Going to the 50th state is not a cheap vacation in a couple ways but it can be made
affordable and if you are like my spouse and me--many of the things we
enjoy(ed) most are free. Open air markets--got a lovely pair of
freshwater pearl earrings and a nifty cow-bone (stays cool) pipe. The
market had artisans and their families and they were of all backgrounds
from native Hawaiian to Chinese to Caucasian. A lovely young
Chinese-Hawai'ian lady (spouse is well-versed in Chinese culture and
knew instantly that this gal was of non-mixed blood--she was a bit
taken aback then rather flattered that a tourist cared enough to
comment) took a great deal of times explaining what the carved totems
on the guy's necklaces symbolize--plus she explained about the cow bone
pipe. We actually kissed goodbye. 
We just loved the non-touristy aspect of the island--gabbing with the
locals--having some out of this world meals at a fraction of the cost
of the upscale-type joints--which do abound near the pricey resorts. We
really dig snorkeling and it is sublime in Kauai where all beaches, as
in the rest of Hawai'i are open for anyone to make use of.
Beaches are the cleanest I've ever seen-- with not even natural
detritus like seaweed and such--and different depending where you
go--black sand, white sand, golden-- some shores "littered" with coral
for shell hunters (weren't very many shells--but we didn't get up at
6am to going looking as we were advised).
Things we didn't have time or fundage to do this time that we will
do next--kayaking--there's loads of nooks and crannies on the island
that can only be enjoyed from the water. Kayak rental can be as low as $10 a day.
Hiking--tons of trails from the beginner to advanced leads you to some
very private, beautiful spots. I'm not fond of helicopters but everyone
says that one must take a tour of some of the 70% of the isle which is
unihabited. It's really pricey (like $120 apiece) 
and this time, since we dropped $500 for the plane fare/hotel to O'ahu
for the day and night we went over to see our son perform at the
cultural center--that was our splurge and it was worth it to see the
show. I couldn't wait to get out of O'ahu though--traffic--just like
any American city--tons of upscale shopping--crappy snorkeling--ergh. I
found out quickly why the natives of Kauai call O'ahu "Pearl Harbor."
In fairness, O'ahu serves it's purpose as an air hub in the Pacific and
it looks like their are some cool places if you go looking. The
difference in Kauai is you don't have to go looking for cool
places--it's right there (being only 30 miles across).
Biggest way to save money when going to Hawai'i say the locals is
to go in the off season--November to March--when everything is 40%
less. You could even camp by the ocean for $5 a night instead of using
a hotel/condo. The car rental rates are literally the lowest in the
nation--gas cost was exactly the same as here on O'ahu--about 25 cents
more a gallon on Kauai. So yeah it is expensive to buy property there and the airfare is pricey. You can get around everything else.
Both my spouse and I fell in love with Kauai and will most definitely
return--hopefully sooner than later as we really want to see Maui and
Molokai islands, too.
I'm pretty hard-headed about the you only live once rule. As I (we)
did this time I'll (we'll) work my (our) tush off just to be able to go
again. It'll happen--just gonna take a bit of time.
First approach over the Hawaiian Islands (click all photos to expand)
Getting closer...
Well maybe not--onward to the next isle...
I think this is Molokai...
And if it is, this is too...
\
...as is this.
Oahu or Maui
Lihue Airport landing--finally!!!
Directly next door to the condo complex we stayed at--the beach area of an abandoned hotel.
Wonder what happened and how beach front real estate of this value can sit there without someone coming in and making a go of it like the hotels/condos on either side of it.
Very puzzling both this and the proportionally high number of shuttered, mostly cinder-block-type homes on the island of Kauai.
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