smart to buy bottled water ahead of time?
 

Hey everyone!
I leave next week for Honolulu and am really looking forward to the trip!!
Just trying to figure out some details now, like - I heard someone say that groceries are so expensive on the islands and they suggested bringing paper goods, canned food, etc. for picnics or quick fixes in the hotel. So does anyone know if bottled water is really expensive as well? I assume so. Because that's actually one thing I'll be needing a lot of with all my hiking and activities I have planned!
Thanks.

Well that's ridiculous advice you've been given imo
:-)

Sure, some items are more expensive because (remember) most things must be brought in by ship. But some things are cheap, like local fresh fruit and vegetables.

Please believe, you do NOT need to haul your own water and canned goods! Sheez!!

I can live cheaply in Waikiki using a comination of Food Pantry (grocery store), St Germaine (bakery), the ABC Stores on most every corner (salads, cut up fruit, sandwiches, cold noodle salads, sushi, etc.), food court at Ala Moana Mall (hot meals to-go), plate lunch joints, and a few meals at inexpensive casual restaurants.

You can also shop at the Costco store on the north shore--if you're a member, that is.

If you buy your water at the hotel, as with any hotel in the world, the bottled water will be more expensive. Just go to the store--ABC, 7-Eleven, Safeway, Costco, whatever--and the water will be cheap.

Are you really just going to eat picnic style in your hotel room?

I would suggest eating some yummy plate lunches. That is what many of the locals eat.

I'm cheap--I'd just bring my water bottle and refill it every day from the sink in the hotel.

Think about what the airlines would charge you for your luggage being so overweight.

A case of water in your luggage will easily put you over your weight limit.

With the $50 fee, you would be adding over $2 to the price of each bottle of water.

Bottled water is NOT expensive if you buy it at a normal store.

I wouldn't want to shlepp a week's worth of water. The airlines are going to ding you big time w/the overweight charges--you won't be saving a cent. Head to a local supermarket and get what you need when you go.

Doesn't anybody drink tap water anymore?

Good for you, kopp!

My wife's taken to drinking (cheap) bottled water. However, I refill an empty bottle of hers, from the tap, and keep it in the refrigerator.

I still think paying for plain bottled water is bizarre....

Somebody just pointed out today...Evian backwords is Naive!!!!

Happygypsy,

You have made my day. This is more hilarious than a skit on Saturday Night Live or Mad TV.

I hope you don't invest in any stocks you learn about by eavesdropping!

HTTY

Saying something is more hilarious than Saturday Night Live really isn't saying much;-)

Not to mention that Honolulu has some of the cleanest water in the whole world! No chlorine, no flouride, very soft, and it comes from deep artesian wells. Bring a big bottle of water for your plane ride and refill it every morning from the tap!

bring some gas for the rental car too, it's expensive here and if you can squeeze a few rolls of toilet paper in your bag, bring it also. If you drink milk, bring that as milk is about double here then on the mainland, even at costco but you'd need ice. we do have cheap ice here, but it does melt quick.

If water is that big of a deal, buy a water filter that is like a straw. The technology is such that the filters take out very tiny particles. Get the right one, and it will even filter some viruses.

Or save a little room in your luggage for a Brita pitcher/ filter.

Still surprised that people are touting filters, etc., when told the tap water (like almost everywhere in the U.S.) is eminently potable, and especially good in Hawaii.
Bottled water is the biggest scam to ever hit the U.S. (unless you live where it is drinkable, but just tastes bad...)

This question is a joke, right? If someone is that concerned about the cost of a few bottles of water how can they even afford to take the trip in the first place?

No....I don't think it's a joke. in previous posts, happygypsy did say this is a budget oriented trip. HOWEVER.....probably the person who told happygypsy things are "so" expensive and suggested they bring paper goods & canned food was either exaggerating or playing a joke.

Hi Happygypsy, I have often seen "bad" travel advice. In fact the other day I read an article on USAToday Travel where an "expert traveller advisor" was advising everyone going to Europe to not take an ATM card. He/She strongly suggested they take all cash in Euro and said they should get the Euro in the states and to also take along Traveler Checks. Now I think I am safe to say 99% of our Fodorites would disagree with that.

You have been given some excellant advise here as to where to buy paper goods, canned foods, picnic food and bottled water. I agree, you do not want to be hauling all of this stuff on the plane to Hawaii with you.

