Waiola Shave Ice
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I've been going to Waiola Shave Ice since I was a child, so it's extra special that I now get to bring my own children here every time we visit Oahu. It's one of those places that brings back so many childhood memories and never disappoints. The shave ice is so smooth and fluffy, and I love that they offer Keiki (kids) sizes--the perfect amount for little ones. My kids always look forward to getting their shave ice when we're on the island. There's street parking available, plus a parking lot to the right of the shave ice shop, which makes stopping by pretty convenient. There are also benches where you can sit and enjoy your shave ice, although there aren't any tables. If you're visiting Oahu, definitely add Waiola Shave Ice to your list. It's a must for our family every time we're back.
The best!!! I ordered 2 fruit flavors with condense milk as topping. Delicious!!! The condense milk made all the difference - sweet and creamy. What's not to love. We also order one with ice cream in the middle. That too was very good.
7/15/26 First dessert stop on the island is waiola shave ice of course!!! Large shave ice with sugar syrup for $5 melt in your mouth yum! Service is quick and easy! Mini mart style with goodies to sell avail inside. Always a line but usually quick. Located in a residential area with a small parking space or street parking! Takes CC and cash.
Very limited seating. There are only 2 benches outside. No restrooms either. We ordered shave ice. They also have candy, dried fruit, and li hing muy inside. The service was very quick. Best thing to have on a hot, humid day!
Waiola Shave Ice is a classic, must-have for locals and visitors. I always get the Strawberry Cream, but all their flavors are delicious and go great with the wide assortment of toppings that they offer. Some of the most delicious syrups and softest ice on the island. The workers are friendly and fast! Vibe: They have outdoor seating and a little shop full of snacks, merchandise, and trinkets inside. Parking: They have a small parking lot, but parking can be difficult. We usually park on the street.
Waiola Shave Ice has been operating for at least 20 years now, and located in a residential neighborhood away from shopping centers and malls. I remember my father taking me when I was in Elementary School, and for nostalgia sake, I decided to return after work. Open everyday from 11a-6:30p, its rare to see a local mom and pop shave ice shop open that late. The shave ice was as good as I remembered it 20 years ago. Can't wait to get the azuki bean one next.
Really is the best shave ice in Hawaii. The texture of the ice can't be beat and the syrups are not too sweet. Prices are also very reasonable. A small cup (perfect size for me) is $4 + toppings. The service is always quick. Parking is difficult though as it's only street parking.
The ice is smooooth and they had good selections of flavor. Service was standard and the establishment had its own parking lot and small seating areas for patrons. .
Located on Waiola Street in the heart of Honolulu is this gem. Famous for their delicious shaved jce. When ordering don't hesitate to get the ice creams and condensed milk. The service is great! The store is small and has lots of merch. Overall it's a must stop if you plan on staying on the south side of the island.
Arrived right when they opened and there were already customers waiting. The cashier was friendly, quick and somehow remembered all 4 of our orders. The shave ice was delicious and the syrups tasted homemade. Perfect way to follow up a beach day. The location felt family friendly and has a ton of merch inside the store.
So delicious and just what my sore throat needed and the staff was incredibly sweet!!! I will definitely be coming back and often
This is a spot I go to whenever I am in Honolulu. It's a great price with so much flavors! I love their tigers Blood with lychee, ice cream and condensed milk! I would give more but the people serving you are not very friendly. But hey, you're just there for some shaved ice so it's ok! Haha! They also have a little store in the back to get some li hing candies or other goodies! Super small location in a neighborhood. Parking is ok too it all depends how busy they are during the day but they do have street parking and parking to the right of their store if you're facing it. But definitely one of my go to spots! Must try!
