The capital city of Hawaii can be a very expensive place to visit. Hotels, taxis, restaurants, sightseeing, cruises and other costs can really mount up. However, savvy seniors can find activities in beautiful Honolulu that are both enjoyable and absolutely (and almost) free.

Waikiki Beach: Check out the Hawaiian Village Hotel area for fireworks nights, concerts and other scheduled beachside events. Watch the surfing at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, named for the famed Hawaiian swimmer who earned five Olympic medals in the early 1900s. Duke is also credited with bringing surfing into the worldwide popularity it enjoys today. Hang around the Plaza Stage at Waikiki Beach Walk and the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound. Enjoy and join in on hula dancing, along with traditional Hawaiian music and songs.

Royal Hawaiian Center: 2201 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815, www.royalhawaiiancenter.com. There’s an extensive daily schedule of free cultural and classroom activities, and is great for seniors interested in island history. The Royal Hawaiian State Band at the Center offers a regular schedule of concerts.

The Punchbowl: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, 2177 Puowaina Dr, Honolulu, HI 96813-1729, www.hawaiiweb.com/punchbowl. This large crater from a prehistoric volcano is the last resting place for more than  34,000 veterans of American wars from WW I to current Middle East combat.

The chapel and museum house photos, paintings, sculpture and other wartime mementos. The cemetery is surrounded by beautiful green hills, and a climb to the top brings sweeping views of Honolulu, Diamond Head, Waikiki and Pearl Harbor.

Diamond Head Climb: For a small donation and great photo opportunities, you can climb 760 feet to summit and scan the Pacific Ocean, beaches, Honolulu and other sights. www.hawaiistateparks.org

Pearl Harbor: The National Park Service offers free shuttle rides to the USS Arizona Memorial. Visitors can see  Navy artifacts in the museum located over the sunken battleship.