Yes, it’s going to cost more to fly to Hawaii now, what with fuel surcharges going up, charges for checked baggage, and the recent airline bankruptcies. But rather than sell a kidney to finance the family vacation this year, look at it this way – if you’re smart about how you spend your money on the ground, you can save money and could even make up the difference of that expensive airline ticket.

The LA Times has some tips on how to save money once you’re in Hawaii, including:

• Look into package vacations that help you save money on everything, from airfare to hotel to car rental, by booking them together.
• Avoid the hotel restaurant, unless breakfast is included in the price of your room, and find cheaper eats elsewhere.
• You can get a “free trial” on the Hawaii Entertainment Book and get discounts on three attractions without buying the whole book.

Read the whole post for the other tips. And if you also find a great deal on Hawaii airfare, then these tips are even better because you’ll be saving money instead of just hoping to break even!