Costco Hawaii

Why are we doing a video on the Costco in Kailua Kona? We wanted to do this video to show folks a few pros and cons of Costco because many of our fans from the 365 Kona social channels say that Costco is the first stop they make after they get off the plane at KOA as its a great place to stock up before spending their vacation in West Hawaii.
We also have friends from around the island who go to Costco to get everything from party supplies to appliances, furniture and wine. So, we discuss some things that you may not think of,..like the cases of plastic water bottles that end up in our landfill, the rotting produce from the mainland, the humidity that affects all packaged goods as soon as they are open and how you can get your deal on, but also consider supporting local farmers and businesses.
Chapters
00:00 intro
01:05 Tv's
01:34 shirts
02:52 Furniture
03:44 appliances
04:43 Water
05:39 Tires
06:06 Produce
06:34 Fish
06:55 Sizes
07:46 cons of shopping at Costco
10:24 Food court
11:09 Alcohol
12:09 Bath tissue
Join our 365Ohana on www.365HawaiiLiving.com if you'd like to purchase a home on Hawaii Island or be referred to agents on other islands!
Eric Ziemelis | RS-80376
Julie Ziemelis | RS-85062
365 Hawaii Group
REAL Broker LLC
[e-mail]
www.365hawaiiliving.com

[@mizmercer]

On my two trips to Kona, I went to Target. Pro-tip, there is a local goods section in both Target and Walmart stores, and since I fly in using carry-on with minimal toiletries, I stock up on local oils and lotions. Also, I get reef-safe sunscreen after I land but even then, go for the local brands to be sure since they were still selling chemical stuff when I was there in March '22 and Feburary '21

[@mizmercer]

Oh, the gas is the cheapest, but the lines they are the longest. It's just the right distance from the airport when you're returning a rental car.

[@Bobchai]

Large pizza (and I mean, REALLY large, 2 days worth of munching) at Kona Costco is still $9.95 after ten years of going there. It's also among the best in town.

[@365Hawaii]

Isnt that crazy?? My son's friends use those pizzas for all their parties.

[@user-hu2jn7yt6g]

My wife and I have been watching your videos and are headed to the Big Island in May for the trip of a lifetime. We we're figuring Costco as our first stop for this that and the other thing. Thanks so much for the insight especially the plastic water bottle thing. Im learning alot about the land, the culture, and how to respect all of it from you guys. Mahalo and Merry Christmas and wishing you both the happiest new year!

[@birdman5223]

Nice vibe, solid info☺️

[@scottyflintstone]

Aloha. Had a Costco hotdog n soda last night for $1.50 (Chico, CA). Costco is inflation resistant!

[@365Hawaii]

MANY people who are local, can afford to live on this island, thanks to some of the items Costco offers, including that food court!

[@stephaniedayton]

I always find that the eggs at Costco are a good deal. I can eat eggs every day, so the 24-pack definitely doesn’t go to waste when I’m there on vacation.

[@billberry557]

Liked the video. Lived on the island for 4 years and visited a couple of times prior. One other topic go back to when to visit the store. Afternoons not good will be very crowded usually concides with Air Travel arrival people de-plane get their Luggage then the Rental Car and then Costco. In addition the beginning of the month be prepared for long waits all day people from the other parts of the island (as you mentioned Hilo) come over and will the flat carts with evrything they need for a month. Plus Islanders who have a once a month income will go to Costco the first of the month and make bulk purchase. If you give it some thought then you a good mix as you said is certain items at Costco and then fill in with ATA and then the Farmer Marrkets. A good mix of Local and National chain can be a benefit. Safeway is expensive and a lot of items on the shelves are at or past expiration date as well. One funny thing was the small doughnuts at Walmart always had water dripping off of the containers because they came in the night before cargo flight and were semit frozen. Just like the island saying of why items can be expensive "Somebody has to pay for the boat to bring it to the Island"! Aloha and Mahalo for the videos.

[@annevolk1099]

That’s exactly what I was thinking…flight lands, get car, can’t check in yet, so go to Costco.

[@redracer5521]

Thanks for sharing. We’re planning on shopping at Costco via insta-cart and getting our groceries delivered to our rental. There’s going to be 12 of us😊

[@pambrown5382]

We bring personal Brita bottles, shopping bags, and travel silverware

[@Mickcotton]

We always go to Costco! Right off the plane in Maui . ✅ it’s right across the street at the airport. Supplies for our 2 week trip ❤. Aloha Nui 🌺🤙

[@zoeb6778]

Some great tips! Here are a couple more: For stale croissants..make almond croissants from them (you need to use stale ones). And get a re-sealer for chip bags. (Little hand held battery ones work well).

[@johnursu7946]

Three other pros for Costco. The rotisserie chicken, cost of their gas and of course they don't charge you to park. Also a good tip is to take advantage of Safeway's $5 Friday specials.

[@philiptuths3747]

My favorite thing about Costco in Kona was the chickens running around the parking lot!