Such a diamond in the rough away from the crazy traffic of Waikiki. If you want a non-touristy place that is super authentic, look no further. We arrived with a party of 7, each ordering something different. The shop owners were super nice and we didn't feel rushed. I tried the one with the custard in the middle just because it was something new to me. It was delicious! I love how the kids can order mini sizes since the regular ones are usually too big. We enjoyed our shaved ice on the benches right outside. Couldn't ask for a better afternoon break. read more
Waiola Shave Ice is a staple, a classic in Honolulu. Growing up, we would often visit Waiola when visiting town. Their shave ice is always so soft, and their prices are affordable. With plenty of flavors, sides, and toppings, you'll find this classic shave ice spot has more variety than meets the eye. The service is fast, and there's plenty of seating on the benches outside in the shade. Don't forget to check out the inside of the store for some delicious local snacks and candies! read more
Waiola shave ice, second trip here. It's my last day so I'm crushing my top 2, Waiola and Shimazu before I fly home to the 9th island. Waiola is by far one of the best shave ice establishments on Oahu. Their ice is shaved thin and their syrups are full of flavor. They are friendly and they make a quick desert for you to enjoy. Come give Waiola a try if you're in the mood for a delicious treat on Oahu read more
Small shaved ice spot tucked away in the outskirts of waikiki. We took a Lyft here to try their shaved ice since my husband said this spot is Obama's favorite in Honolulu. There was a short line when we arrived at around 2 pm but it moved very quickly. You order at the window and wait for your shaved ice. I got the azuki mochi bowl and swapped the sweet milk shaved ice with the coconut shaved ice. The shaved ice is not as smooth as Ululani's and the mochi were a bit hard. In my opinion, it's better to keep the mochi a white color than adding artificial coloring to it (I had some pink and purple mochi in my bowl). The condensed milk and the azuki beans were tied well together and I think it exemplified the coconut flavor. Unfortunately, my shaved ice melted super fast, it transformed into water within 5 minutes of my order which was a disappointment. Prices were very affordable though considering what they give you. If you are in the area, this is a good spot to check out but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat their shaved ice. read more
Best shave ice on the island!! The ice was so light and thin and melts in your mouth. The syrups were delicious and the condense milk brings everything together. The mochi was a little harder than I would've liked so I wouldn't add it next time but the ice was perfect! They were quick with their service and no line when we went. Cute shop inside as well! read more
WORTH IT. Support local business! Their Shane ice was soft and subtle flavors. I got haupia and illikoi with condense milk. Both flavors complement each other well. Parking depends on the time you go but if the line isn't long, you'll have parking. They got candy shops inside~ read more
We were on a shaved ice hunt every night we were here and agreed that this place was our least favorite. We compares the ice texture, how quickly it melted, flavors and mochi. They only give you 6 mochis here. Bigger than the usual spots and it didn't have the nice chewy texture but more on the raw not fully cooked side today. Lines were short. Service was quick. Friendly staff. Small parking lot but people are in n out quick. They have some picnic tables on the side. And a small store along side of it. read more
I think the environment just makes the shave ice taste better. On a hot humid day on the side of the street getting a bowl of shave ice is just the cherry on top. The rustic decoration and the old school looking menu. I like these kinda vintage vibe. Its a very good photo spot too like holding a bowl of shave ice standing in front of the worn down mascot. Its a vibe for sure. also its technically a grocery store that sells shave ice. I don't think you need to expect any customer service from them. Like they're not in need to please anyone lol. read more
A week late on this review. Wailoa is a family owned shave ice shop that looks like it's in the middle of the high country but you're located in a residential area in the city. Numerous choices with build your own and set options. I'm not good at building my own and since it's my first time here, I decided to go with an established favorite - Da Works in Mango which was very good and creamy with the ice cream. The shave ice and ice cream were perfectly matched in this combo. However, their version doesn't come with fresh mango but is inexpensive. It does come with mochi. read more
Visited Waiola Shaved Ice after hearing great things about it. When we arrived, there were only a few parties ahead of us, so the wait was pretty quick. They're a small storefront with outdoor tables for seating. We ordered Da Works, which came with POG, mango, and lychee flavored shaved ice, topped with ice cream, mochi balls, lychee jelly, and condensed milk. Delicious! read more
1 year ago
Went here late on a Monday. I got a pog, add ice cream and azuki beans. Unfortunately then ran out of mochi. Pog still tasted great with ice cream and azuki beans. Service was good and quick. They have benches outside so I cant really speak on ambiance since it's an order up outdoor window. Thank you Waiola! read more
