Starting March 9, 2010, Starbucks is offering a special promotion re: its new, bold brewed coffees. Buy a tall (12 ounce) brewed coffee each week for 8 weeks, keep track of it on your “Coffee Journey Card” (only available this week!), and you will receive a free one-pound bag of whole bean coffee at the end.

This is right up my alley as I am always on my own, perpetual coffee journey.

Read all the details about the Starbucks Bold Coffee Journey here.

It’s Happy Hour time at Big City Diner from 3-6pm Monday-Friday. During Happy Hour, you’ll get 50% OFF dine-in pupus as well as $1 OFF All BIG 25 oz. beers, house wine and well drinks.

You can also take advantage of their $10 weekly specials with choices like: 1/2 Teri-Chicken, Shrimp Scampi over Linguine, or Southwest 3-Pepper Steak Salad. Sounds tasty!

Bank of Hawaii has launched an “Online Marketplace,” a free, virtual coupon book. Currently more than 100 coupons from nearly 100 businesses are available on the site from a wide variety of merchants across the state. More coupons will be added regularly.

You do not need to be a Bank of Hawaii customer to take advantage of the savings! This means even visitors to Hawaii can take advantage of the deals.

Coupons in various categories – including dining, retail, automotive, entertainment, groceries, travel, health & beauty, home & garden, (and more) – are offered on the site. Some of these special offers are exclusive to the Online Marketplace.

Here at Honolulu On The Cheap, we’ll keep an eye and those deals and post when a great one catches our eye.

We know. You think Facebook is a waste of time. But if you’re looking for a little savings, you might want to consider setting up a bare bones account, just to take advantage of some of the Facebook-only deals that we post here.

For instance, through March 28, 2010, Wet & Wild Hawaii is offering a Spring Break Special: Print this coupon (you might have to print the whole page) and and get 1 FREE admission per every general ticket until March 28, 2010. (Ggood for up to 4 people)

They have a couple of other good discounts going on, too.

• When you buy your general admission tickets online, you can take 10% off (and save time- no waiting in line!).
• Wet & Wild annual passes are currently on sale (no mention of expiration date):

Regular Annual Pass $99.99 / ON SALE FOR ONLY $69.99 each (plus tax)

Renewal Annual Pass $89.99  ON SALE FOR ONLY $69.99 each (plus tax)

Do you volunteer in the community? Or want to? This might be just the incentive you need to do more! American Express cardholders can earn reward by volunteering through the Members Project.

Earn Membership Rewards® bonus points by volunteering through Members Project— up to 10,000 bonus points per year. Cardmembers can redeem points for everyday expenses like gas and groceries*, or fun extras, like gifts and travel.

Not a Cardmember? You can also earn Membership Rewards bonus points, and redeem them once you’ve applied for a Card and are approved, or donate those points right back to the charity of your choice.

There are several participating programs in the Honolulu area. For more information or to sign up, visit the TakePart Social Action Network.

On March 11, 2010 the Honolulu Academy of Arts extends its museum hours in the first of their aloHAA evenings. On the 11th, and the second Thursday of every month, museum hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The extended hours are part of an effort to make the museum more accessible to people who may want to explore the galleries and special exhibitions, but can’t make it during regular museum hours.

Regular museum admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, military and students during aloHAA. Members get in free. Psst: we spotted a special deal for you on Twitter – simply say the word “Twitter” as you pay and you’ll get in for just $5!

What to expect:

Curator of European and American Art Theresa Papanikoas will give a talk about the Academy’s big spring exhibition, From Whistler to Warhol: Modernism on Paper (on view through July 3) in Gallery 27 at 6 p.m. and Curator of Asian Art Shawn Eichman will give a short talk on Masterpieces from the Lane Collection in Gallery 14 at 7 p.m.

At 5 p.m., the Pavilion Café will open as a counter-service lounge selling small-plate, easy-to-eat dishes. On the menu March 11: Florentine sandwiches and polenta topped with ratatouille. A bar will serve beer, wine and a specialty cocktail. The evening will also feature music—live and recorded. It’s the perfect way to unwind after work.

If you’d like, make it a full evening of aloHAA. See what’s new in the galleries, have something to eat and drink, then see a film or performance at the Doris Duke Theatre – A Matter of Size screens March 11. There is separate admission for the theater.

The Sunday Showcase afternoon tradition continues at the Waikiki Beach Walk stage plaza every Sunday afternoon (weather permitting) from 5 to 6pm.  Free to both hotel guests and residents, enjoy some of the islands best performers featuring Hawaiian, jazz, local island folk songs, contemporary, R&B and much more.

March Sunday Showcase:

• March 14  -    Sean Tiwanak Band
• March 21  -  Royal Hawaiian Serenaders
• March 28  -   Hula Halau O Nawahine with Kumu Hula Marlene Kuraoka

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Honolulu starts at 12 noon on March 17, 2010. Parade winds its way through Waikiki, starting at Saratoga Rd./Kalakaua Ave., to Kalakaua Ave., to Monsarrat Ave.,  to end at Queen Kapiolani Park.

The Honolulu Festivals Parade starts at 4:30pm on Sunday, March 14, 2020 and is expected to have 3,000 marchers, 35 vehicles & 6 bands.  It starts at Kalakaua Ave. at Saratoga Rd and ends at Waikīkī Shell parking lot, Queen Kapiolani Park.

