Like the rest of my saving money tips for Hawaii visits, this one is fairly obvious yet astonishingly overlooked. The quickest way to max out your meal expenditures is hit a high-end restaurant for dinner. Of course, it's a lovely way to conclude the day. But for the budget minded, lunch at that same restaurant is a far, far better option. On Oahu, Orchids at the Halekulani, for example, has a fine prix fix lunch menu that changes regularly in order to attract the business lunch crowd. L'Uraku, a nice Japanofrench spot in Honolulu, has a "Weekender Lunch" prix fix that is limited (green salad as an app kinda sucks) but wickedly affordable. Alan Wong's Pineapple Room, his casual eatery in Ala Moana Center, has great lunch options like chili-seared monchong. and the mid-day meal at the Hualalai Grill by Alan Wong is perhaps the best high-end lunch deal on the Big Island. Lunch at the Pineapple Grill in Kapalua May let's diners take full advantage of the stunning ocean vistas, not to mention a solid selection of entrees. All of these lunches should save you at least 40% off the dinner meal price. True, many top notch restaurants do not serve lunch. All the Roy's Restaurants open for dinner only, for example. But fear not as there is always a superb lunch option open and, of course, lunch is a great time to be indoors. Only mad dogs and Englishmen...particularly in Hawaii.

Related Links: Money Saving Tips 1,2,3,4

—Alex, 02/02/07