3 months ago
This shop reminds me of small corner stores in Japan that cater to children and the young at heart. Lots of sweet and colorful choices in shave ice and ice cream to enjoy on a warm day. My orange creamsicle shave ice was more orange than cream but it was nice and snowy and I enjoyed watching what people ordered out of the tiny window. The vibe was mellow and everyone can use a neighborhood hangout like this. read more
Waiola is a must-do every time we're in Honolulu. Seriously, no one makes their ice this fluffy! This place is unassuming, and it's a little grungy outside. Nothing fancy here, just good shave ice sold out of a quaint corner market. We usually walk here, enjoy our shave ice, and then walk it off on our way to the local 7-Eleven to grab beach snacks. It's an easy drive too. There's usually street parking. Ordering is straightforward. Line up outside, follow the steps, and pay. Enjoy your ice outside or on the road. read more
4 months ago
Authentic and delicious! Perfect cool-off for the weather. We loved the mochi (definitely get this topping!) and the cute shop inside with nice sweets and snacks. Seems family run and very friendly. I loved the fruity flavors like lychee. They give hefty portions and this served 3 people! read more
Looking for a cool treat this summer and you don't wanna drive to the North Shore? Stop by Waiola Shave Ice. It's a finely cut shave ice and you can have it with or without ice cream. There is a whole bunch of flavors to choose from and extra toppings. My "go to" flavors is Melona and strawberry. Yesssa!!! If there's a line no worries because service is fast. Walk inside the store and you'll find other goodies and merch to purchase. There is a parking lot next to the building and plenty of street parking too. Remember get your own shave ice and no eat too fast. Brain Freeze!! read more
Waiola will always be nostalgic to me - it was the #1 shave ice of my childhood! My uncle would take me and my siblings to Waiola as a treat sometimes, and I look back on that with such fondness. Trying to be as objective as possible though, I do think Waiola shave ice is great. The texture of the ice is so fine and soft, the syrup always reaches the bottom of the cup/bowl, and they have a ton of syrup and topping options. Their prices are still reasonable in my opinion - especially when some places can get as expensive as $10+ Some syrups are not as good as others, to be honest - I have sometimes been a liiitle bit let down when trying some of them. Occasionally, a syrup is less flavorful than I hope for, or a little artificial tasting. But there are so many great ones - some of my favorites are lilikoi, li hing mango, haupia, POG, and lychee. Any of these flavors plus condensed milk or vanilla ice cream?? so ono I love that they've kept their old signage with the taped-over parts. Sometimes when these old classic places need to pivot or change things up to keep up with the current market or audience, they lose something vital. I don't feel that's happened to Waiola, thankfully :-) read more
It never gets old, etc. going to the neighborhood for shaved ice! The prices are reasonable and portions more than fair. The team is friendly and efficient. The store looks like it hasn't changed a bit for decades. And that's part of the charm! My only recommendation: Allow us to pick up to 3 flavors! read more
10 months ago
After looking up reviews all across town for shaved ice, we landed on Waiola. It was satisfactory - they had tons of flavor options and the ice was smooth. The lady was patient with us as we decided our flavors, and it was pretty affordable (after all, it's ice and syrup). What I did appreciate was that some of the syrups were clearly fresh. For example, I got the haupia (coconut cream based) and it was definitely the real thing. I also got the lychee flavor, and it didn't feel like pure syrup. Overall, would recommend! read more
I love Waiola's and this is a must-visit every time I come to Oahu. Like others have said it is like a hidden gem in the middle of a neighborhood that has excellent flavors & toppings, finely shaved ice and decent prices. I tend to have my favorite tropical flavors and I especially like how they have an Obama special. My go-to's are ice cream on the bottom and azuki beans or popping boba on top. They have always been super quick and it's fun to watch them make it through the window, n to mention they also have a store with lots of cute Waiola stuff. Lastly, Enjoy your shave ice outside at one of the seating areas and I guarantee you will want to come back! read more
Ahh Waiola Shave ice, our go to spot after a day of surfing in the 70's. Today although the original owners is not here anymore, the new owners are still putting out fluffy shaved ice. with the same flavors as well as new ones. The shop is neat and clean unlike how I remembered it. lol the new owners have taken great care of this place. They have a lot of Waiola merchandise for sale like tote bags, T-shirts, baseball caps, bucket hats, and stickers. They also have Chinese seeds available like Lihing Mui, lemon peel, and a variety of others. read more
10 months ago
