Just a thought but have you looked into renting points for a one bedroom instead of the cash reservation? Dvc renters get free parking and it might work out to be around the same price as a cash reservation depending on days you plan on being there. There's some one bedroom ocean view availability. You are less than 7 months out so any old points will do. Some distressed points or even holding points may be had pretty cheap. Having a car and ability to make your own meals will really save $. Costco has some pretty inexpensive car rental rates and it's nice to head out for an uncrowded beach or just the grocery store whenever you feel like it.
If not some things we used to do when our kids were younger (not at Aulani but for Hawaii vacations)- bring some food with you. Oatmeal packets, bagels, bread, snacks, coffee... are all going to be much less at home than Hawaii. I've seen people bring coolers with frozen steaks... on flights to Hawaii. I'm pretty sure there's a BBQ for use on property. Some foil is great for cooking veggies. Pineapple cooks up great on the grill.
I'm not a fan of eating out all meals just for health reasons. Having ability to make sandwiches, snacks in room is not only saving quite a bit but also makes for a much more enjoyable Hawaii vacation because you don't have to drag everyone down for every meal. It's nice to come back to condo for lunch out of the sun, a nap or a little down time.
When my kids were younger we took them out for dinners a couple times over the course of the week but otherwise just cooked in condo or sent husband down to BBQ. Stuff like fresh fruits and vegetables I would pick up at a stand. We eat out most dinners on vacation now but still spend about the same in Hawaii as we do at home just by eating happy hour specials. Or if husband orders a meal I'll get a side salad and take a couple bites of his dinner. Seems like such a waste to have everyone ordering a full dinner and then nobody even eating half of it. Besides Hawaii is quite warm and so heavy meals don't really mix with the heat.
I love buying local fresh fruits and then blending with ice for smoothies. A little oj or a banana sweetens it up. Perhaps call and see if hotel will give you a blender.
I'm really new to the whole renting points thing. I didn't even know about it til I found this board. I will definitely look into next time. But the whole process to me seems so complicated and involved. I still don't get the details but I get the idea. I know about the great thread dedicated about but it's too late for us since my reservation cannot be cancelled in a way I can get fully refunded.