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    Waiola Shave Ice

    4.0 (958 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Waiola Shave Ice

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    Look at the cute lil figures
    Maribel H.

    This place felt nostalgic? Even though I have never stepped foot here before haha but it has a certain charm to it. Reminds me of childhood. The shaved ice itself was really good! Came with ice-cream at the bottom and was decently priced. Parking lot fits about 4 or 5 cars? I could be wrong though? Maybe it fits more? There is parking in the neighborhood as well. Overall, I would recommend this spot. Wish I tried more items on the menu though.

    Annie C.

    I love this brand of shaved ice so much i went twice during my vacation recently and order two different shaved ice. The flavors combo variety is amazing. I got matcha cream, strawberry cream and blue vanilla with custard and ice cream for the 1st order. I would say the ice cream and flan was a bjt too much. So for the 2nd order i just went with a flan, dressed in orange cream, blue Hawaii, green apple. Service was quick, they have a merch store as well.

    Jan 2026
    Catherine P.

    I have my favorites but today I decided to try something new. I got their large custard bowl which comes with egg custard on the bottom and coconut cream syrup. They asked if I wanted vanilla cream instead but I decided to go with how they listed it. I also added lychee jelly to try. I really loved the coconut cream too, light but flavorful. The custard was egg tasting kind of like the egg tarts you get from dim sum. It really felt like a halo halo or the dessert you get after eating hot pot. I am glad I ventured out of my comfort zone because it was delicious. Parking: stalls in the front, along the side, and a dedicated parking next to it. They also added a covering to their seating area with benches and tables. Very helpful when there is a lot of people or it's raining.

    Roz M.

    I did not know that there was a 2nd location of...WAIOLA SHAVE ICE. Until one day, my daughter and I spent the day going on a foodie adventure! After lunch, she wanted a sweet and cool treat. So, she mentioned WAIOLA...this specific location. Wow, I couldn't believe how many parking stalls there were. It was so nice to be able to drive up and park in one of the marked stalls. Unlike the other location which has less parking stalls which I ALWAYS dread, lol. The store is exactly the same as the other location. They sell shave ice, crack seeds, snacks and WAIOLA merch. The only difference is that this location has a cute little area to the side to sit and enjoy your shave ice. There are a few picnic tables with some cool photo ops. So, if you are craving shave ice, go and check out WAIOLA SHAVE ICE on Kapahulu. You'll thank me for that!

    Front entrance to little Waiola logo shop area with a handful of seats too.
    Teri C.

    Haven't been here in years... but we were in Kapahulu and jus had lunch - wanted to enjoy an azuki bowl like how we remembered from school days time. Lots of parking and limited bench seating to enjoy on-site. The Azuki Bowl is now $7 plus $1 to add ice cream... shareable size for our dessert. The Azuki Bowl is still a beauty... but mochi and ice cream portions got noticably small. Through the years, Waiola remains a classic shave ice spot in town (2 neighborhood locations). Waiola Shave Ice remains a good choice for a local, refreshing treat.

    Mango sticky rice!!
    Albert L.

    If you're looking for the real deal when it comes to Hawaiian shave ice, Waiola is where you need to go. This place has been a Honolulu institution for years, and after my visit, I totally get why. What sets Waiola apart is the texture of their shave ice--it's shaved so thin it practically melts on your tongue. I ordered the mango sticky rice bowl with ice cream and mochi, and it was perfection. The flavors were bright and authentic, not that artificial syrupy taste you get at lesser spots. The ice cream hidden in the middle was a game-changer, adding creaminess that balanced out the fruit flavors beautifully. The atmosphere is super laid-back and local. You'll see families, tourists, and regulars all lined up together, which tells you everything you need to know. Prices are reasonable too, especially considering the quality and portion size you're getting. My only tip: go during off-peak hours if you can, because this place gets packed, especially on weekends. But honestly, even if you have to wait, you won't regret it. This is hands-down some of the best shave ice on the island. Rating: (5/5)

    "Da Works" is da bomb
    Jay B.

    The main one is typically pretty crowded, and this one...every time I've come(which is maybe 2-3 times per trip to Oahu), it's NEVER been crowded. No more than one party ahead each time we've come. Parking - easy peasy. Directly in front of the store front and tables right next to the building. Service - you gotta be pretty clear and specific on what you want, esp if you're modifying or adding anything onto your shave ice order...sometimes there's a bit of tbe language barrier with the ladies at the counter. But still, it's Waiola's...and well, mmmmm Waiola's. My go to is "Da Works" which comes with ice cream, condensed milk, lychee jelly, and mochi, with POG, mango, lychee flavor. The girls like the rainbow ice cream bowl with extra mochi. Really, it's hard to go wrong here, and when in doubt, point at a picture of something that looks pretty and you're more or less good to go. One little warning - Beware of the ice cream headache from trying to eat it all so fast =)

    Waiola Rainbow Custard Bowl
    Kayla C.

