If you go to Hawaii and don’t eat shave ice every day, did you really go to Hawaii? Who knew that simply mixing ice and juice could be so wonderful? Every time I go to Hawaii, I make it my mission to eat shave ice at once per day. It’s the perfect treat after being out in the Hawaiian sun! These are my top 5 best shave ices in Hawaii.
Pro tip: While in Hawaii, be sure to call it by its proper name of “shave ice.” Calling it “shaved ice” is incorrect and an easy way to stand out as a tourist.
5. Halfway to Hana, Maui
Halfway to Hana is, as you’d expect, is located halfway on the Road to Hana. Without stops, it’s about an hour past the town of Paia, where the drive begins. Halfway to Hana is famous for their banana bread and macadamia nut ice cream, both of which are also worth stopping for. However, shave ice is life and I had to stop and get some as well.
Funny story: As I was climbing back into our Jeep with my cup of shave ice, I tripped and dropped it all over the car. I didn’t even get one bite! It seeped all down my body and legs, and splattered everywhere in the Jeep. It looked like a crime scene! Don’t worry, I got a new one of course (after a few laughs and a rinse down from a hose).
4. Diamond Head, O’ahu
This one was a surprise, as we didn’t expect to find shave ice here! Next to the parking lot at Diamond Head right near the trailhead was a large food truck that sold everything from pineapple drinks, to burgers, to – you guessed it – shave ice. I opted to go with the classic strawberry and it was delicious! Honestly tasted like you were biting into a fresh strawberry picked straight from the bush.
Plus, it was the perfect treat after hiking up and down the Diamond Head crater!
3. Ululani’s, Maui
There are several Ululani’s speckled across the island of Maui. We stopped at the one in Lahaina as we were exploring the town. Ululani’s had the longest list of flavors that I had seen at any shave ice stand, and it was honestly overwhelming! They helped out by listing some of the “favorite combinations,” but I opted to go for my classic: Strawberry – Grape – Blue Raspberry. This shave ice was much softer than the others, and had more of a creamy texture. There were plenty of picnic tables with umbrellas to enjoy your treat in the shade.
2. Jojo’s, Kauai
There are three JoJo’s locations on the island of Kauai. We went to the one in Waimea after spending the afternoon exploring the canyon nearby. The main street of Kaumualii Highway is perfect to walk along as you window shop and scoop your shave ice.
The shave ice at JoJo’s? The biggest we had ever seen! This order in the photo to the right? That’s the smallest size they offer. They come in two sizes: Da Kine (28 oz.) and Kahuna (40 oz.). Both are so large that they could easily be shared!
1. Wishing Well, Kauai
But my all time favorite shave ice in all of Hawaii? Wishing Well Shave Ice in the town of Hanalei on Kauai. The flavors were rich and the vibe was authentic Hawaiian. It’s a small shack off Kuhio Highway and offered fresh, organic juices to cover your ice. The combination of the flavors and vibe make Wishing Well an easy #1 for me. They offered a small shop of tee shirts, stickers, and trinkets that were a better souvenir to bring home than the typical Made in China garbage. Plus, they made efforts to limit their waste by serving their shave ice in recycled bowls and giving metal spoons. My mouth is drooling just writing this!
Does your list of 5 best shave ices in Hawaii differ? Let me know if there are any places I need to check out on my next trip!
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