Hawaiian shaves ice – Far better than usual desserts when you’re under the hot Hawaiian sun!
For anyone who’s here because of the shave ice’s hype, and doesn’t know what it actually is, we are going to share our experience that will help you to understand better. It’s a very popular treat that you get to enjoy everywhere on the island of Oahu. It’s made by crushing or shaving ice which is then molded into a soft shape and then different flavored syrups and other details are poured onto it.
Whether you’re enjoying the hot Hawaiian sun or enjoying a refreshing meal while soaking up the rays, shaving ice is the way to go anyway. It’s chilled, delicious, and customizable too. You may get it prepared just as you desire!
For the flavors, you get a lot of options to choose from. The most popular Hawaiian shaved ice flavors include strawberry, blue raspberry, lemon-lime, cherry, grape, and pina colada. Other than these, you’ll find many more interesting flavors too, but these are the ones that most people enjoy having.
So, the next time you’re in Hawaiian for a vacay, eat your favorite meals, and enjoy whatever dishes you crave, but do treat yourself with a shaved ice dessert afterward. You’ll love it for sure.
Table of Contents
What is Hawaiian Shave Ice?
First of all, you shouldn’t be confusing the popular snow cones with the Hawaiian shave ice. They do seem similar but they’re different. Snow cones use crushed ice while the shave ice uses very thin shaved ice which is then molded into a soft texture, more like powdery snow. Also, shave ice absorbs and spreads the flavors better and more evenly than crushed ice.
Shaved ice desserts are most associated with Hawaiian shave ice. There is often a scoop of ice cream at the center of Hawaiian shave ice, as well as sweet red azuki beans on top. In addition to the colorful syrups in flavors ranging from blue raspberry to bubble gum, there are now lilikoi (passionfruit), sour sop, and papaya flavors too, which are locally grown.
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Best Shave Ice Oahu
Shave ice is one of the world’s oldest desserts which are now everywhere, fancier, tastier, and more popular now. They’re especially enjoyed in hot and humid places and islands.
Here are some of the yummiest shave ice options while you’re in Hawaii.
- Matsumoto Shave Ice
- Waiola Shave Ice
- Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha
- Island Vintage Shave Ice
- Shimazu Shave Ice
- Shimazu Store
- Kaimana Shave Ice
- Aoki’s Shave Ice
- Island Snow Cafe
1. Matsumoto Shave Ice
ABOUT – On the north shore of Oahu in the small but vibrant town of Hawaii, sits one of the most famous destinations on the island ‘Matsumoto Shave Ice’ which offers the best shave ice in town. Owners Stanley Matsumoto is a second-generation proprietor of the namesake family business known for its signature shave ice.
You might be thinking what makes them different from other establishments on the island? Well, the answer to that is the Matsumoto owner who is carrying out their family tradition for around 62 years. On a warm, sunny day the store sells out upwards of 1000 tasty treats to locals and tourists alike.
ADDRESS66-111 Kamehameha Hwy # 605, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
SOCIAL LINKS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatsumotoShaveIce/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matsumotoshaveice/?hl=en
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2. Waiola Shave Ice
ABOUT – When the hot summer months arrive typically thousands of locals and tourists crave various cold and sweet treats, Well Waiola Shave ice is among one of the finest places that sell shave ice during humid days. The little store in Waiola Street is very famous mostly for its yummy Shave Ice with amazing flavors, homemade toppings, and affordable prices.
Back in 1940 Waiola store was opened and after a few years shave ice was introduced by the owners. It’s in a cute little shop, which adds to the charm of the spot. The Waiola Shave Ice is extremely a mouthwatering delight because of its shave ice texture that is fine and fluffy.
ADDRESS2135 Waiola St, Honolulu, Hi 96826, USA
SOCIAL LINKS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaiolaShaveIce
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waiolashaveice/?hl=en
3. Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha
ABOUT – If you want to enjoy signature Hawaii cold treats then you must visit Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha to enjoy their delicious shave ice. Uncle clay’s House serves all-natural homemade shave ice with the topping of real fruit syrups.
They got lots of their special creations like a classic rainbow which comes with strawberry, pineapple, and mango with some Tahitian ice cream on top, aside this their special list hasuji kintoki, Hawaiian superman, Chocó Paradise, and lihing lover which is sweet sour salty plum which is quite famous among locals. In short, you will love them all.
ADDRESS: Aina Haina shopping center, 820 w Hind DR 116, Honolulu, HI 96821, USA
SOCIAL LINKS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houseofpurealoha/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncleclays/?hl=en
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4. Island Vintage Shave Ice
ABOUT – Island Vintage Shave ice is in the middle of Waikiki, very popular among tourists because of its spectacular location, it is one of the top places in Hawaii that are well known and sells the extremely best shave ice on the island.