[@greatfullded]

Chickens running around parking lot.. and rotisserie chicken in Costco for $4.99... Now thats fresh chicken.. LOL.. same in Kauai.. funny... drove by KFC and tons of chicken running around the front of the place... LOL

[@NeoValient2020]

Are you saying that Atlas recycling dumps their received plastic into the land fill?

[@TomSramekJr]

We actually packed our annual rebate certificate (Executive Membership) and used it there. Saved us $150 on vacation, though the membership still costs…

[@gabbylinks]

Good video, but our first stop in all the years we visited before moving was KTA. The best for local produce and fruit..

[@365Hawaii]

Good for you!!! People know the name and concept of COSTCO...but don't always know (or care) about the local grocery store. I wanted to show the inside of a KTA for a video, too!

[@Mickcotton]

Yes 👍 our first stop in Kona was KTA. Not Costco. We purchased Coffee Beers & Fresh Ahi & Salmon Poke Macadamia Nuts ! Good Price’s. We ended up going there 2 more times. Excellent Customer Service. Very Quick Great parking & a normal line at check out. I really recommend going to KTA ✅🌺🤙

[@georgb6175]

@@365HawaiiI love the apple bananas at KTA. Choice Mart is the best for fresh, local fish and chicken. Also, I can fill my growler there with either Kona beer or Ola Brew cider. Lastly, it’s the only store I know of that sells Ubi tortillas! Yes! Purple tortillas! It might be a cool idea to do a video spotlight on Kona Chips. Aloha 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@AshleyandWesley]

We shop at the Sams in Pearl City which isn’t as good but we love going to Costco to buy foam boards and hot dogs 😅

[@suehofkamp8594]

I go to Walmart, then Costco for major shopping once a month or so. Usually in the same day. Then use KTA for produce, steaks and things I run out of or forgot. I have been to the Farmers Markets but seriously found them more expensive.

[@Bobchai]

I'm headed out to Kona Costco right now! I live alone, so I avoid large sizes and packaging. Safeway has wonderful produce, bakery and meats, but it's OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. I also prefer Target. A can of beans at Target or Wal Mart costs 3 times as much at Safeway. Take all beverage containers (cans, plastic soda and water bottles, beer bottles) for which you paid a deposit, to Atlas Recycling, over in "Old Industrial" (Alapa St.). They go by weight, not by item, so you may collect more than the 5 cents you paid when you bought the stuff. I also think plastic water bottles are insanity. There should be a law about single-use plastics.

[@tommy2days]

Hi Julie and Eric. I love watching your videos. I’ve been watching more since my wife and I are planning a trip to the Big Island and Kauai in March. Would you recommend staying at an Airbnb or at one of the resorts? We plan to stay 4-5 days and 4-5 days on Kauai. Thank you. Aloha. Tom

[@365Hawaii]

If you can swing it, stay in an AirBnB or you will be spending a fortune on food and fees. Also, being able to have a fridge is good and you can always get a resort pass if you want the fun of the pools and such!

[@tommy2days]

@@365Hawaii thank you!

[@9IslandGina]

Just came back. Safeway was out of a lot of items but did have things in smaller quantity. Target actually was well stocked. We were there 12 days so Costco saved us probably $1500 and we ate healthier than eating out all the time and didn’t worry about not having good food available as I don’t eat seafood or most tropical fruits and my husband needs to eat at certain times. We did get some great Kirkland Champagne and PRIME grain fed Ribeyes at Costco that we grilled at the condo for our Anniversary They were well worth it. Don’t get me wrong we buy and eat local when we do go out there. It’s just nice to save a little and splurge on other things.

[@rdak4943]

a nice cloudy day to go shopping!! enjoy the day.. cheers from Alaska

[@victoriamundia9987]

Good video, but I disagree with you about the croissants! We buy them here in VA and always slice and then freeze them. When you are ready to eat them, just sit out at room temp for a few minutes, then either toast or bake in the toaster oven. Delish!

[@ashleyp2527]

What size do the Hawaiian shirts go up to for men?

[@clifflong7944]

Water won’t hurt you but can taste pretty horrible….get the Brita. Makes a world of difference.

[@marcielynn4886]

I live in Hawaii and am not willing to take a whole day to get there and back, plus the price of gas.

[@michaelvonfeldt9629]

Lots of personal bad experiences with Samsung for years now.

[@kfbob364]

KTA is nice but Super expensive..

[@365Hawaii]

Tell me one grocery store that is inexpensive anywhere near Kona.. Although SaK n Save does have a few member deals.

[@monicasmith936]

Where is Amber?

[@russtgrower750]

Id go shopping with you two any day 😘

[@danabe3220]

i put my big bag of chips into smaller zip lock bags.

[@nereidalopez9507]

Another tip for Costco Hawaii island…. There is only one in the entire island.

[@heatherhaney3309]

Of course… pick the UGLIEST Aloha Shirt you can find… 😂😂