Hawaii on a Budget - 6/10/2014

Hawaii on budget? It's true, it exists and it all occurs on Oahu’s overlooked Waianae Coast, the island’s dry side, where sunshine, low-cost properties and uncrowded beaches make this one of Hawaii's best bets for affordable paradise living. Makaha and Waianae are located on Oahu’s leeward side, about an hour, or so, from Honolulu and Waikiki (depending on traffic) and are the greater Honolulu area's last remaining rural communities. Two-and-a-half years ago we relocated from the gloomy, gray and rainy Pacific Northwest to Makaha Valley Towers, resettling across the ocean in a move we have not regretted. At the Towers we have found affordable, Hawaii-on-a-budget-style living, all wrapped up in a tropical-resort-like setting. Being on the island's dry side, Waianae and Makaha are the “Palm Springs” of Honolulu, with plenty of sunshine and not much rain. The area affords a “desert island” sort of feel with constant daytime temperatures in the mid-80s and plenty of blue skies to match the blue Pacific waters lapping upon Waianae's shores. Hawaii on a budget can require compromise, a reduction in your dwelling’s square footage perhaps, or leaving your car on the mainland and getting around by bus, and probably a change in diet, and for sure some culture shock. However, if tropical sunshine and warm Pacific beaches are your life-long dreams, then the Waianae Coast is affordable the place to be!

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Cost of Living - 2/5/2008

I have lived in Waianae for 15 years. The cost of living here is high, due to the use of gas, traveling back and forth; and the prices for everyday items like toothpaste, soap, etc. Most people in Waianae will shop at Tamura's Supermarket and Waianae Store for groceries. Tamura's has great prices, as for Waianae Store - their sales are great! They also have a wonderful bakery and are famous for their poi (taro). Some of their prices are high though. As for household items, most people here will travel to Ewa (Kunia)city - Walmart. It is way more cheaper to buy these items at Walmart than in any Waianae store. We are in desperate need of a Walmart, K-Mart, or Target. Most people travel outside of Waianae to get food, clothing, household items, electronics, etc. There really is no place in Waianae that can provide for it's community, except Long's Drug. Long's Drug does have average prices and some prices are high depending on what it is. There pharmacy provides for most of the community in regards to medication. However, a Walmart is still cheaper and greatly needed which has everything you can think of.

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