They serve shaved ice with lots of fresh fruit and have that taste that melts into your mouth by filling your taste buds with lots of sweet flavors. They got nine different flavors mango and coconut are the most popular ones but regardless of that no matter what shave ice flavor you choose on their list you will absolutely love it.
ADDRESS: 2201 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
SOCIAL LINKS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/islandvintageshaveice/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/islandvintageshaveice/?hl=en
5. Shimazu Shave Ice
ABOUT – Another amazing place on our list of best shave ice is Shimazu shave ice which is a local favorite place on the island of Oahu to fill your stomach with hot local grinds and cool Hawaii desserts. Shimazu is cash only but here you can get your hands on massive shave ice with almost 100 different flavors.
This shop offers some really special flavors like royal green milk tea, peaches n creams, and tasty durian that will surely please your sweet tooth. The unique thing about their huge shave ice is really fine ice and syrup that is poured until it reaches the end.
ADDRESS: 3111 Castle St, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
SOCIAL LINKS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shimazustoreliliha/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shimazu_shave_ice/?hl=en
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6. Shimazu Store
ABOUT – People in town love to cool off with super sweet desserts at Shimazu Store. Shimazu Store is right by the highway which is easily accessed. If you have a sweet tooth, this store offers you the perfect dessert for you. This place used to be a convenience store called B & S, but after some time it was converted to Shimazu Store.
At the Shimazu store, you can easily buy a variety of desserts, Frozen Yogurt, and ice creams and famously known for its shaved ice which comes in lots of flavors.
The staff here is really friendly, the prices are also amazing and top of all they are really generous when it comes to pouring the syrup on top of your sweet treat.
ADDRESS: 330 N School St, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA.
SOCIAL LINKS
7. Kaimana Shave Ice
ABOUT – Tired of all the artificial sweeteners used in most shaved ice? Well, you are in luck! Because now we will share the best one with you and that is Kaimana Shave ice from where you can get all naturally flavored shave ice while your stay in Oahu Hawaii.
The Kaimana Shave ice was founded in 2018, unlike most shave ice shops which have been around for even 50 years, Kaimana is the rookie in town but has made itself stand out and known for its uniqueness and authenticity.
The Kaimana have quite a lot of flavors option even though they prepare homemade syrup from real fruits to top the shave ice.
ADDRESS: 66519 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
SOCIAL LINKS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaimanashaveice/
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kaimanashaveice/?hl=en
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8. Aoki’s Shave Ice
ABOUT – Aoki’s shave ice is a short distance from Matsumoto’s shave ice. But what’s better here is a smaller number of people waiting for their turns to get their meals. Their ice is very nicely crushed, and you can choose from more than 30 flavors. You can even go for combos of two flavors.
If you want something really sweet and nothing like a little sour, you may go for simple flavors like mango. In case you want something mixed, try Tiger’s Blood which includes strawberry, coconut, and watermelon flavors.
Those who crave some sour flavor should try flavors like bubble gum, and raspberry, or some mixed flavor like Sour Pucker.
ADDRESS: 66-082 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712, United States
SOCIAL LINKS
- Official Website: http://www.aokishaveice.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aokishaveice/
9. Island Snow Cafe
ABOUT – This shave ice stand has a different level of popularity because this has been President Obama’s favorite shave ice spot. Stylish urban streetwear, as well as shave ice, are both sold here at this Kailua shop.
The special thing about this shave ice is the bottom layer of ice cream, although it’s optional it does add a whole new taste to the shave ice. I personally love it this way. You can have shaved ice with your favorite flavors over a fine quantity of ice cream at the bottom. Also, unlike many other shave pieces of ice, you might have tried, this one is just perfectly sweetened.
In case you’re wondering what Obama likes here, it’s the ‘Snow Bama’ combo of cherry, guava, and lemon-lime, sometimes with melon flavors too but no ice cream underneath!
ADDRESS: 2930 Justin Rd STE 100, Highland Village, TX 75077, United States
SOCIAL LINKS:
- Official Website: https://islandsnow.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070250970870
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Best Shave Ice Oahu – FAQs
Summing It Up
A local favorite in Hawaii is shaved ice.
The Islands now have dozens of places where you can get shaved ice. On Oahu’s North Shore, there are traditional family-run shops like Matsumoto’s and Aoki’s Shave Ice and places like Fresh Shave on Kauai and Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha in east Oahu that serves shave ice saturated with fruit syrups.
On Hawaii Island and Kauai, places such as Waiola Shave Ice serve to shave ice out of food trucks.
On a hot, sunny day, this sweet treat will cool you off no matter where you get it.