Happy Hour (4-6 pm) at Rum Fire takes St. Paddy’s Day beverages beyond green beer with specialty cocktails created just for the occasion:

Sham-Rocked $5
Midori Melon Liqueur, Baileys Irish Cream,
Bushmills Irish Whiskey

Irish Car Bomb $6
Baileys, Bushmills Irish Whiskey, Pint of Guinness Beer

Tapas:
Kona Crab Corn Fritter $13
Cucumber Avocado Crème Fraiche, Tomatillo Meyer Lemon
Salsa

Chipotle Guinness Braised Short Rib $16
Pearl Onion Cumin Fava Bean Ragu, Orange Jam

Crispy Goat Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms $13
Kahuku Corn Puree, Hamakua Tomato Vinaigrette, Clover
Sprout

Regular menu items also available
Entertainment by Beach 5 Duo – Christian Yrizarri from 5 – 8 p.m.

Haili’s Hawaiian Foods is hosting a book signing with author Arnold Hiura on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 11:30am to 1pm. For the event, Haili’s is offering a signed copy of Kau Kau: Cuisine and Culture in the Hawaiian Islands along with a Kau Kau Special Plate combo for $30. The day’s special will include (no substitution, plz): mini laulau; chicken long rice; lomi salmon; sweet potato; rice; fruit. Please pre-order by Monday, March 15 to reserve your copy.

Ala Moana Center presents its third annual Shop a Le‘a, a week-long spring shopping event, from March 22-28, 2010.  The event offers some free events, and others that provide bonuses for shoppers.

Shop a Le‘a Beauty Bar – March 24
On Wednesday, March 24 from 4-6:30 p.m., Ala Moana Center will host the Shop a Le‘a Beauty Bar at Centerstage, where guests can choose two complimentary services: mini hand massages by The Body Shop, makeup consultations by MAC Cosmetics, a Philosophy oxygen facial peel by Nordstrom, or a hair consultation and quick styling by W Salon.  To attend, shoppers need to make a purchase from The Body Shop, MAC Cosmetics, Nordstrom, or W Salon between March 17-24 and show their sales receipt as entry to the event.  A donation to Dress for Success will also qualify for complimentary event entry.

Limited to the first 100 shoppers.  Beauty bar services are first come, first serve, and based on availability.  Due to the event’s time restriction, there is no guarantee all attendees will receive services, so arrive early.

Shopping Serenades – March 25
On March 25 from 5:30-9 p.m., on Level 3 of the Nordstrom Wing, guests will enjoy live entertainment. Female vocalist and Grammy nominee Amy Hanaiali‘i is on from 6:30-7:30 p.m. with opening act Kaiholu from 5:30-6:15 p.m., along with store offers and special events from merchants in the Nordstrom Wing.

Ala Moana Magazine’s 2010 Runway Show – March 27 & 28
Ala Moana Magazine presents a 2010 runway show highlighting spring styles straight off the pages of Ala Moana Magazine.  Some of the trend segments shoppers can look forward to seeing include watercolor prints and florals, cutouts, glamour girl, the color green, and more.  Featured merchants will be Betsey Johnson, Banana Republic, DKNY, MAX&Co., Tapestries by Haouli, T&C Surf, and more.  The FREE runway show will take place at Centerstage on Saturday, March 27 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and repeat on Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m.

Shop a Le‘a Center Wide Gift with Purchase
A commemorative Shop a Le‘a organic cotton tote will be the center wide gift with purchase throughout Shop a Le‘a week.  Shoppers who redeem $200 in Ala Moana Center store and restaurant receipts dated from March 22-28 at the Customer Service Center will receive the chic, organic cotton tote.  Limit is one tote per person, while supplies last.

“Spring Into Sharing” at Ala Moana Center
During Shop a Le‘a, shoppers will have a unique opportunity to give back to the community.  By donating their unworn or gently used apparel, shoes and accessories, and mall and store gift cards to Dress for Success, shoppers can help low-income women re-enter the workforce with professional attire.  Merchants acting as collection sites will offer discounts and gifts to shoppers who provide a donation. Participating retailers include Custo Barcelona, Express, Maui Divers Jewelry, MAX&Co., Sephora, Spiral Girl, and White House|Black Market.  Donations will also be accepted at Ala Moana Center’s Customer Service Center.

Shop a Le‘a Grand Prize Giveaway
One lucky shopper will win the Shop a Le‘a grand prize giveaway – a spa getaway trip for two to Sedona, Ariz.  Valued at $2,500, the giveaway includes two roundtrip flights to Phoenix on Hawaiian Airlines, four night’s accommodations at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa, two 50-minute spa treatments, and a $500 American Express gift card.

Shoppers can enter to win at Centerstage, the Ala Moana Customer Service Center, or the Mall Level Information Desk between Louis Vuitton and Dior.  No purchase is necessary to enter.  Must enter during the week of Shop a Le‘a, March 22-28.  See entry form for official rules.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream – especially if it’s free! Get your free scoop at your neighborhood Ben & Jerry’s on March 23, 2010, from noon to 8PM. Oahu, your neighborhood Ben & Jerry’s is located at the Windward Mall in Kaneohe. So the question is: just how far will you drive for a free scoop??

Join The Celtic Keiki for a Celtic line dance and cheer on The Dueling Dancers as they face off to determine who has Hawaii’s fastest feet at Aloha Tower.  They are just part of the free fun and traditional Irish entertainment lined up for Aloha Tower Marketplace’s St. Patrick’s Day on the Harbor, taking place Wednesday, March 17, 2010. The free activities begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Center Atrium and will include free St. Patrick’s Day goodies (while supplies last) as well as entertainment by the Lisa Gomes and Kilin Reese Duo and Dancers Unlimited for an evening of traditional Irish song and dance.

If you shop the one-day Shamrock Sale taking place at participating stores throughout the Marketplace, head to the Leprechaun Treasure Chest with your receipt dated March 17 for $17 or more and get a chance to pick a prize from the chest.

Marketplace restaurants also will be puttin’ on the green with special St. Patrick’s Day menus featuring corned beef with cabbage plus lots o’ other “green” food and specialty drinks. Visit www.alohatower.com for more information.