    Waiola Shave Ice - 5 stars This spot is a true Hawaiian classic--and now I understand why it's won so many awards! Waiola Shave Ice is the perfect pick-me-up, especially on a hot day. I went with the rainbow combo and added ice cream underneath... game changer. I didn't know I needed that combo in my life, but now I'm obsessed. I first saw this place recommended all over TikTok, and I'll admit--I was a little skeptical. But my followers didn't steer me wrong. The line was steady, the flavors were endless, and the vibe felt just right. There's plenty of outdoor seating, making it a great stop to cool off with friends or just soak in the sunshine with something sweet. If I lived nearby, I'd be here daily. So glad I made the stop while in town--this won't be my last visit!

    Krisa T.

    Popular, near the hotel, and walkable? Ok, I'm checking it out. There wasn't room for a regular, instagramable size dessert but there's always some room and the keiki size provided satisfaction. The uncle joe's flavors went really well together. I didn't want to get strawberry since I prefer trying flavors you normally can't get anywhere else but I really enjoyed strawberry, vanilla, and coconut with the addition of condensed milk drizzled on top. Coconut was an issue with the person I was sharing with but the coconut was subtle and shaved ice was a success. It was a cool, refreshing treat for the walk back.

    Cin V.

    My family and I love Waiola. We've been to most locations already. This specific location has. a small parking area, which is definitely more convenient than other Waiola spots I've been to. There's a small shop with souvenirs, which I appreciate. We were able to buy a few gibbits. The shave ice was soft and held the flavors well. Service was fast but staff is always so hesitant to provide more spoons or napkins, which can be a hindrance. There was my first time at this location and won't be my last.

    Evelyn T.

    I love how soft and fluffy the shaved ice is here! I got the matcha cream and haupia. The flavors were good and so refreshing! I appreciate the different sizes of shaved ice they have here, because I was full from lunch but of course there's always room for dessert.

    Where order and Menu June 2024
    Jon D.

    The best in the neighborhood since we were kids. My friends that went to Punahou used to run cross country and Waiola Shave Ice would be the reward after a long run. Now I find myself in the area, looking at the line at Shimazu next to Rainbow Drive-in and driving past and headign to Waiola Shave Ice instead. It's a hidden gem at this point. Off the beaten path. For a few years Obama made it quite popular again with it being his Shave Ice of choice. Their shave ice is very finely cut and it has all the bells and whistles as well such as ice cream, condensed milk, azuki bean etc. There is plenty of parking and its off the main road, so it feels relaxing if you have to park on the street. The prices are still good, didn't go up too much. Overall a good choice for Shave Ice just outside of Waikiki without the crowd.

    Mike L.

    Waiola Shave Ice definitely lives up to the hype. We ordered a few different combinations to try, including their special strawberry ice with strawberry jam and condensed milk on top, a large bowl with lychee, mango, and orange dreamsicle, and a small bowl with mango and pink lemonade. The standout here is the texture--the ice was incredibly fluffy and much softer compared to other shave ice spots we tried on the island. It made each bite light and refreshing. The flavors were also well-balanced, tasting vibrant without being overwhelmingly sweet.

    Additional parking available next lot

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    Not sure why all my favorite spots near home have the unfriendly staff, but the BEST on island food!

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    Business owner information

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    Waiola S.

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    Waiola Shave Ice Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Waiola Shave Ice

    You guys take credit cards for the payments?

    Yes

    Is there a parking?

    Yes, both locations have plenty of parking spots. Another one you can park in the building next to it

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Good: Ordering is easy using a kiosk which provided clear instructions to the user. Quick service,…read moreeven near closing. At 8:30 pm, the place was packed, which is a great sign. Standard generous portion for a bingsu location, notably generous for an Ala Moana location. The location itself was free of insects despite being on a ground floor location with sugary desserts everywhere. Meh: The $14 (including 15% tip) dessert tasted too light and ice-like and appeared more translucent (rather than opaque white) than expected, leading me to think the milk was watered down, which may be how the establishment can make up the cost for the portion size while maintaining a spot in Ala Moana, especially given milk prices in Hawai'i, even if you're buying from Costco or direct from farmers. Also, tables were not cleaned after each party departed; that transparent puddle on your table might not be condensation and may instead be drool drops from the toddler who sat there before you. Overall: Good (not outstanding) experience. Knocked off 2 stars for combination of suspected diluted milk + unclean tables.

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    Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice - Sunset beach (kid size)

    Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

    4.6(526 reviews)
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    I stopped by here yesterday with my father for an afternoon snack. My father was looking to get a…read moreshave ice and who am I to complain with that? So I looked on Yelp and was able to find this location of Uluani's which, while close to Waikiki, is not in the chaos of Waikiki. In any case, for my shave ice on this day I went with an ulu and chose lilikoi and coconut as my two flavors. My father also went with an ulu and chose grape, lime, and coconut as his flavors. The ice here was shaved super thin and, as usual, I loved the flavors. The coconut at Uluani's is creamy with a nice coconut flavor while the lilikoi is both sharp and sweet, which makes for a great combo. My father also enjoyed his combination, which included flavors I had never tried from Uluani's before. The bottom line for me is that I would head back here again in the future. As I have stated in other reviews before, I consider Uluani's to be the standard for shave ice and this visit only reinforced that.

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    Waiola Shave Ice - icecream - Updated June 2026

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