I believe a lot of visitors end up at Wal-Mart, and if you have the time that might be a good starting point. They will not have everything, it is likely you will need to go to a “regular grocery store” or Costco. They do have an extensive selection of souvenirs, but much is just imports or fakes but they are cheap if you just want something to take back home. Our Wal-Mart is at 75-1015 Henry Street.
Costco is a very good plan and should be made a priority if you are going to be here for more than a few days or if your party is large. They have many attractive prices but packages tend to be in bigger sizes or packed in multiples. However their prices for suntan oil, swimming gear, and some basic foods is really hard to beat. If you want videos, music, books from Hawaii -- it is hard to beat their selection and prices. You can get a rotisserie chicken for $6 bucks, a very large cooked pizza from the food court for $10 or also at their food court a hot dog with refillable soft drink for $1.50. If you like hot dogs and consider that a filling lunch, or if you like pizza and consider their pizza a filling supper -- I think you could justify the $50 membership solely on that.
Costco is familiar to most people visiting but if you have not heard of them they require a membership fee and you can join on-line. Their website (Costco on-line) says you can get a membership card in your mail in about a week, and the cost is $50 for a business or Gold Star member. Anyone can join as a Gold Star, a Business member card requires a copy of your business license, or a copy of your resale license or three pieces of business ID. If you purchase for re-sale, definitely you will need your re-sale certificate. Our Costco is at 73-5600 Maiau Street. Also see in these FAQ pages another entry or topic about costco “Costco -- How far away are you from Costco?”
Hint, if you have the time, you can get “day old bread” from the Love’s Bread Outlet at 74-5563 Kaiwi Street, they are closed Sunday’s and Wednesdays. If you buy enough, ask for a discount card, and when you fill it up you can get a loaf of bread free. They discount you for not taking a bag -- so bring your own or just take them without a bag to your car! As an example, we frequently find bread for $1.69 a loaf here that would be near or over $3.00 a loaf at other grocery stores. Buy -- what you need, take it back home, just freeze what you can’t eat at the present point in time, works good!
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The regular supermarkets.
A lot of our vacation renters seem to end up at SafeWay -- probably because they drive down from the house and it is easy to spot.
Probably not the least expensive place. You can get a “Club Card” by asking to get some items at reduced prices, but do that before you shop.
Our Safeway is at 75-1027 Henry Street
KTA is probably a better choice for lower prices. They have a website: KTA Kona Hawaii Website
Our KTA is at 74-5594 Palani Road
Foodland or Sack N Save is popular. You can obtain a discount “Maika’i Rewards” card just by asking -- but do it before you shop to take advantage of it.
Our Sack N Save is in the Lanihau Shopping Center (think next to the main Post Office or where the Bank of Hawaii or First Hawaiian Bank is) at 75-5595 Palani Road.
Long’s Drugs used to be considered too pricey for locals but recently they have become more competitive and often have sales on beer and other liquors. However for food, they won’t have everything but if you happen to have the time or know you’ll be by one, maybe worth your time. They do have an extensive selection of souvenirs.
Our Long’s is at 75-5595 Palani Road, same as above in the Lanihau Shopping Center (think next to the main Post Office or where the Bank of Hawaii or First Hawaiian Bank is).
Some example prices found in local newspaper advertisements...
Safeway
Ribeye Steak, or New York Steak, $5.49 pound with Club Card
Complete Salad Mixes (Fresh Express 10 - 13.9 oz.) $2.98 with Club Card (discount up to $3.71 each)
10 pound of Navel Oranges $4.99 with Club Card
Safeway Premium Breads, 22 oz. White or Wheat, Club Price $3.49 (discount up to 50 cents)
Foster Farms Variety Lunch Pack Lunchmeat, 9 - 12 oz., $4.29
Safeway 48 oz. cooking oil, $3.99 with Club Card
Purity Portuguese Sausage, 10 oz., $2.79 with Club Card
Russet Potatoes, $.99/pound, Club Price
KTA
Potatoes, 5 pound bag, $2.99
Pork Chops, $2.89/pound
Boneless/Skinless Chicken Thighs, $2.99/pound
Canned Libby’s Corned Beef, 12 oz., $3.49
2 Liter bottle of Coca-Cola, $1.59
Olive Oil, 25.5 oz., $9.49
Foodland or Sack n Save
Seedless Grapes, $1.59/pound with Maika’i Card
Best Yet Milk, Gallons, 2 for $9 with Maika’i Card
Wesson Cooking Oil, 48 oz., $2.99 with Maika’i Card
Rib Eye Steak, $5.79/pound with Maika’i Card
New York Steak, $6.99/pound with Maika’i Card
Boneless/Skinless Chicken Thighs, $2.99/pound with Maika’i Card
Deli Lunch Meats, Assorted, 12 oz., $3.99 with Maika’i Card
Farmer John Bologna, pound, $2.99 with Maika’i Card
Purity Portuguese Sausage, 10 oz., $2.39 with Maika’i Card
International Bagels, 13 oz., $3.49 with Maika’i Card
Hormel Spam, 12 oz., $2.19 with Maika’i Card
Grade A Eggs, Large, Dozen, 2 for $5.00 with Maika’i Card
Lipton Tea Bags, 100, $4.29 with Maika’i Card
Russet Potatoes, $1.19/pound with Maika’i Card
Carrots, 16 oz. bag, $1.19 with Maika’i Card
Romaine Lettuce, $1.69/pound with Maika’i Card
Sweet Onions, $2.19/pound with Maika’i Card
Long’s Drugs
Kellogg’s Special K Cereal, 12-14 oz. assorted, $3.19
Beer -- Budweiser, Coors, Miller Light, 30 12 oz. cans, $19.99
Garlic Salt, 11 oz., $2.19
Sanka or Maxwell House Instant Coffee, 8 oz., $4.99
Hormel Spam, 12 oz., $2.19
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, 64 oz., $3.59
Pepsi, 2 liters, $1.69
Hunt’s Canned Stewed Tomatoes, 14.5 oz., $1.39
Canned Healthy Choice Soup, assorted, 15 oz., $2.19
Dove Shampoo or Conditioner, 12 oz., $4.29
Aleve Pain Reliever, 24 tablets, $3.19
Oral-B Cross Action Toothbrush, $3.19
Luden’s Wild Cherry Throat Drops (cough drops), 30 count, $1.29
Lay’s Potato Chips, assorted 10.5 - 11 oz, 2 for $6.00
Costco
5 dozen eggs, $11.99
10 pounds of organic carrots, $6.99
Tomato Sauce, 6 cans, $4.79
Mild Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 5 pounds, $ 13.59
Hawaiian Salt, 5 pounds, $3.00
Bailey’s, 1 liter, $21.99
Baked Beans, canned, 6, $6.99
Boxed Hash Browns, 6 per pack, $6.19
Cooked pizzas in the food court, very big, about $10
Hot dog with soda (refills while there) in the food court, $1.50