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    C U Hawaii at Kahala Korner

    3.7 (12 reviews)

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    Outside
    Nadine C.

    Shopping in Kahala, Honolulu, Hawai'i... My friend, Jackie K., posted a "tip"... that C U Hawaii (convenience store) was now open at Kahala Korner. I haven't even been to the one in Downtown Honolulu... yikes! Anyway, I checked it out because the parking is much better (free, shared lot) in Kahala than in Downtown (I would go on a Sunday when metered street parking is free). This C U Hawaii is cozy. There was a line to get in. A helpful staff at the door held the door open for customers and motioned people to come in as others left. It was quite organized! Inside, there were all kinds of snacks, candy, cold beverages, skin care products, and cute plushie purse charms! The $1.99 special on ice cups caught my attention. I wanted to try one, and decided on a watermelon flavored beverage. It was a fun experience to open the ice cup and pour the beverage over the ice! LOL! I look forward to returning!

    Logo items
    Karen S.

    When the sentry steps away, LOL five people slip in...and when he returned, he asked us, how do you feel about claustrophobia? Thank goodness, he waited until more than five people departed the store before he let us five in. There is a little stanchion that wraps around the store a bit (along the parking lot to the entrance) but the lot is tiny, sharing space with the popular Olive Tree Cafe. The aisles are definitely on the thin side, and staff are trying to pull dated product and restock at the same time with customers squeezing by, which makes for a very crowded aisle. Be patient and considerate of each other, and all will be well. Everyone is checking out the many foods, beverages, treats, and logo items. Clearly, things sell out fast, giving you all the more reason to return in future! And yes, those ice cups sell out daily. (There were a few disappointed customers while I was there, with handfuls of foil beverage pouches in hand.). Even the back freezer was out of them, despite the ice cup sign (see pic). They also have frozen acai cups to blend into smoothies, and of course, Icee, so do enjoy a cool treat - or take the pouches home and enjoy your own ice cup! There are so many flavors to choose from, including zero sugar (which understandably cost a bit more). There's two ramen cooking stations and a microwave, so if you have those hangry moments, never fear! They've got you! The bottled beverage reefer has a great variety to choose from (which I took pics of, but didn't personally peruse, so as not to take up space unnecessarily). I did get a few foil beverage pouches to try at home. I found the watermelon one a tad sweet, and I'm a watermelon fan, but I'll find my perfect blend eventually with a little water added! I know I'm coming back to try more things-did you see the BOGO sale? See my empty shelf picture...LOL! Have fun, enjoy, and Happy YELPING!

    front
    Gabriel P.

    My curiosity got the better of me. I told my wife let's goto C U Hawaii to check them out and see what we could pick up for lunch. The parking entrance is from Kilauea Avenue. We got lucky and got the Handicap stall right in front the entrance. Staff was friendly and helpful. The store itself is small. A couple of short aisles and a checkout counter. You can make yourself a ramen or pick up sandwiches, musubis and other snacks. We picked up a couple sandwiches and the Potato Tornado. The ham and cheese sandwich was good. The smoked ham was flavorful. My wife had the tuna sandwich. Which she said was ok. The Potato Tornado was interesting. It's a potato spiral on a stick. Slightly seasoned and deep fried. It came with a packet of cheese seasoning. I suggest you use the packet of seasoning. Enjoy

    Store entrance at Kahala Korner  on corner of Kilauea avenue.
    Angela M.

    Visiting this location was, "meh." First, the parking situation is tricky of course. This store shares an area with two different restaurants in an already busy part of Kahala so I parked on the street. It wasn't bad at all since I got lucky with a spot nearby. The store is very small. There is only room to get what you need and leave. I also visited this location the day after it opened to the public so naturally, there was a line to wait before entering. I bought the Bulgogi Alfredo pasta and one melon, one strawberry flavored milk drinks. These were refreshing after a workout. The prices of course, reflect what you would expect in Hawaii. However, it was great to see the unique options from a Korean convenience store.

    Entrance and parking lot.
    Neal I.

    I've been to the CU in downtown, which is huge, so wanted to check out this one that just opened in the neighborhood. It's way smaller than the other one but still has a nice variety of Korean foods that you won't find at your typical convenience store. The noodle dishes that you can prepare there are priced a little higher than other markets but its for the convenience of being able to make ready and eat it right away. This is one of the cool things about CU, they have the hot water and bowls to prep your noodles. You gotta see it to believe it since its not just a pot of hot water. Some of the Korean bentos were very reasonable. A bibimbap, no egg, was $7.99 and looked good. Besides the unique Korean products, there is a bunch of convenience store food that you could get anywhere and probably cheaper. All in all, its a fun place to shop. The employees were all very helpful and friendly. I wouldn't go out of my to come here but if im nearby, I would pop in since parking is right out front. It's also conveniently located just outside of the mall.

