Just posted this question in the "West" forum. I understand some restaurants charge the locals a different rate than tourists. Does anyone know the Hawaiian names?

OK I'll bite. The "names" of what?

MisterNice

--locals are often referred to as (sorry for spelling), but believe it is "Kamaaina." Thus, "Kamaaina" rates can be lower, at times, in restaurants, hotels , inter-island flights and car-rentals. When I had a home on Maui, I was often given special local or Kamaaina rates. --

Thanks Obscure2K!

Do the restaurants typically ask if you are a Kamaaina or do you need to volunteer that information at the restaurant?

Is this true of all restaurants or just certain types, say restaurants serving dinner or perhaps "higher end" restaurants?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Do the restaurants typically ask if you are a Kamaaina or do you need to volunteer that information at the restaurant?</font>

You have to ask for it and produce proof you live in Hawaii (Hawaii driver's license for example). They won't just give you the lower rate for the asking.

Quote:"You have to ask for it and produce proof you live in Hawaii (Hawaii driver's license for example). They won't just give you the lower rate for the asking"

True--I did not have a Hawaii driver's license, but did have a bank account from a local bank in Maui. I did not request Kamaaina rates in restaurants, however, when I paid for an inter-island fare using my local checking account, it generally was accepted as it had my local address printed on the check. Moreover, car rental agencies would look at my printed name on my checkbook and match my name to my Ca. drivers license, so I was often able to receive the Kamaaiana rate from car rental agencies, as well.

[This message has been edited by obscure2k (edited 07-26-2002).]

Some Hawaii restaurants do have Kamiiana pricing (for the locals with HI ID) but only during the off season. During the high seasons no discounts are given and rightfully so they state.

MisterNice

Kamaaina. Pronounced "comma-eye-nah." I must tell you, however, that having been born and raised in Hawaii and having lived here for more than 40 years, I have never heard of a discount given to locals for meals in restaurants. Must be something new. As far as hotel rates, rental cars, inter-island airfares, green fees at certain courses, and certain attractions, yes there are special rates for locals.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">I have never heard of a discount given to locals for meals in restaurants. </font>

FTraveler: You've been missing out. Some restaurants that offer kamaaina rates are The Hailemaile General Store in Upcountry Maui; the seafood buffet at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel on Oahu; I'o, the Maui Cafe, Casanova's, Sansei, Mama's Fish House and Longhi's restaurants on Maui. I'm sure there are many more and most of the hotels, if you're staying on a kamaaina rate, seen to include food credits.

I was at Kobe once in Maui and a lady at my table asked for the Kamaaina discount, and it was granted upon showing HI ID.

I avoid Maui altogether, unless I'm there for business and it's always a day trip with lunch in Wailuku or Kahului. Too many tourists. On those rare occasions when I do venture into Waikiki for a meal, it's usually to Hy's, Nick's and Matteos, where kamaaina rates are non-existent.

Other restaurants I frequent in Honolulu include 3660 on the Rise, Sunset Grille, John Dominis, Troy's Kahala, Keo's, Alan Wong's, Verbano's, Sam Choy's; for Chinese, Duk Kee and Golden Duck; for local food, Wisteria, Zippy's, Sekiya's, Kim Chee II, and Columbia Inn. None of the above offer kamaaina rates. I'll mention the concept to the owners. Sounds like a good deal. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Kamaaina rates in restaurants? Must be a Maui thing - I've never heard of it on Oahu, except (strangely) at Dunkin Donuts. But then again, most of the places I frequent don't see too many tourists anyway - not the same kind of profit margin to begin with.

I remember getting a kama'aina rate at a chinese restaurant in Waikiki once. A lot of the places that had coupons in the Hawaii guide booklets would give you the deal without the coupon if you were local.

Man, I miss Zippys....

Here are a few Maui resturants that we frequent who give a kama'aina discount if you can provide proof of residency.

Cafe Savage, Kimo's, Hali'imaile General Store, Mama's, Sansei, Hop Tomatos, Hard Rock.

Many offer the discount but you just have to ask. They DON'T offer it up front.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by missydarlin:
Man, I miss Zippys....</font>

Ooooooooo, me tooooooo. I wan' one glass ice tea and one bowl won ton saimin. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

When I lived out there, I much preferred Zippy's to Shiro's. Chicken feet and octopus guts were just a bit too much in my saimin, thank you very much.

Three Questions:

1) If one were to wonder into drivers license office in Honolulu with required ID and a local address (Mailboxes etc.), and apply for a HI State ID (not drivers license), would you walk out with it that same day (or do they mail it to you)?

2) Would a HI state ID get you the Kamaaina rate?

3) Is this something that most Hawaiians would consider incredibly tacky and rude or merely cunning?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by VPescado:
Three Questions:

1) If one were to wonder into drivers license office in Honolulu with required ID and a local address (Mailboxes etc.), and apply for a HI State ID (not drivers license), would you walk out with it that same day (or do they mail it to you)?

2) Would a HI state ID get you the Kamaaina rate?

3) Is this something that most Hawaiians would consider incredibly tacky and rude or merely cunning?</font>

Sounds like a good idea... you would walk out of the center with an ID the very same day and it will cost you $15. A Hawaii state ID would get you a kama'aina rate...

But, as a lifelong born and raised kama'aina, I would find such behavior very tacky and rude. With our given economy, we're in a rough state. Prices are expensive, and the cost of living in Hawai'i is high. Although I understand it is partly our choice to live in Hawai'i, we pay the price. Thus, it's nice that local companies give us "breaks" from the exorbitant prices we pay... so please, don't take advantage of our local retailers. They are doing us a favor, so please do us a favor by supporting our local economy (tourism) and paying full price.

There is also a news story at: http://starbulletin.com/2002/02/19/news/kokualine.html about visitors to the islands who use this method to obtain kama'aina discounts...

"A: While a Hawaii driver's license is the most convenient way of showing residency, a second method is a state of Hawaii identification card.

However, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, which administers the state ID card program, is wrestling with the problem of issuing IDs to people like yourself who are not full-time residents.

Because so many out-of-state residents -- i.e., tourists -- used to swoop down on the office to get the cards to qualify for kamaaina discount rates, the state tightened its address requirements. While such applicants still can obtain the cards, they have to put down their permanent addresses, which usually means out of state.

"We are currently working on clarifying permanent residence as it relates specifically to state ID cards, which may mean rules definition and/or statutory change," said Liane Moriyama, head of the data center.

Until there is that clarification, she said her office will issue an ID card with a Hawaii address to applicants like yourself if you are able to produce one of the following: a Hawaii voter registration card/form; a Hawaii tax clearance application (under the assumption you have a business license here); or a Hawaii property tax assessment form or rental agreement."

Hope this helps and enjoy the islands.
(edited for italics)

[This message has been edited by slippahs (edited 05-06-2003).]

Lots of savvy tourists get a Florida State ID Card with very little trouble in order to get Florida Resident deals at theme parks and restaurants all over central Florida.

Build it, and they will come.