Longs Drugs Weekly Ad Hilo: Top Deals & Store Guide
For generations of Big Island residents, checking the longs drugs weekly ad hilo shoppers rely on is a Sunday ritual as familiar as a morning trip to the bakery. While mainland branches carry the standard CVS pharmacy banner, Hawaii’s Longs Drugs retains its cherished name and island identity. The weekly ad serves as a primary source of savings on everyday groceries, local snacks, over-the-counter wellness supplies, and prescription management.
Whether you shop at the Prince Kūhiō Plaza location or the bustling Kilauea Avenue branch, mastering the weekly circular allows you to stretch your budget significantly in a state known for high living costs. This guide covers how to access the latest ad, what local staples to watch for, and how to combine weekly sales with modern digital coupons for maximum savings.
Finding the Longs Drugs Weekly Ad in Hilo
The Longs circular refreshes every Sunday morning and runs through the following Saturday evening. Depending on how you prefer to browse, there are several convenient ways to view the current Hilo ad:
- The CVS Pharmacy App: Set your preferred location to one of the Hilo stores (ZIP code 96720). The digital ad viewer allows you to tap directly on sale items to clip manufacturer coupons and add them to your ExtraCare card.
- Online via CVS.com: Navigate to the "Weekly Ad" section on the website and confirm your store selection. Online circulars allow you to filter by category, such as groceries, personal care, and vitamins.
- Sunday Newspaper Insert: Traditional physical circulars are still distributed in the Sunday edition of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
- In-Store Print Copies: Both Hilo stores place stacks of printed ads right by the primary entrance doors and near the pharmacy counter.
What Makes the Hilo Circular Different From Mainland CVS Ads?
While CVS owns Longs, the merchandise inside East Hawaii stores reflects distinct local tastes. The weekly sales circular is tailored specifically to Hawaii residents, offering markdowns that mainland stores never feature.
Local Pantry and Snack Deals
Unlike national drugstore flyers that only highlight chips and sodas, the Hilo ad consistently features steep discounts on local comfort foods. Watch the weekly ad for rotating sales on:
- Hawaiian Host and Mauna Loa macadamia nut chocolates
- Arare (kakimochi/rice crackers) and dried li hing mui varieties
- Local whole-bean coffees and Hawaiian Sun canned juices
- Bulk rice bags (Calrose and Hinode), canned meats, and saimin packs
- Locally baked breads and baked goods
Household Staples and Seasonal Essentials
Longs operates as a hybrid department store in East Hawaii. In the weekly ad, you will regularly spot deals on beach gear, laundry detergent, plastic storage bins, coolers, and small kitchen appliances like rice cookers. During hurricane season (June to November), the ad routinely highlights emergency preparation items like batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food, and bottled water.
Hilo Longs Drugs Store Locations
Hilo is served by two main Longs locations. Both stores honor the promotions listed in the weekly circular, though shelf availability can vary depending on delivery schedules and demand.
1. Longs Drugs – Prince Kūhiō Plaza
Address: 111 E Puainako St, Hilo, HI 96720
Located on the makai side of Prince Kūhiō Plaza, this spacious branch offers ample mall parking. It is convenient if you are combining your grocery run with mall shopping, banking, or a visit to nearby big-box retailers. The store features a drive-thru pharmacy window for easy prescription pickups.
Video: Get Active with Longs!
2. Longs Drugs – Downtown / Kilauea Avenue
Address: 555 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
Situated near downtown Hilo, this standalone location is a beloved community fixture. It is easily accessible for those living near central Hilo or running errands along the bayfront. The parking lot can fill up quickly during peak hours, particularly on Sunday mornings when the new sale circular begins.
How to Stack Savings Using the Weekly Ad
Getting the lowest price at Longs Drugs involves more than just picking sale items off the shelf. By pairing weekly promotions with customer reward programs, you can lower your checkout total by 30% to 50%.
1. Connect Your CVS ExtraCare Account
Nearly every highlighted deal in the circular requires an ExtraCare barcode scan at the register. Signing up is free, and membership yields several benefits:
- ExtraBucks Rewards: Weekly ads frequently advertise promotions such as "Spend $20 on select sun care, get $5 ExtraBucks." ExtraBucks print at the bottom of your receipt (or load onto your app) and spend just like cash on your next visit.
- 2% Back in Rewards: Every qualifying purchase earns 2% back in ExtraCare rewards, distributed quarterly or accessible immediately via the mobile app.
2. Stack Manufacturer and Store Coupons
Longs Drugs follows the official CVS coupon policy, which permits stacking. If the weekly ad features a brand of shampoo on sale for $4.99, you can stack a $1 off Longs digital store coupon with a $1 off manufacturer digital coupon from the product maker, dropping the final price to $2.99.
3. Check for Senior and Veteran Discounts
Periodically, Longs runs special discount promotions for seniors and military personnel. These dates are generally advertised on the front page of the weekly circular. Make sure to present your valid ID at the register if shopping during one of these designated savings days.
4. Rain Checks for Out-of-Stock Items
Because goods travel by barge across the Pacific, high-demand sale items—particularly rice, toilet paper, or popular snack foods—can sell out before the end of the week. If a sale item is completely sold out, ask a team member or cashier for a rain check. Longs rain checks never expire and ensure you can purchase the item at the discounted price once new freight reaches Hilo.
Smart Shopping Tips for East Hawaii Shoppers
To make the most of your trip, consider these practical recommendations from seasoned local shoppers:
- Shop Early in the Week: Sunday morning and Monday afternoon offer the best selection of sale merchandise before inventory runs low.
- Clip Digital Coupons in Advance: Cellular reception inside warehouse-style retail buildings can sometimes be inconsistent. Open the CVS app at home to clip your digital deals before heading to the register.
- Check the Clearance Shelves: Most Longs branches have dedicated clearance endcaps (often marked with red tags) near the seasonal and household aisles. These items are frequently marked down an additional 50% to 75% to clear space for incoming ad inventory.
- Monitor Prescription Perks: Joining the ExtraCare Pharmacy & Health Rewards program lets you earn $5 ExtraBucks for every 10 prescriptions filled, giving you free credit to spend on groceries from the weekly ad.
By reviewing the weekly flyer before each shopping trip, Hilo residents can keep their households stocked with everyday necessities and local favorites without overspending.