You've lived in Hawaii for five minutes and you already know the routine. Sunday morning isn't just about the beach or the brunch line at Liliha Bakery. It's about that thick, ink-smudging stack of paper sitting on the driveway. Specifically, it's about the Longs Drugs Star Advertiser connection—a weekly ritual that has survived digital revolutions, corporate buyouts, and a global shift in how we buy toilet paper.
Honestly, it’s a bit weird if you think about it. In an era where everyone has a smartphone glued to their palm, thousands of local residents still wait for the physical Sunday Honolulu Star-Advertiser just to flip through the Longs Drugs circular. Why? Because in Hawaii, Longs isn’t just a pharmacy. It’s a cultural touchstone. And that Sunday ad? It’s basically the local roadmap for the week's finances.
Why the Longs Drugs Star Advertiser Ad Still Dominates
Most people think the "Golden Age" of newspapers is dead. They aren't entirely wrong, but Hawaii is a different beast. The relationship between the Star-Advertiser and Longs Drugs (now under the CVS health umbrella) is one of the most resilient partnerships in local media.
The weekly circular usually drops in the Sunday edition, though you’ll occasionally see mid-week inserts or special "More Deals" flyers. If you’re looking for the $0.99 Libby’s Vienna Sausage or the 2-for-$5 Mauna Loa macadamia nuts, the Sunday paper is where the hunt begins.
It’s not just about the deals. It’s about the "Longs Experience." There is a specific psychological comfort in circling items with a red pen while drinking Kona coffee. You can’t replicate that on a 6-inch screen.
🔗 Read more: Anime Pink Window -AI: Why We Are All Obsessing Over This Specific Aesthetic Right Now
The CVS Takeover and the Local Identity
When CVS Pharmacy bought Longs in 2008, everyone in the islands panicked. We thought we’d lose the local snacks, the crack seed, and those specific rubber slippers. But CVS was smart. They kept the Longs Drugs name in Hawaii because they knew the brand equity was worth more than their own corporate logo.
The partnership with the Star-Advertiser actually helped bridge this transition. By keeping the weekly ads consistent in the local paper, CVS signaled to the community that the "local" feel wasn't going anywhere. Today, the ads still feature Hawaii-specific items you won't find in a CVS in Ohio, like Li Hing Mui drops or specific brands of rice.
How to Actually Score the Best Deals
If you’re just flipping through and hoping for the best, you’re doing it wrong. Serious "Longs shoppers" treat the Longs Drugs Star Advertiser flyer like a tactical briefing.
First, you have to understand the timing. The sales usually run from Sunday to Saturday. If you see a killer deal on Spam or paper towels, you better get there Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. By Wednesday? The shelves are often cleared by people who buy in bulk for the "ohana."
💡 You might also like: Act Like an Angel Dress Like Crazy: The Secret Psychology of High-Contrast Style
The ExtraCare Card Secret
Here is the thing: the prices you see in the Star-Advertiser ad aren't for everyone. They are "Cardholder Prices." Basically, if you don't have an ExtraCare card (or your phone number linked to one), you’re paying the tourist price.
- Manufacturer Coupons: Longs is one of the few places in Hawaii that is relatively friendly with manufacturer coupons found in the Sunday paper.
- Digital Stacking: You can actually "stack" the deals you find in the Star-Advertiser with digital coupons on the CVS app.
- The "Yellow Tag" Hunt: Sometimes the best deals aren't even in the ad. They’re the unadvertised clearance items that locals call the "Yellow Tags."
What Really Happened with the Digital Shift?
Yes, you can view the Longs Drugs circular online. Yes, the Star-Advertiser has a digital replica of the paper. But there’s a nuance here that Google Search doesn't always catch.
The physical paper often contains "exclusive" inserts or local-only coupons that don't always render perfectly on a mobile browser. Plus, the Star-Advertiser often runs "Partner Content" or "Special Sections" that include Longs-sponsored health tips, vaccine schedules, and community event info. It’s a holistic view of local life that a simple "Weekly Ad" PDF on a website misses.
Common Misconceptions About the Weekly Ad
- "The deals are the same everywhere." Nope. The Oahu ad is often different from the Maui or Big Island ads. Shipping costs between islands actually affect the "Longs Drugs Star Advertiser" pricing.
- "You don't need the paper anymore." Technically true, but you miss out on the physical coupons that you can physically hand to a cashier. In some stores, the cellular reception is so bad that trying to load a digital coupon is a nightmare. The paper never has a "No Signal" bar.
- "It's just for old people." Walk into the Pali Longs or the one in Moiliili on a Sunday. You’ll see college kids, young parents, and kupuna all clutching that same newsprint.
Navigating the 2026 Landscape
As we move through 2026, the way we interact with these ads is evolving. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has leaned heavily into its digital subscription model, but the "Print Replica" remains one of its most popular features—largely because of the advertising inserts.
📖 Related: 61 Fahrenheit to Celsius: Why This Specific Number Matters More Than You Think
For the most part, the "Longs Drugs Star Advertiser" legacy is about trust. We trust that the Sunday paper will have the deals, and we trust that Longs will have the stock. In a world of "Subscribe and Save" on Amazon, there is something deeply grounding about walking into a store where the cashier knows your name (or at least your auntie’s name).
Actionable Steps for Your Next Shop
Don't just wing it. If you want to master the art of the Hawaii haul, follow this specific workflow:
- Check the Sunday Edition: Grab the physical Star-Advertiser. Look specifically for the "Oahu Exclusive" or neighbor island-specific flyers.
- Compare with the App: Open your CVS app. Often, there are "app-only" coupons that apply to the exact items featured in the Star-Advertiser ad.
- Watch the "Limit" Rules: Longs often limits high-demand items (like 12-packs of soda or cases of water) to 2 or 4 per customer. If you need more, bring a friend or plan multiple trips.
- Rainchecks are Your Friend: If the Star-Advertiser promised a price and the shelf is empty, ask for a raincheck. They still do them, and they are like gold in a supply-chain crunch.
The relationship between the Longs Drugs Star Advertiser circular and the people of Hawaii isn't going anywhere. It’s a weekly heartbeat. It’s a way to save a few bucks so you can spend them on something better, like a fresh bag of malasadas or a plate lunch. Next time you see that paper on the driveway, don't just toss it. There’s a whole week of savings hidden in those pages.
To stay ahead of the game, make sure your ExtraCare account is updated with a local Hawaii zip code. This ensures that when you do use the digital version of the Star-Advertiser ads, you're seeing the "Island Pricing" and not the mainland rates that occasionally glitch into the system.