not a lot of these places. Look at zagats prices it's there in black in white for you. This should be good news to you, you are doing something very wrong when you travel if you come up with those other numbers. I am sure LeMer is great but isn't that a bit like ordering Lasagna in China? ...I wouldn’t. We are saturated with fine French Restaurants in NYC.

I lived on Oahu for 3 years made frequent trips to the outer islands, go back each year. I just don't see what you are talking about. I was working as a professional chef there in the mid 90's. We use to go to Maui for a $15 dollar (1 signature dish) dinner at Avalon. This is a restaurant that appeared in gourmet/bon appetit magazine 4-6 times that year. Now the signature dish is a whopping $20 (pulled off web menu) at Avalon. Alan Wong's is nationally recognized and a drink, appetizer and dessert will run you $48. Roy's serving up similar style Asian and European infused food comes to the same. Roy Yamagucchi was on the pioneers of this kind of fusion, his restaurants are on all of the islands. I have never spent over 100 for two people and I usually spend less.

So good news Dana you don't know what you are talking about. Melinda Trout Meadows Ranch sounds like you might be from an inexpensive part of the mainland? That has to be rough when you might get things very cheap at home. Lenore don’t want to mislead you either I know Coral Gables and West Palm Have Hawaii prices you should compare at the Zagat’s website to see if they are what you are use to also.

Cherly Z I am cracking up. Just how do you expect to run to your husband after all of those malasadas? LOL. I am right behind you love love love Leonard’s.

Other places I like on Oahu are Won kee for Dungess Black Bean Crab, Legends Seafood for whatever you want but I like the shrimp with warm butter/honey walnuts. Kincaids for mainland style seafood with options for those of us that are just being nice to our guest that want something without soy sauce or ginger!….silly guests. Great Asian food here Lenore I suggest you explore.
China Town Oahu a must and if you only have one choice I say legends seafood. Don't expect quiet secluded evening this place has been packed any night I have ever been there and the dinning room large. There is a seafood restaurant and a vegitarian restauarant.

I have to agree with Sarah, I live here on Oahu and can always find a reasonable bite to eat. (On Maui, however, I have a hard time.) You should try to shop at the big chains outside of Waikiki if you are buying your own groceries--last night the tourist in front of me at Safeway was going on and on about how much money he was saving there as opposed to the Food Pantry.

For nicer meals you can try www.alohachefs.com, which is what I use to decide what to eat ahead of time.

{munching on a pineapple for breakfast as I write this}

topping for jessica

jessica must be pretty dumb if she can't find this herself.

this comes up a lot so I am bringing it up.