    Entrance

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    Pioneer Pantry

    Pioneer Pantry

    5.0
    (7 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $

    I've come to know Pioneer Pantry for a while now. It's a small little convenience store that can be…read morea lifesaver and a place where life can restore some meaning in the universe. It's a place where you can be yourself. I've come to value Pioneer Pantry for what it is. They've been here for 20 years and I'm just noticing for a month or so now in June 2026. I recently relocated jobs and now work in the downtown Honolulu area. After discovering Pioneer Pantry, I feel like its been a good thing to have when you're running late and didn't have breakfast. Its nice to come here and score some breakfast muffins or those bag of chips, or even cold drinks to have during drab office hours during the day. Pioneer Pantry functions like a 7-Eleven with an actual live kitchen in the back. Pioneer Pantry is a small functioning convenience store that carries most things that many people enjoy on a daily basis. On most mornings, I would enter the store running late to the office and stumble through here. I would pick up a couple of items and a cold drink and be on my way. I wasn't sure if the fountain drink machine was operational or not, so I just grabbed a cold bottle from one of their refrigerators. The prices here can be a bit more than other places, but I was in a rush - most days anyway. The overall experience here at the Pioneer Pantry is good and blessed that they are here. It's nice to have them here for those of us who are rushing to work and have this oasis on the way there for breakfast and other necessities. During the early morning though, they are open along with the Wiki Wiki Drive Inn before 8am. During the lunch hours, they are open along with the other restaurants in the Pioneer Plaza food court fully open for business. The ladies in the back of the store are very friendly and are awesome. Small business owners are amazing for sure. I try to stop by every day here to pick up something for breakfast. Knowing my schedule, I tend to sleep in and rush to work anyway and having Pioneer Pantry here to help is a big boost for me. Majority of my experiences here are happy ones and don't intend on changing. For the most part though, it's always nice to have this place here. While people have their Starbucks or McDonald's in the morning, I rely on Pioneer Pantry for my cold morning beverage of choice, which incidentally includes a cold soda with or without ice. Most people love hot or iced coffee to start their day. I prefer cold soda. Not healthy, but its my thing and it's pretty good. The Pioneer Pantry is located inside Pioneer Plaza building on the 1st floor food court. It's physically located at 900 Fort Street Mall in downtown Honolulu. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. It's next to the taco place and the Subway restaurant. As far as parking is concerned, best bet would be either street parking or paid parking garages nearby. If you are like me, public transportation is good and there's a bunch of bus routes that traverse thru the downtown corridor. Pick the ones that stop off at either Bishop Street or Fort Street Mall and walk on over. And of course, there's always Uber and Lyft and even Tauro, if you need their services. For now though, if you work or pass thru downtown Honolulu and don't like what the others are offering you, consider Pioneer Pantry at the Pioneer Plaza building. It's a nice trip here to grab something on the way to work every morning. Or a quick snack for lunch too. Its definitely a lifesaver when you're running late and you can support local businesses too. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! A+

    My co-workers and I have been frequenting this tiny convenience store in Pioneer Plaza for years…read more Joanne, the owner, is the sweetest lady you'll meet. She is so personable and a joy to speak with. She offers inexpensive breakfast bentos featuring white or fried rice, a fried egg and pieces of Portuguese sausage, bacon or frankfurter. The meat varies. It used to sell for $3 but now costs $4.50 (I think). It's still a deal and the containers are great! (We use them to hold leftovers.) During lunch she sets up an array of entrees ... Honey Walnut shrimp, Beef with Vegetables, Meat Jun, Spicy Chicken, Choi Sum, Vegetable Pancake ... the selection varies by day and she offers two or three starches. A two-choice plate ($9.75) comes with a choice of white rice, fried rice or noodles. You have to go early; she can run out of food by 12:30pm. I usually choose one chicken dish and a vegetable with fried rice or noodles. A co-worker always gets the Honey-Walnut shrimp. It's hard to find a better deal in a plate lunch in downtown Honolulu. Her drinks are "the deal", $1.25, $1.50 and $1.75, for large, larger and humongous. Add in the personable service and you have a winner! Hey, stay away, we don't want any more competition for her food. Highly recommended!

    Photos
    Fried rice, zucchini & mushrooms and meat (or fish) jun
    Fried rice, zucchini & mushrooms and meat (or fish) jun
    Entrance to shop
    Entrance to shop
    Noodles, beef broccoli and spicy chicken

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    Noodles, beef broccoli and spicy chicken
    Kukui Convenience

    Kukui Convenience

    4.0
    (43 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $

    My fave spam musubi spot is in this little convenience store located in Kukui Plaza! The sauce they…read moreuse for cooking the spam is superior and so good!

