Hawaii it's great. Expensive but great. The exchange rate, the hotelsbars and restaurants.
But I have some invaluable advice for reduce the cost of your Hawaiian vacation and it's as easy as ABC.
If you've been to Hawaii, you'll know what I'm talking about. ABC is a chain of 60 convenience stores. You can't miss them. There are 40 alone in a two-kilometer stretch of Waikiki. Literally on every corner, that's not an exaggeration.
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They sell EVERYTHING. Souvenirs, snacks, hot meals, salads, cut fruit, alcohol, beachwear, toiletries, coffee, clothing and all for less than you'll find anywhere else in Hawaii.
After a few days in Waikiki, the $10 beers, $15 cocktails and $20 burgers really start to add up. If you're traveling as a family with a constant demand for drinks and snacks, your vacation budget will start to look like a mortgage in Sydney.
Look, it's not fun if you don't have a Mai Tai at the Royal Hawaiian at sunset or experience a luau at a beachfront hotel, but for those times when you simply need to refuel or refresh yourself, ABC stores are essential.
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Here's an idea of what you can expect to pay in US dollars
- FOOD AND DRINK: a six-pack of 500 ml spring water $7.49, $8.29 for a sandwich; Bacon and eggs with fried potatoes $10.49; Hamburger and fries $11.99; $2.29 for a hot dog; six cans of Coke for $6.99.
- ALCOHOL: 12 cans of Heineken slim for $21.99; two cans of pre-mixed Pina Colada or Mai Tai for $11; individual glasses of wine $3; Jack Daniel's and Coke premix 2 for $11.
(For comparison, a gourmet sandwich at the popular Cheesecake Factory costs $18.95, a classic burger costs $19.95, and a bottle of Fijian water costs $6.50).
- SOUVENIRS AND BEACH ITEMS: T-shirts 4 for $20; mask and snorkel set $15; Parasol $20; bodyboard $30.
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If you travel to the other Hawaiian Islands, you'll find 12 ABCs on Maui, five on the Big Island of Hawaii, and three on Kauai. There are even eight in Las Vegas, as Vegas has the largest population of Hawaiians outside of Hawaii.
The first ABC store opened in Waikiki in 1964 and the chain is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
They were originally called Mr K after their founder, Japanese-American businessman Sidney Kosasa. He later changed the name to ABC because he thought it was easier to remember.
He was right about that. ABC. Don't forget it. Your wallet will thank you.
John Walsh was executive producer of The Nine's travel series Getaway from 1999 to 2024.
