I had the fortune of a getaway to Oahu last week. It was an impulsive trip for therapeutic reasons, and I decided when I went I was going to spend as little as possible while still enjoying the beauty of the island.
My focus was to feel the aloha and appreciate the magic of Hawaii without spending a lot of cash. To save money, the trick is really to think like a local and not a tourist. I spent three days in Kailua, two days on the north shore, and my final two days in Waikiki. Here?s how I saved money on my week long adventure in Oahu.
 
 
Fly Off Season + Pack Only a Carry On
One of the biggest expenses, in addition to lodging, is actually getting there so the cheapest way to do it is to avoid summer and the holiday season and instead fly to Hawaii in the off season. I found a non-stop round trip ticket from San Francisco to Honolulu for less than $400 because I booked my trip for travel in October. Hawaii is in a tropical climate and the entire week I was there, it was still balmy and hot, and also much less crowded than it is in summertime. Also, save on those pesky $25 fees to check a bag each way by packing light! All you really need for a week long beach vacay are a few pairs of shorts, tank tops, a bathing suit, and flip flops, easy to pack in a carry on bag.  
Read the Local Guides
Every Hawaiian island has a ?This Week? publication and it?s filled with a lot of helpful information and also coupons for discount activities, this is really helpful if you...