Finding paradise in Waikiki

Carefree in Waikiki sounds nice, but isn't Honolulu one of the most expensive vacation spots in the country? Hardly. While you can drop $400 for one night in a luxury beachfront resort, my wife, Lisa, and I managed to be positively parsimonious on a three-day spree in Waikiki. In fact, $327 took us the whole way. The key? Search the Web for hotel specials and ask for discounts; enjoy lots of outdoor activities; and eat where the locals eat. The big sacrifice? Being without a car is a downer in a town with mediocre public transport. Still, we had a ball on budget and headed home tanned and relaxed.