Comprehensive Guide To Hawaii Freebies And Deals Hotel Perks Dining Discounts And Local Promotions

Hawaii has become an increasingly attractive destination not just for its natural beauty and cultural experiences, but also for the abundance of freebies and promotional offers available to visitors and residents alike. With tourism fluctuations in recent years, hotels, restaurants, and retailers across the islands have introduced unprecedented incentives to attract customers. This guide explores the various freebies and deals available in Hawaii, ranging from complimentary hotel nights and room upgrades to dining discounts and special promotions.

Hotel Freebies and Discounts

Hawaii's hospitality industry has responded to changing tourism patterns by offering some of the most generous hotel deals in recent history. With only two-thirds of hotel rooms booked, properties have introduced unprecedented incentives to attract guests. Joseph Toy, president and chief executive of Hospitality Advisors LLC, a hotel-industry consultant, noted that these represent "the steepest discounts we've seen since we started tracking the industry."

The combination of direct room discounts and additional incentives creates exceptional value for travelers. Hawaii's average daily room rate fell 12.4 percent to $189 in the first quarter, resulting in a 23.1 percent drop in hotel revenues statewide. In response, hotels have developed creative packages that go beyond simple price reductions.

Comprehensive Hotel Packages

Several hotel chains have introduced all-inclusive packages that provide exceptional value. Continental Airlines offered air and hotel packages from Outrigger and OHANA Hotels & Resorts Hawaii starting as low as $889. These packages included round-trip airfare, bonus miles, hotel taxes, a complimentary night's stay, daily breakfast for two, and a room upgrade. This offer was valid for travel through December 17, 2010, requiring booking by July 3.

Liberty Travel provided another attractive option with a six-night package at the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel in Kauai. Priced at $415 (excluding airfare), the package included a midsize car rental, one free night at the hotel, complimentary stays and meals for children aged 12 and under, and a 2-for-1 Luau & Aloha coupon book. This promotion was available for travel between July 1 and January 2, 2011.

Unique Hotel Incentives

Beyond standard packages, Hawaii hotels have introduced distinctive incentives to differentiate themselves. Some properties have offered extraordinary perks such as the use of a $200,000 Bentley convertible or a Nintendo Wii. These creative additions demonstrate the lengths to which hotels are willing to go to attract guests during periods of reduced tourism.

The concept of "adding value" has become central to Hawaii's hospitality marketing strategy. Rather than simply reducing rates, hotels focus on enhancing the overall guest experience through complimentary amenities and experiences. This approach has become increasingly common since 2007, with incentives accelerating in recent years.

Restaurant and Dining Deals

Hawaii's dining scene offers numerous opportunities for visitors and locals to enjoy meals at reduced costs or with complimentary offerings for children. Various establishments have implemented kid-friendly policies and weekday specials that make dining out more affordable for families.

Free Meals for Children

Several restaurants in Hawaii offer complimentary meals for children, making family dining more economical. Ryan's Grill provides free meals for children aged 12 and under on Sundays. Located at Ward Centre (1200 Ala Moana Blvd.), this offer allows families to enjoy a meal together without additional costs for the younger members.

Auntie Pasto's offers multiple opportunities for families to save. At their Beretania Street location, children aged 10 and under eat free on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Kunia location extends this offer to Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well. These promotions provide flexibility for families to plan their dining experiences around their schedules.

Gyotaku, with locations on King Street, Niu Valley, and Pearl City, offers free meals for children aged 10 and under after 2 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. This timing works well for families seeking later dining options or those combining meals with afternoon activities.

Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant at Pearlridge Shopping Center provides free meals for children from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Located at 98-1005 Moanalua Road, this offer combines a meal with the potential for dessert, creating an appealing experience for families.

Weekday Dining Promotions

In addition to kid-friendly offers, Hawaii's restaurants provide various weekday promotions that benefit all customers. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf locations offer a free espresso shot with the purchase of a cup of coffee on Monday mornings. This promotion is available until 11 a.m., though shops typically open between 5:30 and 6 a.m., providing an early morning perk for commuters and early risers.

Moviegoers can enjoy Regal Cinemas' Tuesday promotion, which offers a free small popcorn with matinee ticket purchases. This promotion is available at three locations: Dole Cannery, Windward Stadium, and Pearl Highlands Stadium. Combining dining with entertainment creates an affordable outing option for residents and visitors.

Retail Promotions and Loyalty Programs

Hawaii's retail sector has introduced various incentive programs to encourage customer loyalty and increase spending. These programs range from immediate credits to long-term percentage discounts, providing value for shoppers across different price points.

Loyalty Credit Programs

Several retailers offer store credit based on purchase amounts, incentivizing customers to spend more while providing future savings opportunities. In My Closet, with locations at Kahala Mall and Pearlridge Center, provides a $25 credit toward the next purchase after spending $500. This encourages repeat business while rewarding significant purchases.

Splash Hawaii at Ala Moana Center offers a similar program, providing a $25 credit after $250 in purchases. This lower threshold makes the offer accessible to a broader range of customers while still encouraging increased spending.

Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii at Ward Warehouse rewards purchases of locally made gifts with a $20 gift card after spending $200. This promotion supports local artisans while providing customers with an incentive to explore Hawaii's unique cultural products.

Long-Term Discount Programs

Some retailers offer more permanent discount structures that provide ongoing value to loyal customers. Riches Kahala at Kahala Mall provides a 10 percent discount on every future purchase for life after an initial $500 purchase. This creates a strong incentive for customers to establish a long-term relationship with the store.

Shasa Emporium at Kahala Mall offers a 10 percent discount on the next purchase after spending $600. While not as permanent as Riches Kahala's program, this still provides significant savings for customers making substantial purchases.

Salon and Beauty Offers

Hawaii's beauty and wellness industry has introduced various promotions to attract new clients and encourage trial of premium services. These offers provide opportunities for customers to experience high-end treatments at reduced costs or as complimentary additions to other services.

W Salon at Ala Moana Center has implemented several attractive promotions for clients interested in premium hair care. With the purchase of a haircut or chemical service, clients who have never tried Kerastase or Shu Uemura treatments (worth up to $40) can receive one for free. This allows customers to experience luxury products without additional cost.

The salon also offers a complimentary highlight enhancement (worth $75) with any haircut for clients who have not previously colored their hair with the salon. This promotion provides an incentive for new clients to try coloring services while reducing the financial barrier to entry.

Special Events and Promotions

Hawaii hosts various special events and promotions throughout the year, offering unique opportunities for both residents and visitors to enjoy complimentary products and exclusive experiences.

National SPAM® Musubi Day

National SPAM® Musubi Day, celebrated on Friday, August 8th, represents one of Hawaii's most unique food promotions. Participating L&L Hawaiian Barbecue locations offer free SPAM® Musubi between 12 PM and 2 PM. This limited-time promotion allows visitors and locals to sample Hawaii's favorite snack at no cost.

The first 100 customers in line at each location receive an exclusive National SPAM® Musubi Day sticker sheet, adding collectible value to the promotion. Some locations enhance the experience with entertainment and additional deals, though specifics vary by location.

For those interested in branded merchandise, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue offers exclusive National SPAM® Musubi Day collectibles, including a new shirt and tote bag available for a limited time. These items allow fans to commemorate the celebration beyond the actual event day.

The promotion has significant scale, with over 6,200,000 SPAM® Musubi sold annually across all L&L locations, demonstrating the cultural and culinary significance of this simple yet popular Hawaiian snack.

Honeymoon and Special Occasion Considerations

Many travelers wonder whether mentioning special occasions such as honeymoons can result in complimentary upgrades or additional perks. Experiences in Hawaii vary significantly, with some guests receiving unexpected benefits while others report no special treatment.

Mixed Experiences with Honeymoon Mentions

Online forums reveal a range of outcomes for guests who mention honeymoon status during their hotel stays. Some travelers report receiving complimentary upgrades and special amenities when hotels are aware of their special occasion in advance. For example, one guest at the Hyatt Resort on Kauai received an upgraded room to an upper floor with mountain view in a private and quiet area of the hotel.

However, other experiences have been less positive. One hotel employee explicitly stated that while they appreciate guests choosing their property for special occasions, they provide only the room that was reserved and paid for. Another guest reported a particularly negative experience at the Sheraton Kauai, where they didn't receive the requested room type with a queen or king bed and had to threaten to leave to get appropriate accommodations.

These mixed experiences suggest that while mentioning special occasions might occasionally result in unexpected perks, travelers should not expect or feel entitled to complimentary upgrades. The best approach appears to be polite and discrete inquiries made directly with hotel staff, preferably at check-in when the property has availability to accommodate such requests.

Conclusion

Hawaii offers a diverse array of freebies and deals across multiple categories, from comprehensive hotel packages to dining discounts, retail promotions, and special events. The hospitality industry's response to tourism fluctuations has created exceptional value for travelers, with unprecedented incentives including complimentary nights, room upgrades, and unique experiences.

Restaurant promotions focus particularly on family-friendly offerings, with numerous establishments providing free meals for children on specific days. Retailers have developed both short-term credit incentives and long-term discount programs to encourage customer loyalty. Beauty and wellness providers offer complimentary premium treatments with select services, while special events like National SPAM® Musubi Day provide unique cultural experiences.

For travelers considering whether to mention special occasions such as honeymoons, experiences vary widely. While some guests receive unexpected upgrades, others report no special treatment. A polite and discrete approach appears to be the most effective strategy.

As Hawaii continues to adapt to changing tourism patterns, visitors and residents alike can benefit from the abundance of freebies and promotional offers available across the islands. By taking advantage of these opportunities, travelers can experience all that Hawaii has to offer while maintaining budget-friendly approaches to accommodation, dining, and activities.

Sources

1. Time is right to visit Hawaii where deals are good even outrageous
2. Freebies & Free Nights in Tahiti, Hawaii & More
3. Hawaii - freebies for mentioning honeymoon?
4. Hawaii Steals and Deals
5. National SPAM® Musubi Day