When I visited Oahu, I was excited to discover a plethora of free classes and outdoor activities.
Lola Méndez
I have extended family in Hawaii, so I've been lucky enough to visit Oahu multiple times.
When I visited recently, I was worried about how I'd be able to enjoy my time on a tight budget.
Surprisingly, my favorite activities, including a hula class and a waterfall hike, were free.
Because several of my mom's siblings live on the island of Oahu, I was fortunate to visit family in Hawaii several times as a child. I've always been enchanted by the island's natural beauty and rich culture.
So, I was excited to return as an adult. As eager as I was to immerse myself in Hawaiian culture and nature, though, I was also nervous I'd break the bank seeking out meaningful experiences during the weeklong trip.
Surprisingly, I discovered that there are actually quite a few low-cost things to do in Oahu.
Some of my favorite experiences didn't cost any money at all, and I ended up leaving my trip with amazing memories and relatively little stress about how much I'd spent.
I learned the living art of hula for free.The Royal Hawaiian Center offers several free classes, including hula lessons.
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The Royal Hawaiian Center is a luxury shopping destination that offers complimentary Hawaiian cultural experiences, like hula lessons, every day of the week.
The classes are first-come, first-served, so I arrived a bit early. Even 15 minutes before my lesson started, there was already a crowd of students eager to learn how to hula.
I learned about the significance behind the hand formations of this storytelling art as I swayed my hips in the cool ocean breeze.
If you're lucky, your lesson will be taught by renowned Hula dancer Puakeala Mann, who shares with students the history of hula while teaching them basic hand gestures and footwork.
I went on a stunning waterfall hike.My visit to Manoa Falls was beautiful, memorable, and free.
Lola Méndez
I fondly remember hiking to Manoa Falls with my family as a child. I was eager to set out on the moderate trail again and was delighted that it was free to visit.
I went on a leisurely stroll through the lush jungle full of fragrant flowers and dense tropical vegetation, which brought me to a 150-foot cascade.
Nearby is the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, which features 6,000 tropical and subtropical plants and is also free to visit.
Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the arboretum does require a reservation ahead of time — so, I'll add it to my itinerary next time I'm here.
Beaches are free here, but visiting them still feels like a luxury.I spent a full day soaking in the sun at Waikiki Beach.
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All beaches in Hawaii are public and free. No trip to Oahu is complete without spending a few hours in the sunshine at Waikiki Beach.
I spent a day strolling down the iconic boardwalk, where you can snap a photo in front of the bronze Duke Kahanamoku Statue for a meaningful free keepsake.
Kahanamoku was an Olympian surfer known for spreading the spirit of Aloha globally, and I loved checking out the larger-than-life statue of him on the boardwalk near Kuhio Beach.
It's easy to spend a whole day here without spending tons of cash. You can go down to the beach to watch surfers catch waves or take a dip in the crystalline waters.
Right nearby, you can also visit the astonishing Diamond Head crater for $5. The entry fee is well worth it, in my opinion.
I also visited less-crowded beaches that were just as beautiful, such as Queens Beach and Kaimana Beach.
Hiking the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail brought me to one of the most gorgeous views I've ever seen.The Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail is just 2 miles round-trip and offers a beautiful view of the coastline.
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The Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail is a free, moderate, 2-mile round-trip hike.
It offers stunning views of the southeastern coastline, including Koko Head, Koko Crater, and the trail's namesake — the historic Makapuu Lighthouse, built in 1909.
During the whale season from November to May, the trail is one of the best places to see humpback whales. Although I didn't see any on my recent trip, I have treasured childhood memories of watching the whales here during past visits.
I learned how to make a fresh flower lei for free.I was glad I arrived early enough not to miss the Royal Hawaiian Center's lei-making class.
Lola Méndez
The Royal Hawaiian Center also offers free classes on how to make your own flower lei.
Classes are held on a first-come, first-served basis andcan fill up fast, so it's best to arrive at least 30 minutes early.
As I learned how to delicately thread local orchids into a lei, the guide taught us about the cultural significance of lei. We also learned the meaning and pronunciation of some Hawaiian words.
I left with a stronger understanding of Hawaiian culture and a gorgeous keepsake that I kept refrigerated so I could wear it for a few days.