Shave Ice Days in Honolulu
April 14th, 2009 by Rocco
Even Barrack Obama and family got a shave ice on their last visit to Barrack’s home state of Hawaii. While staying at the Ilikai Hotel, in Honolulu, Waikiki beach, my 6 year old daughter and I went on quests for the best shave ice…after discovering the treat while staying at the Moana Kai Beach House in Kapaa, Kaui. We have stayed with Aloha Condos on almost every island, and so have become “experts” on the various types of this island confection known as shave ice. One shave ice ranges from between 3 and 5 dollars, depending on where you get it, how many flavors you get, or if you add ice cream. Some come in styrofoam cups or bowls, or our favorite – the special brightly colored plastic cone-like container just for shave ice (you get a spoon and a straw with it). It just seems to hold the most, be the easiest to eat from, and afterwards you have a great “toy” for playing in the sand and making sand castles. The ice from shave ice to shave ice, itself, varies from course ground ice similar to a snow-cone, where the ice is tasteless and the syrup stays at the bottom; to the powdery snow-like ice that melts immediately after dousing it with syrup; to the “just right ice” that is shaved to perfection: hearty enough not to melt immediately and give a great crunch, yet light enough to swim in the syrup, so that you get the great syrupy ice mixture in every bite. All this said….the best shave ice in Honolulu is pretty much right on the beach…technically on the army base (as is some of the cheapest quick “fast food”). Civilians can buy things and eat on base. This shave ice is at a cart that also sells beverages and some snacks, is only open until 3pm, and charges $3.00 for a single flavor shave ice. When walking along the boardwalk toward Diamond Head (the ocean will be on your right), you will pass the Hilton, a green grassy park (with public picnic tables and barbecues), and then come upon a “bar” with a plethora of white umbrellas. Climb the steps, wind past the bar, the white umbrella tables, past the snack hut, (still facing diamond head) then turn left and there it will be – to the right, just up the path, the Shave Ice Cart. Enjoy!
Tags: Hawaii Travel Tips, Hawaii Vacation, Ilikai Hotel, waikiki, Waikiki Condo
April 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am
a shave ice after a day at the beach is the best. try the shave ice at island snow in kailua, that’s where obama got his. if you get away from the waikiki crowds and experience one of the world’s best beaches in kailua, island snow is walking distance from the beach.
August 7th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Good info on Oahu, but everyone should take notice of a new shave ice shop in Lahaina, Maui – Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice. This shave is comparable to Oahu’s finest (Waiola), but ALL of their flavors are better than the top shave ice shops in all of Hawaii. They are a new shop, but their reputation for quality, taste, value and friendliness is spreading quickly. Don’t be surprised to see them mentioned in the same conversation with Matsumoto’s, Waiola’s, Shimazu’s, Baldwin’s, Ice Garden, Island Snow, and Aoki’s – their shave ice is that good. Actually, their shave ice is AMAZING. In addition, the owners are Oahu born and raised and grew up eating great shave ice.
I can guarantee you that this shave ice shop will be extremely popular within one year – where it will actually be a destination point whenever people visit Maui or are visiting Lahaina. It is also catching on extremely fast with the locals as the “Coconut wireless” is doing it’s thing.