Travel expert reveals the 'ABC' of a cheap holiday in Hawaii

Hawaii is great. Expensive but great. The exchange rate, the hotels, the bars and restaurants.

But I have one priceless tip to dramatically reduce the cost of your Hawaiian holiday and it's as easy as ABC.

If you've been to Hawaii you'll know what I'm talking about. ABC is a chain of 60 convenience stores. You can't miss them. There are 40 alone in a two-kilometre stretch of Waikiki. Literally on every corner is not an exaggeration. 

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They sell EVERYTHING. Souvenirs, snacks, hot meals, salads, cut fruit, alcohol, beachwear, toiletries, coffee, clothing and all cheaper than you will find just about anywhere else in Hawaii.   

After a few days in Waikiki the $US10 beers, $15 cocktails and $20 hamburgers really start to add up. If you're travelling as a family with the constant demand for drinks and snacks your holiday budget will start to resemble a Sydney mortgage.

Look, it's no fun if you don't have a Mai Tai at the Royal Hawaiian at sunset or experience a luau at a beachfront hotel but for those times when you need to just fuel up or cool down the ABC stores are a must.

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Here's an idea of what you can expect to pay in US dollars

• FOOD & DRINK: a six pack of 500ml spring water $7.49, $8.29 for a sandwich; Bacon & eggs with fried potato $10.49; Hamburger and chips $11.99; $2.29 for a hot dog; six cans of Coke for $6.99.

• ALCOHOL: 12 cans of Heineken slim for $21.99; two cans of pre-mixed Pina Colada or Mai Tai for $11; single serve glasses of wine $3; Jack Daniel's and Coke premix 2 for $11.
  (By comparison a gourmet sandwich at the popular Cheesecake Factory is $18.95, a classic burger is $19.95 and a bottle of Fijian water is $6.50).

• SOUVENIRS & BEACH STUFF: T-shirts 4 for $20; mask and snorkel set $15; Beach umbrella $20; boogie board $30.   

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If you're travelling to the other Hawaiian islands you'll find 12 ABCs on Maui, five on the Big Island of Hawaii, and three on Kauai. There's now even eight of them in Las Vegas because Vegas has the largest population of Hawaiians outside of Hawaii.

The first ABC store opened in Waikiki in 1964 so the chain is celebrating its 60th birthday.

They were originally called Mr K after their founder Japanese-American businessman Sidney Kosasa. He later changed the name to ABC because he thought it was easier to remember. 

He was right about that. ABC. Don't forget it. Your wallet will thank you. 

John Walsh was Executive Producer of the Nine's travel series Getaway from 1999-2024.