    Best Musubi in Hawaii, I know there's tons of musubi available in Hawaii but I would say it is the…read moreBest musubi in Downtown, Honolulu! Whenever I am in the area or wanting to grab musubi for family or just ME, I make a stop here. Bonus, you get those musubi hot & fresh, if you don't see them on counter or the musubi you want is not available in egg with spam or just spam, only 2 varieties, mom or pop will make it right there for you. @$2.00 for spam only and I believe $2.45 for egg with spam. Located at Kukui Plaza tucked away in the back, you will have to walk pass few shops, to see the handwritten sign of " Best Musubi in Hawaii" posted on the door. Although there are bentos available & other goodies, I am mostly here for the delicious musubi. Why so good? My opinion, lets start with spam, perfectly cooked, with secret sauce, love the umami taste while I took my first bite, and the rice is hot & moist, not watery & not premium rice but it is still good, along with the nori. I loved everything about this musubi. Great spam to rice ratio. The only thing that I need is some of my chili spices! Mom & Pop is super friendly, I remember asking how many musubi's they sell a day and owner mentioned they make and sell over 100 a day. I usually park quick at the loading zone of Kukui Plaza, let the security know and walk over real quick to load up on my musubi(s). Don't forget cash only! Recommend, check it out and get your musubi fix or a quick and convenient lunch!

    Photos
    Kukui Convenience
    2 left.
    2 left.
    Piece of spam is thin and overall rice is flat.

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    Piece of spam is thin and overall rice is flat.
    Longs Drugs

    Longs Drugs

    2.9
    (153 reviews)
    5.3 mi
    $$

    I've been going to this Longs for years, and I honestly don't know what happened to it, but the…read morecurrent experience is hard to ignore. Every time I walk inside, there's a strong, unpleasant odor that smells like sewage or fecal matter. It's consistent enough that it doesn't feel like a one-off issue--it's something you notice immediately when you enter the store. At times it seems stronger in certain areas, which makes me wonder if it's coming from plumbing, floor drains, or possibly even outside air getting pulled in. What's frustrating is that this location used to feel like one of the better-run stores on the island. Now, the overall impression is very different. Even if the shelves are stocked and the staff is doing their job, the environment itself really affects the experience of shopping there. What stands out is the comparison with nearby stores like Safeway, which don't seem to have the same issue, even though they serve the same general area. That contrast makes the problem at this location even more noticeable. I hope management takes a serious look at it, because this doesn't feel like a minor cleanliness issue--it feels like an infrastructure or maintenance problem that's been left unresolved for too long. It's a shame, because the store has a lot of potential and used to be a go-to spot.

    Always super busy but that is the location as well as the fact that Longs has just about…read more EVERYTHING. Owned by CVS now...but still retains the soul of a Hawaiian independent drug store. A nice hybrid. They need self check out.

    Photos
    Longs Drugs
    Longs Drugs
    Longs Drugs

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    ABC Stores

    ABC Stores

    4.0
    (72 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    For some reason, I always have a slushie craving when at Ala Moana, yet can never find one that's…read morenot overloaded with sugar. I go round and round the food courts to no avail. I then remembered that ABC has a store here, first level by the centerstage. It's not a full-fledged location with a kitchen but they have all the usual souvenirs, snacks and beverages including alcohol. ABC didn't fare well in the slushie department either and by this time I was so parched and over it, I just ended up with a healthy bottle of water. I was greeted by one of the female cashiers as I entered, though I didn't get one from the male cashier who rang me up. OVERALL: Convenience at its best.

    Have you ever heard about da inside joke about "ABC Stores"?…read more This really applies if one is in Waikiki, because if a local asked another local - "eh, where you stay???" And the local says - "I stay by the ABC Store!", guess what???? Probably every block in Waikiki get one ABC Store! Buwahahahahaha! Well, lucky for me, ABC Stores are also located at the Ala Moana Shopping Center, and if I'm correct, there's like two stores. One store is located by the centerstage of the Ala Moana Shopping Center, and the newer ABC Store is located on the west wing going towards the Foodland Farms store, or a few doors down from Spectrum. Although I don't shop at ABC Stores on a regular basis, I have been known to pop into the store for a snack, or a drink once in a blue moon. While cruisin' a Ala Moana yesterday, I decided to pop on into the ABC Store by the center stage area for a coffee, since I missed my morning cup of joe. Rest-a-sure, whenever one goes to an ABC Store, you'll find a very clean & well organized store. ABC Stores kinda caters to our visiting tourist, as you'll find an array of Hawaii souvenirs, food items, and some really cool t-shirts! Walking into this particular ABC Store, I was taken back at the very nice designs they had for their t-shirts. The shirts did not look touristy, and even a local like me would proudly buy & wear some of those designs. Locally owned by the Kosasa ohana, shop local & support local whenever you can. A little history about the Kosasa ohana & how ABC Store came about (see link) https://shidler.hawaii.edu/tim/legacy-in-tourism/past-recipients/paul-kosasa

    Photos
    I took this pic for my Yelp buddy  - Da FAMOUS Auntie,  Nadine C.! Lol!
    I took this pic for my Yelp buddy - Da FAMOUS Auntie, Nadine C.! Lol!
    Pineapple liquor. Cute container.
    Pineapple liquor. Cute container.
    ABC Stores

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    C U Hawaii at Kahala Korner - convenience - Updated July 2026

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