Do follow the ideas and the shopping advice given here and you will be fine.
And do have a wonderful time in Honolulu, how could you not! Best regards.

I second kopp! Drink tap water.

I personally rarely buy bottled water, and usually do it just because I need a bottle to refill.

Especially if you are on a budget, please keep in mind: WATER IS FREE!

I heard car rentals are expensive in Hawaii. Should I just take my car with me?








:-D

You win, GoT. I fold!!

Purchasers of bottled water (in the US) have more dollars than they do sense.

Yup, I'd bring some gasoline too!

You never can tell with these hotel beds, so you probably ought to bring your own from home. And your fridge, to keep all that water cold in the room.

About tap water: if you lived where I do you'd know why I have filtered water--the taste of tap water is awful.

Flouride isn't added to the water in Hawaii?!? Yikes, I'd bring tap water from home vs. water with no flouride in it.

ABC stores have everything thing you'll need - cheap!

Some of these comments are funny to me. Not everyone in the states is provided with good drinking water. And even if you are provided with good drinking water you can still be exposed to parasites and bacteria at times. As for flouride - it is considered a poison to some folks in the Central NY area. We have certain counties here that will not flouride their water because their residents don't want it.
To each their own.
Annika

GoT...

You're such a :o) !!
:D =D>

annikany,
There was an article in E magazine some time ago stating that tap water in the USA is generally cleaner than bottled water.

The article stated that there is no real regulation of the bottled water industry, no standards that have to be met. It said that there have been several cases where even traces of...er...faeces was found in some of the bottled water..so...you know...to each his own indeed. :-&
This article was a couple of years ago so hopefully things have changed!

I never understand people taht go on vacation and feel the need to "bring" stuff with them. Water is not all the same and bottles water is not all the same. Just like a nything you have to read the labels. Certain store brands and brands are just filtered water. I do not drink tap water and have not for years and years. I feel that the water in my area is not safe to drink due to possible ground contamination. I also do not drink tap water when I travel, but I buy lots of it. If you can afford to go on vacation, you can afford to spend a few extra dollars and buy water if you need to.

Right now I am in Captiva and i would not drink the tap water here on a bet...it smells like the swamp water that it is. I don't even like showering in it. I have read that some people are so cheap that they will actually buy crystal light to flavor the tap water so it kills the taste. They "save" money by drinking tap water that they have further contaminated with artificial sweetner and artificial flavors...the foolish thing is I thing that the artificial crap may cost more than a gallon of good water.

GoT, just drive to Honolulu, and post a trip report. Let us all know if your puppy saw a camel ;)

interesting...we wash our hands with the water...and say our hands are clean. We bathe with the water and say we are clean.

But we won't drink it. :))

happygypsy, did you get your answer???

How much should I over-inflate my tires?

Are the waves choppier off the coast of California or in the middle of the Pacific?

What about hurricanes? Should I buy hurricane insurance in case a typhoon pops up on my drive over?

Should I fill my trunk up with gas? I don't think I can get 2,500 miles on one tank of gas.

Where do I stop to use the ladies room?

Are there any good diners along the way?






(sorry happygypsy, you have valid questions and we've hijacked your post)

ncgrrl- Flouride is added to water in some communities only to prevent dental cavities in children.

How old are you?
;-)

This was the funniest thread I have read in a while! Thanks for the chuckles everyone.
BTW – most bottled water sold as filtered water IS tap water. Aquafina = New Jersey tap water for a lot of the country!
But the best one (on more than one level) is the new one here called Oregon Rain. It is caught (supposedly) and bottled “without ever hitting the ground”

Good luck and happy travels!

>>>>
ncgrrl- Flouride is added to water in some communities only to prevent dental cavities in children.

How old are you?
>>>

Old enough to grow up with flourinated water. Young enough to have parents that didn't grow up with it. My teeth are thankful. In addition to the flourinated water, I also rinse with ACT (with fluouride) daily.

Some great advice here for budget travelers; I'll be bringing my car (with extra gas) and a fridge ;-)BUT . . . I've also heard that hotel rooms are terribly expensive in Hawaii, so I'm trying to decide between packing a tent--or an RV. I could probably fit the tent into my carry-on bag, but the RV might be a challenge:-)
I'll be there in 20 more days--not that I'm counting!