Declaring daily deal discounts an 'old school' fad, a local firm is betting that free stuff is the best way to connect businesses to new customers. Frii [iTunes link] is a new app from Hawaii-based mobile advertising firm Friistyle. And the app recently launched with several local merchants, including Wahoo's Fish Taco, Zpizza, Kona Brewing Company, Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha, Auntie Pasto's, The Box Jelly, and more.

Users sign up to claim a limited number of free items at each business. For example, as of this writing, there are 99 free stuffed mushrooms appetizers from Auntie Pasto's still available, 49 free fish tacos from Wahoo's, and 12 keiki shave ice from Uncle Clay's. Under services, The Box Jelly is offering free three-day memberships (20 left).

Once you've nabbed an offer you can also share it with friends on Facebook, an action that can also include additional benefits. And to redeem it, the app checks your location via GPS to make sure you're at the merchant's location.

"It is also completely free for local merchants to send out offers for free stuff," founding partner Michael Martone tells me. "Basically everyone wins."

Of course, for Frii to win, too, the app needs more users to drive to merchants and service providers (and to see the in-app ads). But by featuring 100 percent discounts on popular stuff from popular places, hopefully they won't have too much trouble finding fans.

Check out the fun introductory video on YouTube:

To learn more, visit the website, check out the Frii page on Facebook, or follow @Friistyle on Twitter. You can get the app via iTunes.