Money Saving in Maui

Hawaii isn't a place you normally associate with budget travel. Just the cost of getting there makes it costly for many people. A friend recently booked a ticket there from Montreal, and even though she is booking nearly six months ahead she paid about $1,000.

However, once you are there there are a lot of ways to control costs. Kyle Ellison, author of the Moon Guide to Maui (www.facebook.com/moonguides) has found that there is a lot of free entertainment on the island--hula performances at the Lahaina Cannery Mall, live music at the Whalers Village in Ka'anapali, and Friday town parties along Front Street in Lahaina.

Taking the bus is also a bargain, with a day pass going for just $4. Routes serve most of the island including the airport, but you have to be able to hold your luggage on your lap. If you do need to rent a car, two wheel drive cars are cheaper than their four wheel drive counterparts.

Avoid the resort beaches and seek out those at Baldwin Beach or Makena State Park. If you are into camping, it costs only $10 per car at the Kipahulu section of Haleahula State Park. Happy hour is another bargain--at the Sea House Restaurant you can feast for $10 if you order before 5 p.m.

For a little culture, the whalers Village Museum charges just $3 per adult. Hiking trails are free across the island, and the cheapest times to visit are May, October and early November.