I have been fortunate enough to go to Hawaii several times and lived there for four months at the end of 2022 into 2023. I was at the end of my rope with my job and took my show on the road incognito.
I have visited almost every island except Kauai and Molokai.
Each Island had its vibe for me. Expensive, touristy, inexpensive, better food, and of course, fishing. I do not need to go back to Maui or Lanai, as there was not much there for me. Maui is super expensive, and Lanai is a dot on the map that is extinct since they took the Dole factory and moved it to Oahu near the North Shore.
My choices come down to two: Oahu, as it is the least expensive, and the local transportation, and Kona for the fishing and friends. These are the two I spent the most time on, including my incongnito work trips.
Let’s start with my favorite, hands down, Kona! I was lucky enough to meet first mate Sue in my first week there, who introduced me to her fishing crew, and I never looked back. They were some of the most fun traveling days of my life to date out on that boat catching my dream fish, a 338 Marlin! The weight changes with each story, as it was such an EPIC day, and the official weight was 334 lbs, and we smoked it at Captain Tom’s.
It tasted like fishy, spicy jerky, and it was unforgettable, as you can see from my smile while reeling it in that day.
This is an absolute dream crew (makes me dream of going deep-sea fishing again)!
I was also able to find great, inexpensive food and happy hours. There was the big hotel on Ali Drive where I would crush local IPAs and Kona ahi tuna nachos by the pool overlooking the ocean. The Kona Brewery, where I could try all of their beers on tap and take a growler home. O’la Seltzer Brewery, where they made the best seltzers, including Lemongrass, which was my favorite drink while eating Ahi tuna. Willie’s Chicken serves the best chicken tenders (my favorite), and Da Shark Shack is a local dive bar where they’d show Oilers games for me and serve my favorite fish, Ono.
I would take the free trolley around town, which would drop me off at all my favorites.
Other than fishing and friends, here are just some of my favorites mentioned that keep me coming back to Kona.
No mistakes can be made visiting any of the Hawaiian Islands except saving a few bucks here and there. It all comes down to choice. I know people who love Maui, too. The road to Hana is stunning, but it was one and done for me, especially after Lahaina burned down and the politics and conspiracy theories that followed.
The historic town of Lahaina, the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, was damaged beyond recognition in the weeklong series of fires. A community plagued by a housing crisis and power struggles with the tourism industry was among the issues tested in the aftermath of the wildfire. Oddly enough, Oprah’s and the properties were untouched by the fires while they begged for donations to rebuild the Island. 🙄
Honolulu, Oahu, fits me best for many reasons. I have an Airbnb that I have stayed at several times for $35 a night or $1000 a month. I am able to catch the bus to Waikiki or the North Shore for $2 and find all of the GEMs.
My favorite ways to kill a day are to pack my hammock, beach chair, and beers, and take the bus to Waikiki or the North shore. I would wing it from there, hitting my favorites: Foodland poke from the deli, Yard house happy hour, and stopping in at the ABC store on the way to the beach with my hammock.
Cost-wise, this plan cannot be beat as a solo traveler, and I plan to keep it in my routine.
I would not be able to keep returning to paradise without cutting a few corners along the way.
Let me know if you need help saving a buck or two!!
