What Are Kama’aina Discounts & How Do I Get One?

When you’re new to Hawaii, you may hear locals refer to you as a malihini (mah-lee-hee-nee), a newcomer. Once you settle into island life, you then transition from a malihini to a kama’aina (ka-ma-ay-na) or a local resident.

Photo Courtesy of Polynesian Cultural Center

You may have heard the phrase “kama’aina discount.” Interestingly, kama’aina discounts do exist and at times can be a huge bonus, especially when it comes to inter-island travel and booking activities for you and your guests.

• Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Fairwinds Cruises, and Atlantis Submarines offer kama’aina discounts of up to 20 to 50% for their activities, especially during the off-season.
• Many hotels, the Sheraton, Mauna Lani Resort, and Bed & Breakfast’s throughout Hawaii offer kama’aina discounts based on availability, be sure to ask when booking your reservations. Aston Hotels & Resorts Kama’aina Rates.
• Park entry fees for beaches such as Hapuna are waived when you present a Hawaii State ID.
• Polynesian Cultural Center Kama’aina Packages.

How to Get a Hawaii State ID

If you plan to live in Hawaii on a part-time basis, obtaining a Hawaii State ID may be worth your while. Now that there is a new West Hawaii Civic Center in Kailua-Kona, obtaining your Hawaii State ID is a fairly simple process. Possessing a Hawaii State ID is an advantage for you and your family.

Before heading out to the Kona Driver Licensing Office, be sure to bring the following documents:

• Legal Name (birth certificate, US passport, marriage certificate)
• Date of Birth (birth certificate, US passport, driver license)
• Legal Presence that prove you are legally in the US (birth certificate, US passport)
• Social Security Number (Social Security Card, W-2, 1099 Form)
• Hawaii Principal Residence (2 documents required: voter registration card, pay statement, utility bill, bank statement)

Obtaining State ID in Kona

For more information or directions to the West Hawaii Civic Center, visit their website: hawaiicounty.gov.

Obtaining State ID on Oahu

Visit one of the 5 Driver License Locations: Dillingham, Wahiawa, Waianae, Ko’olau or Kapolei. For more information, visit the City and County of Honolulu Website for details.