Costco is obviously one of the first stops for many Hawaii visitors, for good reason. With food costs among the highest in the country and restaurant prices also high, stocking up at Costco has become part of the Hawaii travel playbook, just as it is for residents. But there’s more to the story than just groceries.
Costco plays an outsized role in how travelers plan, budget, and experience Hawaii, from rental cars to resort stays and even airline gift cards. For locals, Costco becomes a popular spot for spontaneous meetups with friends and neighbors.
Ask almost any repeat visitor to Hawaii, and they’ll tell you that the first stop after picking up the rental car is often Costco. Whether you’re in Kona, Kahului, Lihue, or near Honolulu Airport, the routine is familiar. Load up the cart with fruit, drinks, snacks, wine, beach gear, and enough poke and other pre-made foods to make the next few meals easy. It’s not just about saving money, though that’s a big part of it. It’s about convenience, predictability, as well as having the freedom to avoid restaurants for every meal.
Condos, timeshares, and many hotels in Hawaii make it easy to eat in. Many visitors now choose to dine out very little, perhaps just a few times each trip, and do the rest on their lanai with something from Costco. One longtime reader put it this way: “The best part of a Costco run is not having to wait 90 minutes for a restaurant table with cranky kids.”
Costco’s gas stations typically offer some of the lowest fuel prices in Hawaii, along with credit card rewards. And since you’re going shopping anyway, it’s often one of the easiest ways to conveniently save on your trip. As far as we know, the only Costco in Hawaii without a gas station is Hawaii Kai on Oahu.
Veteran travelers know each warehouse has its own vibe and amenities. The Iwilei Costco, located near Honolulu Airport, is one of the busiest in the country. Weekends can feel like a contact sport there, and isn’t for the faint of heart. Parking is tight, lines stretch out the door, and you need aisle-navigating skills to shop. But the payoff? Selection and local finds make the effort worth it.
The Hawaii Kai Costco offers a calmer alternative. Kapolei Costco, located on Oahu’s west side, is a favorite for visitors staying in Ko Olina, where parking is easier.
Maui’s Kahului Costco, conveniently located between the airport and resort areas, is nearly a mandatory stop for arriving travelers. The Big Island’s Kona and Hilo warehouses see steady visitor traffic. On Kauai, the Lihue location is a go-to stop on the way to both Poipu and Princeville.
Each warehouse offers a slightly different selection. Some travelers hunt for taro chips, lau lau, poke, island-made cookies, or leis. Others are just grateful for beverages and sunscreen that won’t break the budget. One reader shared, “Kona Costco had everything we needed for two weeks. We were in and out in 30 minutes and didn’t have to eat out again unless we wanted to.”
Beyond the warehouse walls, Costco has quietly become one of the most influential players of all in Hawaii vacation planning. Costco Travel packages often include deeply discounted rates at high-end resorts, bundled with extras like daily breakfast, resort credits, and car rentals. And their car rentals are frequently the most affordable go-to option available and include two drivers at no added cost. Many readers say these perks alone have made the difference between being able to afford Hawaii or not.
We’ve heard from readers who booked a stay at a luxury resort, such as Grand Wailea, and received thousands of dollars in added value, including spa credits, upgraded rooms, and Costco Shop Cards, while still spending far less than they would have by booking directly. Others use Costco Travel to book rental cars months in advance, then re-check prices frequently and rebook when they drop.
One reader told us, “We booked our trip to Kauai through Costco Travel and got more than we ever expected: nicer room, no resort fee, and rental car included.”
Another reader reported booking multiple Hawaii trips through Costco Travel: “Our Grand Wailea stay came with a $500 dining credit, spa passes, and a $357 gift card. The same trip would have cost us $2,000 more booking direct.”
If you haven’t read it already, see our article on Costco’s growing role in Hawaii travel, including gift cards and bundled resort perks.
Another area where Costco has carved out influence is in discounted travel gift cards. Many visitors have purchased Alaska or Southwest Airlines gift cards at their mainland Costco stores, saving 10 percent or more before even booking their flights. Others use the Costco Visa card to earn percentage cash back on travel and dining, then apply those rewards toward their Hawaii trip.
One reader asked, “Can you really use Alaska gift cards to book Hawaiian flights post-merger? I tried, and it worked for me when booking online through Alaska.” At times, when available, island-bound travelers have also found significant Southwest Airlines gift card savings at Costco, making travel from their mainland gateways or interisland trips more affordable. Whether these deals will return anytime soon, we can’t say. However, some travelers now check Costco for airfare strategies before searching anywhere else.
Thousands of actual Beat of Hawaii reader comments mention Costco. Some celebrate the poke and pineapple. Others offer survival tips, such as arriving right when the store opens or before the lunch crowd arrives. Or simply airline, car rental, accommodation, and packages. One reader told us, “We were shocked at how many visitors were at the Kona Costco. It felt like the airport baggage claim had just emptied into the meat aisle.”
Another reader shared, “I go to Hawaii for beaches and beauty, not to fight for a parking space and a 20-pack of eggs. But I get why some people do it.” Then there’s the purely practical side: “Without Costco, we couldn’t afford to bring our whole family every year. Period.”
Not everyone agrees. One visitor wrote, “Why fly 3,000 miles just to shop at the same store you have at home? That’s not travel, that’s relocation.” And yet another comment pointed out how vital the stop has become: “After we get our rental car, the first place we hit is Costco. Stock the condo, grab beach towels and snorkel gear, and we’re good to go.”
More visitor reactions can be found in our earlier article on Hawaii Costco finds visitors love.
For all the talk about over-tourism and pricing out the average visitor, the role of Costco continues to come up in reader comments. The ability to reduce food costs, offset fees with package perks, and avoid overpriced tours has helped many travelers justify their return trips, even as Hawaii has become harder to afford.
Some visitors now structure their entire trip around Costco. Which island has the best resort deals through Costco Travel? Where can you find the least chaotic parking lot? Can you purchase airline gift cards in advance and use them later? These aren’t fringe strategies anymore. They’re central to Hawaii travel planning for a growing segment of visitors.
As one reader put it bluntly: “If Costco ever pulled out of Hawaii, we’d stop visiting.”
Hawaii’s relationship with tourism is still evolving, and travelers are adapting. Whether you’re staying in a $ 1,000-per-night resort or a reasonably priced condo rental, with a Costco rotisserie chicken in the fridge, the strategies are converging. Visitors want to feel like they’re getting value, not just paying more for less. And for now, Costco continues to deliver that value in a way few others seem to.
Next time you roll your oversized cart through a Hawaii Costco with local fish, snorkel fins, macadamia nuts (like those pictured here), and a lei in hand, you’ll know that you’re not alone. You’re part of a growing travel tribe that views warehouse stores not just as a bargain, but as a key to making Hawaii vacations more workable.
What’s your Costco strategy in Hawaii, or do you shop elsewhere? If you found a Costco deal that made your trip to Hawaii better, please comment.
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