Hawaii offers a variety of freebies and promotional incentives across dining, retail, and travel sectors. These offers range from complimentary meals and product samples to travel perks and value-added packages. The availability and structure of these offers are often influenced by tourism trends and local events. Below is a detailed overview of current and historical freebies available in Hawaii, based on verified source data.
Dining and Food Promotions
Several restaurants and food service providers in Hawaii offer complimentary meals for children during specific days and times. These promotions are designed to attract families and provide value dining options.
- Ryan’s Grill: Located at Ward Centre (1200 Ala Moana Blvd.), this establishment offers free meals for children 12 and under on Sundays when an entrée is purchased.
- Auntie Pasto’s: Children 10 and under eat free at the Beretania Street location on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Kunia location offers the same promotion on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Gyotaku: Participating locations (King Street, Niu Valley, and Pearl City) provide free meals for children 10 and under on Mondays and Tuesdays after 2:00 PM.
- Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant: Located at Pearlridge Shopping Center (98-1005 Moanalua Road), this restaurant offers free meals for children from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesdays.
In addition to family dining, there are specific promotional events for food products. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue hosts an annual National SPAM® Musubi Day. On August 8, 2025, participating locations offered free SPAM® Musubi between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM. The first 100 customers in line received an exclusive sticker sheet. Select locations also featured entertainment and additional deals. This promotion is exclusive to participating L&L Hawaiian Barbecue locations.
Retail and Service Discounts
Retail establishments in Hawaii provide "spend and get" incentives, where customers receive credits or discounts upon meeting minimum purchase thresholds.
- In My Closet: Locations at Kahala Mall and Pearlridge Center offer a $25 credit toward a future purchase when a customer spends $500.
- Splash Hawaii: The Ala Moana Center location offers a $25 credit towards a next purchase for spending $250.
- Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii: Located at Ward Warehouse, this store offers a $20 gift card for purchasing $200 worth of locally made gifts.
- Riches Kahala: The Kahala Mall location offers a 10% lifetime discount on every purchase for customers who spend $500.
- Shasa Emporium: Located at Kahala Mall, this store offers a 10% discount on the next purchase for customers who spend $600.
Beauty and salon services also participate in promotional offers. W Salon at Ala Moana Center offers a free Kerastase or Shu Uemura treatment (valued up to $40) with the purchase of a haircut or chemical service for first-time users of these treatments. Additionally, first-time hair color clients can receive a free highlight enhancement (valued at $75) with any haircut.
Travel and Tourism Incentives
Travel-related freebies in Hawaii are often tied to package deals or specific booking periods. Historical data indicates that during periods of low tourism, hotels and airlines increased incentives to attract visitors.
Hotel and Resort Perks: Hotels in Hawaii have offered extensive perks to compensate for lower occupancy rates. These incentives have included: * Free nights * Upgraded rooms * Daily breakfast * Free parking * 2-for-1 activities * Rounds of golf * Spa treatments * Discounted luau tickets
In some instances, hotels offered creative incentives such as the use of luxury vehicles (e.g., Bentley convertibles) or gaming consoles (e.g., Nintendo Wii). These offers are typically available via hotel websites or travel agencies.
Airline and Package Deals: * Continental Airlines: Offered air and hotel packages starting at $889 from Outrigger and OHANA Hotels & Resorts. This package included round-trip airfare, bonus miles, hotel taxes, a free night, complimentary daily breakfast for two, and a free room upgrade. * Liberty Travel: Offered a package at the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel in Kauai including a six-night stay and midsize car rental for $415 (excluding airfare). This package included one free night, free stay and food for children 12 and under, and a 2-for-1 Luau & Aloha coupon book. * Air Tahiti Nui: Offered a free three-night stopover in Tahiti at the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti or Sofitel Tahiti Maeva Beach Resort for customers booking round-trip flights from Los Angeles to New Zealand.
Honeymoon-Related Perks
There are varying reports regarding complimentary upgrades or perks for honeymooners in Hawaii. Some travelers report success in receiving upgrades by mentioning their honeymoon status at check-in. However, success is not guaranteed. One source suggests that mentioning the honeymoon in advance increases the likelihood of receiving upgrades. Conversely, other reports indicate that simply mentioning the honeymoon at check-in does not guarantee extras, and some travelers have reported negative experiences where requested rooms were not provided. The consensus among travelers suggests that while it does not hurt to ask, travelers should not rely solely on receiving complimentary upgrades.
Complimentary Services and Samples
Beyond dining and travel, there are occasional complimentary services available in retail environments.
- Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf: Offers a free espresso shot with the purchase of a cup of coffee on Monday mornings at all Hawaii locations. This offer ends at 11:00 AM.
- Regal Cinemas: Locations at Dole Cannery, Windward Stadium, and Pearl Highlands Stadium offer a free small popcorn with a matinee ticket stub on Tuesdays.
Conclusion
The availability of freebies in Hawaii spans multiple sectors, including dining, retail, and travel. Dining promotions primarily focus on free children's meals during specific hours, while retail offers rely on minimum spend thresholds to trigger credits or discounts. Travel incentives have historically included significant value-adds such as free nights and room upgrades, particularly during periods of reduced tourism demand. Honeymoon-related perks remain inconsistent and are not guaranteed. Consumers should verify specific offer details, participating locations, and expiration dates directly with the providers or through official travel agencies.