Hints for Your Hale

Spring 2024
Ways to “Go Green”

It’s important to “go green.” Here are a few ways to be more sustainable, reduce your carbon footprint and save the environment.

Shop Local

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers markets in your neighborhood:

Ala Moana/Kakaako:

  • Kakaako Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 919 Ala Moana Blvd.
  • Hawaii Farm Bureau Honolulu Farmers Market: 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Neal Blaisdell Center

Chinatown:

  • Kekaulike Market: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, 1039 Kekaulike Street

Kapolei:

  • Market at Ka Makana Alii: 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays

Kona:

  • Kona Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, Alii Drive

West Maui:

  • Farmers Market Maui Store: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 3636 Lower Honoapiilani Rd., parking lot market closed until further notice
  • Napili Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 4900 Honoapiilani Hwy.

BYOB

Bring Your Own reusable Bags whenever you go shopping.

Drink Tap Water

Fill up your reusable water bottle with tap water and avoid single-use plastic bottles. Did you know that with one reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 1,500 plastic bottles per year?

Keep Your Refrigerator 30% Empty

When your refrigerator is too full, it’s hard to see what you already have and what you need to eat before it expires. Keep your refrigerator 30% empty and use the extra space for leftovers.

Upcycle

Upcycling or creative reuse is repurposing used items and turning them into something new. How about using an old mug or tea cup as a planter for succulents, leftover fabric to wrap gifts in the Japanese style of furoshiki, or turning old T-shirts into a patchwork quilt or a braided rag rug? The ideas are endless.

Summer 2023
Shopping and Dining Deals

Many restaurants and stores in Hawaii offer loyalty programs as well as senior and kids eat free discounts*. Each time you use coupons or take advantage of an offer, set aside that amount for savings. Here are some of them:

Restaurants

  • Big City Diner – On Thursdays, up to two free kids’ meals (10 years and younger) per table. Locations: Kaimuki, Pearlridge, Kailua, Kaneohe, and Waipio.
    https://bigcitydinerhawaii.com/
  • Denny’s – up to two free kids’ meals for each adult entrée purchase; 10% off for seniors 55 years+. Locations: Honolulu (2), Kapolei, Waipahu, Lahaina, Kailua-Kona.
    https://www.dennys.com/
  • Gyotaku – Senior Menu daily, Kids Eat Free on Mondays and Tuesdays after 4 p.m., Early Bird Special, Wednesdays to Fridays, 4-6 p.m. Three Oahu locations.
    https://gyotaku.com/
  • IHOP – Senior menu daily, Kids Eat Free Monday to Friday, 4-10 p.m.
    https://www.ihop.com/en
  • Jack in the Box – 20% discount for seniors. Multiple locations.
    https://jackinthebox.com
  • Subway – 10% discount for seniors 50 years and older. Multiple locations.
    https://restaurants.subway.com/united-states/hi
  • Zippy’s – Join its Zipster Rewards program and Zipcoins that can be redeemed for a favorite menu item. Multiple locations.
    https://www.zippys.com/rewards/

Stores

  • Don Quijote – 10% (5% on electronics) on Senior Tuesdays. Three Oahu locations.
    https://donquijotehawaii.com/
  • Foodland – Enjoy savings when you join its Maikai program, also 5% off on Senior Thursdays.
    https://www.foodland.com/maikai-member
  • HMart – Get a Smart Card for discounts and in-store savings. Two Oahu locations.
    https://www.hmart.com/smart-card/
  • Hele Gas – Get gas discounts on Saturdays and Sundays and earn points to use toward food discounts and free items in their stores with a Kamaaina Rewards card. Multiple locations in Hawaii.
    http://kamaainarewards.com/
  • Ross – 10% off for seniors 55+ on Tuesdays. 15 locations including 8 in Honolulu and Kapolei.
    https://www.rossstores.com/
  • Target – Join its TargetCircle loyalty program and get special deals and a 5% discount off a single purchase on your birthday.  Seven locations in Hawaii including three in Honolulu, Kapolei, and Kailua-Kona.
    https://www.target.com/circle

*Age requirements, rules and participating stores may vary. Ask about discounts before purchase.

Fall 2022
Ways to Save Money

Now more than ever, saving money is good practice. The following tips can help your money last a little longer.

  • Make a Budget
    Knowing where your money is going will help you cut back. Keep track of your spending on groceries, snacks, entertainment, clothing, gas, etc.
  • Plan Your Weekly Meals
    For most people, food is a big expense. To help lower your grocery bill, decide ahead of time what you’ll eat for the week. Look what you already have in your kitchen, choose recipes that use the same ingredients, then make your shopping list. And remember to take your own bags.
    Buying foods in bulk at Costco or Sam’s Club may seem like you’re saving money on grocery bills, but it may end up costing more if you don’t use all of the food before the expiration dates and have to toss them out. A good idea would be to share the costs of a bulk purchase with a neighbor.
  • Buy Generic
    One of the easiest ways to save money is to stop buying name brands, everything from clothing, staple foods and cleaning supplies, to medications and prescriptions.
  • Use the Library
    Avoid spending on new books or DVDs or going to the movies. Visit the library in your neighborhood and borrow books and DVDs instead. And did you know that you can also borrow an ukulele that comes with a tuner and carrying case? The Hawaii State Public Library System also has a free app that you can download from your mobile phone to reserve books or e-books—you’ll be notified by postcard or email when they’re ready to be picked up.
  • Save a Nickel a Day
    Try the Nickel a Day Challenge. Begin by saving 5 cents on Day 1, then increase the amount by a nickel each day: 10 cents on Day 2, 15 cents on Day 3 and on up to $18.25 on Day 365. If you continue for a full year, you’ll have saved $3,339.75!

Summer 2022
Ways to Save Water

In anticipation of a long, hot and dry summer season, the Board of Water Supply is asking Oahu residents and businesses to reduce their water use at least by 10%. This is geared primarily to the areas from Halawa to Hawaii Kai, due to the Red Hill water crisis. However, reduced water use is good practice for everyone. Here are a few tips:

  • Turn off the bathroom faucet while brushing your teeth.
  • Fill the kitchen sink and use the stopper when washing dishes. Don’t leave the water running.
  • Turn taps off tightly so they don’t drip.
  • Take shorter showers.
  • Check for leaky sinks or toilets and get them fixed.
  • Wash only full loads in the washing machine.

Summer 2021
Hurricane Season is June 1 to November 30

With hurricane season already here, are you ready? The Handbook for Emergency Preparedness is full of information and tips to make sure you’re prepared in case of a hurricane. It is available online at https://view.hawaiianelectric.com/handbook-for-emergency-preparedness/page/1. A little planning now goes a long way.

Emergency Plan

Make an emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, the nearest emergency shelter, list of emergency phone numbers, and a designated meeting place if family members are separated.

Evacuation Kit

Your evacuation kit should include: portable battery-powered radio; flashlights and extra batteries; first-aid kit; manual can opener; toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, and other personal hygiene supplies; 3- to 5-day supply of nonperishable food; water (2 quarts per person per day); extra cash; change of clothes; and sleeping bags.

Special Medication Preparations

If you or someone in your care has a condition that requires special medication or life support systems, or if your medications require refrigeration, contact your doctor or pharmacist on how to handle emergencies and power outages.

The Handbook for Emergency Preparedness is available in English, Cantonese, Ilocano, Korean, and Vietnamese.  To request a copy, call (808) 543-7511.