Kamaʻāina Deals: Culture on the Cheap

Kamaʻāina Deals: Culture on the Cheap

Being a local has perks. Here’s how to take the keiki to Oʻahu’s best spots for free or close to it. Carry a photo ID with a Hawaiʻi address, that’s your key to kamaʻāina pricing everywhere.

Free museum Sundays

• Honolulu Museum of Art — free for Hawaiʻi residents on Family Sunday (3rd Sunday each month, presented by Bank of Hawaiʻi): keiki art hunts, activities, and entertainment, theme changes monthly. And kids 18 and under are free every day. Kamaʻāina adults $10, keiki (3–12) $6.
• Bishop Museum — free on Kamaʻāina Sunday (usually the 2nd Sunday of the month).

Kamaʻāina rates worth knowing

• Waikīkī Aquarium — kamaʻāina $10 adult, $6 keiki (6–12). Annual kamaʻāina pass $40; family pass $80 (two adults + up to six keiki), pays for itself in a few visits.
• Hawaiʻi Children’s Discovery Center — $12 kamaʻāina (vs $15 general).
• Honolulu Zoo — kamaʻāina rate available.

Always free

• Public libraries — story times, programs, AC, and a summer reading challenge. The best free standing date on the island.
• Royal Hawaiian Center (Waikīkī) — free keiki hula, lei making, ʻukulele.

Tips

• Buy the family/annual pass for the spot you visit most; one or two trips and it’s paid off.
• Stack free days: plan the museum trip for its free Sunday.
• Ask at the desk, many places have a kamaʻāina rate that isn’t posted online.