Kona COSTCO saves big money on a vacation to the Big Island

A vacation to the remote island of Hawaii includes spending extra on food, drinks, and gasoline which all have to be flown in or shipped to the island.One way to save money is to buy your food, gas, and Hawaiian gifts from COSTCO. There is only one COSTCO on the Big Island and it is located between the Kona airport and Kailua-Kona town. The prices are cheaper than most of the stores and restaurants on the island and they carry a large selection of local products and gift items.

Depending on the season, you can find Hawaii grown pineapples, papayas, mushrooms, broccoli, lettuce, avocados, tomatoes, and ginger. So don’t miss the huge cold-room with fresh produce tucked away in the back of the store next to the bakery.  Other local Hawaii foods are available in the deli and bakery like poi, lau lau, taro bread, POG, fresh poke, Volcano wine, and local brewed Kona beer.  Depending on the luck of the local fishermen, you can find fresh caught ahi (tuna), mahi mahi, and ono as well as sashimi platters in the refrigerated counters.

Even if you are staying in a hotel without a kitchen, a trip to COSTCO will save you on snacks, drinks, water, and prepared meals.  Their food court serves pizza, hotdogs, wraps, chicken and beef bakes, and ice cream drinks.  On weekends, food demonstrators set up so many booths with food samples that locals call it a free buffet meal.

If you are looking for something to take  to those not lucky enough to be with you in Hawaii, COSCO has a large selection of Hawaii themed gifts and souvenirs.  At the front of the store they have a huge area dedicated to gift boxes of Hawaii chocolates, mac nuts, cookies, and snacks.  In the coffee section, you can find Kona coffee and in the center area you can find Hawaiian kids books, Hawaii history books and novels, Hawaiian music and moviess, and Aloha shirts.  If you don’t want to lug gifts back in your suitcase, you can fill Hawaii-labeled priority- mail flat rate boxes available from the Kona post office with goodies and send them back to the mainland.

COSCO's gas station has the cheapest gas on the island, so you can fill your rental car after driving around the island or before returning it to the airport, to save.

And if you need towels, beach chairs, bathing suits, camera supplies, memory sticks, batteries, camping equipment, surf or paddle boards, then COSCO is usually the cheapest place to find it. Wal-mart and Target are other stores on the island that have local items at reduced prices.

You have to be a member or join to shop at COSTCO. The store is tucked away above the Queen Kaahumanu Highway between the Kona airport and Kailua-Kona town. Turn on to Hina Lina Street and drive up to Maiau Street; turn right and follow the road until it veers to the right and you will see the large COSCO parking lot below on the left hand side.
The hours are Monday to Friday 10AM to 8:30PM (Business Member hours 10-11AM), Saturday 9:30AM to 6PM, and Sunday 10AM to 6PM.  The gas station opens at 6AM daily.

Kona COSTCO has an ATM, 1 hour photo service, bakery, food court, deli, fresh meat and produce depts, hearing aid center, optometrist and optical department, pharmacy, inkjet cartridge refill, gas station, and tire service center.