If you don’t mind eating earlier, happy hours are the way to go. Many restaurants feature discounted items or specialized happy hour menus.

Here are a few I tried recently.

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman

With locations in Wailea, Ko Olina and Kaanapali, Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman is often considered a foodie destination. The farm-to-table eatery focuses on organic produce and local ingredients, with many seasonal menu items available.

Happy hour is available daily from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Enjoy $12 pizzas (normally $19-$22) and 50% off select appetizers like garlic truffle oil fries ($6), pumpkin patch ravioli ($8.50) and roasted chicken wings ($9.50).

The eatery’s hand-tossed pizzas, featuring made-from-scratch crusts, are especially popular. Customer favorites include Hamakua wild mushroom and truffle oil, and Proletariat, a savory combo of pepperoni, all-natural sausage, onions, green peppers, olives and fresh mozzarella.

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman
Various locations
monkeypodkitchen.com
Instagram: @monkeypodkitchen

Merriman’s Honolulu

Merriman’s Honolulu revamped its happy hour menu around three weeks ago. Happy hour is now available daily from 3 to 5 p.m. Previously, the happy hour menu focused on tacos, but the selection has expanded to include dishes like oysters on the half shell ($4 each), spicy Sichuan green beans ($9), kalua pig quesadilla ($10) and fresh fish tacos ($10).

Fresh fish and chips ($9) is one of the most popular dishes and it’s one of the best deals on the menu. It includes the tempura-battered catch of the day (mahi was featured during our visit) and rosemary sea salt fries served with malt vinegar aioli and lemon.

Merriman’s Honolulu
1108 Auahi St., Honolulu
808-215-0022
merrimanshawaii.com
Instagram: @merrimanshonolulu

The Seaside

A recently opened raw bar, The Seaside is known for its seafood selection. Customer favorites include its fresh New England clam chowder ($12 bowl, $16 in a sourdough bread bowl) and Seaside cioppino ($59), which is designed for three to four people and features a medley of locally sourced Kauai shrimp, mahi mahi, crab, mussels and clams in a tomato bisque.

Happy hour is every day from 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy $4 oysters on the half shell — oysters usually cost $6. The current selection includes Taylor Pacific, Kusshi, Kumamoto and Stellar Bay. Other dishes include taro chips with artichokes or guacamole ($10) and local ahi poke ($10).

Customers can also enjoy a variety of drink discounts on house wines by the glass ($8-$10), fruit smash seltzers ($6), gin and tonic ($8) and more.

The Seaside
364 Seaside Ave., Honolulu
808-228-3352
seasidewaikiki.com
Instagram: @theseasidewaikiki

Kai Bar

Located within the picturesque AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea, Kai Bar features panoramic ocean views and a daily happy hour menu from 4 to 6 p.m.

Popular happy hour menu items include barbecue sampler ($15) — complete with barbecue pork ribs, barbecue chicken wings and fries — and shoyu ahi poke ($12). Other choices include a charcuterie platter ($10) with assorted meats and cheeses, sampler ($15) with potstickers, spring rolls and fries, and hummus platter ($10).

Beverage specials include $5 draft beers and discounts on select cocktails like the popular Hawaiian Margarita ($14), Kai Tai ($14) and Maui G&T ($14). The latter is both photogenic and refreshing with fresh kiwi nectar and yuzu choya soda.

Kai Bar
AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea
88 Wailea Ike Place, Wailea
808-856-0341
kaibarwailea.com