(Shopped 04/17/26 FR @ 4:00pm & 04/29/26 WE @ 6:00pm): This was a safe way to save some money!…read more
I finally made it to Safeway's Hawaii Kai location for food items just to hold me over. Growing up in Los Angeles, the Safeway brand was everywhere before it sold all of its Southern California locations to Vons in the 1980s. Then, in 1997 Safeway acquired the entire Vons brand. Today, the California geographic landscape for these two brands was split into Northern (Safeway) and Southern (Vons). With respect to Hawai'i's grocery-specific market, Safeway competed with Foodland and Times Supermarket. Did I find a way to safely spend my money wisely!?
PURCHASE(S)
2023 Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine 750ml Bottle Poured ($10.99): Real cork, ruby red color, cherry jammy oakey aroma, cherry jammy oakey sweet flavor, medium body, mouthfeel finish, drying cherry jammy oakey aftertaste, and medium astringency. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=264&select=Wwd9aiKJL39VtWxx92T8_A
Roselani Pa'uwela Sunrise Ice Cream 48oz container ($17.99): A local (Wailuku, Maui) family-owned premium brand with a relatively high butter fat content, this was creamy, filled with chunks of Maui pineapple, and tasted like a creamsicle. Pricey but delicious! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=288&select=ZH9JGyBynQgKKZRO9xykbA
The Purchase ($46.41): From beer, donuts, fried chicken, mac salad to tea, a little bit of this and that. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=120&select=K2djcqFkEr5xteBuwDbzAw
THE "APPLE FRITTER IS TAKING OVER THE WORLD TOUR" CONTINUED...
Apple Fritter ($1.49): Not that I was an apple fritter snob - eff it...yes I was! - but there was a certain way I liked mine. 1st, the price was less than the comparable going rate of $3.50. 2nd, it was small round shaped, the thickness and density was less than I liked, and more the size of my hand rather than my face (an ode to the great Goldstar Donuts in Van Nuys). 3rd, there were minimal apple bits. 4th, the overall medium-dark brown color was decent but no burnt ends (I loved it burnt!), and the medium glaze made for a nominal cracking effect. There were no crunchy odd crannies, corners, or nooks which I liked to break off into small little morsels. 5th, it was at room temperature with no hints of oil pockets or gooey apple juices that leaked into your mouth nor dripped down your throat. Overall, it had minimal value - 2.0 STARS. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=120&select=nunm-XlgP_p5awc8l5Whhg
Colored Sprinkles Maple Frosting Donut ($1.49): My "happy donut" because of all the vibrant colors, a quick nuke in the microwave brought it somewhat back to life. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=120&select=06mhxTGq2AeiKhDD97q9ig
Maui Brewing Co. Pineapple Chi Chi Golden Ale Beer 12floz Can 6pk Poured ($14.99): Amber golden color, fruity pineapple tropical aroma, light body, fruity pineapple sweet tropical flavor, clean crisp finish, and fruity pineapple sweet tropical aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=120&select=_KzUNh_PeEfcCqHYKTHTEQ
SERVICE
I roamed the aisles and found my intended purchases easily. The young women I dealt with behind the deli counter and at the checkout counter, respectively, were friendly and got me through quickly - mahalo!
PARKING
(FREE) Located at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, there was plenty of parking - 'nuff said!
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
Your basic large grocery store layout with multiple uniformed aisles, promotional end-caps, table displays, a floral/gifts area, and cashiers ready to take your money. A shout-out to the deli/prepared food section stocked with a ton of yummy food! It also contained a Starbucks. Plenty of natural lighting came in through the large front glass doors and windows while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs while music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=120&select=aTfLKfXh4TflUYP3JsL6yw
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Hawaii Kai's Safeway location was very convenient, served my immediate needs, and I would certainly shop again. Everything was similar to any other major grocery chain with many familiar brand name products. The prices were comparably higher than the mainland (sign up for their FREE rewards program), parking was easy, and the service was straightforward (I couldn't recall if they had self-checkout). I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $77.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS