The 9 Best Places for Shave Ice in Hawai‘i

This stationary food truck located in Hanalei offers both organic and artificial syrups, alongside fresh fruit and honey toppings. Don’t miss their signature combination, Tropical Bliss — a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream hidden beneath ice drenched in liliko‘i and coconut syrups, finished with papaya chunks and coconut flakes.

Is there such a role as a shave ice chef? Before launching this nostalgic red trailer with high school friend Joshua Tamaoka, Brandon Baptiste, a local Kaua‘i native (son of the late mayor Bryan Baptiste), honed his skills at the Culinary Institute of America and worked as a line cook at Per Se. His refined palate shines through in creations like the Lava Flow, adorned with a fluffy coconut foam, and the Lilikoi Cream, featuring fresh liliko‘i and vanilla bean milk. While some flavors are seasonal, all are made from natural ingredients, leaning towards a lighter, less sugary profile, often enhanced with fruit juices rather than syrups.

The Fresh Shave operates from a charming 1960s Lil Loafer chrome trailer and is part of a new wave of shave ice establishments on Kaua‘i (the other two are mentioned below). Here, you won’t find the option to mix and match flavors; instead, they offer preset menu combinations named after different mustache styles, ranging from healthier choices to indulgent treats. For something on the lighter side, try The Chevron, a delightful blend of coconut and lime topped with coconut chia-seed cream. For a truly decadent experience, order The Dirt McGirt from the secret menu, featuring Kauai coffee cold brew, chocolate, and coconut cream, finished with chocolate cookie crumbles.

Matsumoto started as a grocery store in 1951, but over the years, its shave ice has become the star attraction. Now, shave ice is the sole focus of the business. In 2015, Matsumoto underwent renovations alongside the revitalization of Hale‘iwa’s main street, transforming this once-sleepy sugar plantation town, known for its surfers and hippies, into a polished tourist hotspot (though it still clings to its roots). The new Matsumoto is bright and modern, yet the core remains unchanged: they produce over 1,000 shave ice servings daily, each adorned with vivid colors and artificial flavors. If you're craving a rainbow—classic red, blue, and yellow syrups—this is the place to visit.

One of the oldest shave ice shops in Hawai‘i, operating since 1940, Waiola provides the quintessential shave ice experience: a dazzling rainbow of colors drizzled over incredibly soft, fluffy snow, served from the window of a well-loved neighborhood store. The ice melts almost instantly on the tongue, leaving behind a sweet syrup that may taste artificial but evokes cherished childhood memories of Hawai‘i.

Enhance your ice with the cleverly named liliko‘i (passionfruit) cream, a thick syrup resembling honey, speckled with liliko‘i seeds.

Two locations: 2135 Waiola St., (808) 949-2269; 3113 Mokihana St., (808) 735-8886

Experience luxurious shave ice at this spot located in two of the island's most upscale open-air shopping centers. Indulge in richly flavored syrups that are slightly sweeter than those found at other all-natural shave ice vendors. Try their signature Heavenly Lilikoi, where you'll uncover layers of frozen yogurt beneath ice drenched in passionfruit and strawberry syrup, offering a delightful blend of creamy, icy, tart, and sweet flavors in every bite. The addition of fresh, chewy mochi and popping boba provides even more delightful textures.

For many years, Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha was known as Doe Fang, the neighborhood candy store. Its shelves were filled with jars of crack seed (sweet and salty preserved fruit) and an Icee machine that churned out blue and red slush. The shop faced challenges until owner Clayton Chang and his nephew Bronson decided to reinvent it as an all-natural shave ice shop in 2011. This fresh concept still attracts the original crowd — afternoons buzz with construction workers, Korean War veterans, and families enjoying each other's company. They savor real-fruit syrups in tropical flavors like guava, pineapple, and liliko‘i, which lend the finely shaved ice soft pastel colors.

A visit to Ululani’s is essential when in Maui, with five highly popular locations. The ice is shaved to a velvety texture, and with nearly 50 flavors available, Ululani’s caters to both fans of all-natural fruit syrups and those who believe shave ice must include blue raspberry and pink bubblegum.

In Hilo, Tiffany and Luke Golden established Kula Shave Ice, where they craft their own syrups without artificial ingredients. Enjoy tropical flavors like guava and soursop, as well as unique combinations such as Lilikoi Dreamsicle—ice infused with the tangy fruit, layered over vanilla ice cream, and drizzled with condensed milk. Toppings include mochi and even poi. Kula Shave Ice also has a location in Haleiwa on Oahu's north shore.