Highly recommend this place! Was told to visit here for the best shaved ice in Oahu and was not disappointed at all! The ice was so fluffy and there were so many options. We got the lychee, coconut, and passionfruit with red bean and ice cream and it was SPOT on! Can say that it was definitely one of the best if not THE BEST I've had in Hawaii. Ordered through a window and got the order in less than 2 minutes. Love the speed and staff was friendly. Enjoyed seeing the locals come here with their families to have it is just another evidence of its greatness. read more
2 months ago
Definitely the OG location and feels like a hole in the wall straight out of the neighborhood but really digging the additional outside seating they've got and the parking lot. What they lack in ambiance the make up for in the soft ice that just melts on your tongue and feels like you're eating cloud ice!!! This is why we buy shaved ice not made at home, because of the superior texture that you cannot replicate at home. The hours are kind of limited if you're a late owl so make sure to go early before 5, they ran out of mochi balls everytime we went around 5:15/5:30 so my five stars is more like a 4.5, but hey, still absolutely amazing!!! They also have a penny press which is a favorite of my kids so bring your Pennie's!! I like that you can mix or match your own flavors and combinations or go with their suggested (and I'd say superior) recommended blending options. Still affordable and Keiki and small options if you can't muster the strength for a big bowl but I'm quite positive you can cuz it's that insanely light and delicious. My favorites were the azuki red bean and coconut jelly. I do think the staff could be a little more friendly or interactive, I'm surprised this place isn't more popular given how good their ice is but they didn't like that I asked for a discount if my combo didn't come with the mochi balls they ran out of and I know because I speak their native mandarin and I was annoyed a bit to hear them converse about it, luckily for them I came back with my entire family of 12 because it's THAT good. I came for the ice! It's niceeeee read more
8 months ago
Waiola Shave Ice is an absolute 5-star experience and easily one of the best shave ice spots I've ever been to. When we arrived, there was a line of about 10 people, and I immediately got worried because at most shave ice places, that kind of line can take forever. But I was so pleasantly surprised--the line moved fast. The team was nonstop, popping out shave ice after shave ice with impressive efficiency. They also have a small shop attached selling candies and souvenirs, and the whole space felt welcoming and homey, which made the wait even more enjoyable. When it was our turn, we ordered the #1 Azuki Bowl. Unfortunately, they had run out of mochi, which was a bit disappointing, but since we love red beans, we were still really excited. And wow--for $7, this was such an amazing deal. The shave ice itself was incredibly fluffy and soft, which is something I really look for and always compare across places. The ice literally melts in your mouth. There was also a generous amount of condensed milk and red beans, so every bite had the perfect balance. Nothing was overly sweet--just perfectly done. It was so good that after finishing, we immediately got back in line for another one. Knowing how quickly the line moved, we weren't worried at all. This time, we got the #2 Ice Cream Bowl, again for just $7, which is such great value since it comes with ice cream at the bottom. We chose the Hawaii 5-0 Rainbow (lychee, passion fruit, and cotton candy). The lychee and passion fruit were absolutely delicious--bright, fruity, and very prominent without being too sweet. The cotton candy wasn't my personal favorite since I tend to prefer fruit flavors, but it wasn't bad at all, and I'd recommend it if you like that flavor profile. The vanilla ice cream on the bottom was also delicious--slightly icier rather than super creamy, but it complemented the shave ice perfectly. Since our first visit, we've already gone back again and ordered the ice cream bowl with the Obama Rainbow (passion fruit, lemon lime, and cherry). Once again, everything was excellent. Between the price, the fast and friendly service, and the top-tier quality of the shave ice, Waiola is a place I will happily come back to again and again. If you're in Oahu, this is an absolute must-stop. read more
11 months ago
This has been a classic spot for years and is still pretty good! Not my favorite but a solid choice. The ice is soft with only a few hard chunks. They put ample syrup so you definitely have no dry spots but it was a bit too much for my preference. The strawberry milk ice was a bit artificial tasting (not sure if it was the syrup or the strawberry topping). Lots of cute merchandise in the store and the shave ice statues outside make for a great photo-op! read more
6 months ago
Best shave ice I've had! The ice is super soft and fluffy, and the flavors are refreshing and not too sweet. Staff is friendly and service is quick. Definitely coming back. All flavors interesting. The line was long but people are super chill read more
1 year ago
Tasty syrups that's taste like the fruit it's supposed to be. Walk up window service and street parking. Cute gift shop attached and take away ice cakes and snacks read more
Not really sure why this is a famous and iconic shaved ice place. We were so disappointed, sadly. Tasted so artificial and it melted way too quickly. Service was alright. Don't get confused with where to pay (outside, not inside). Plenty of street parking. Only 2 benches for seating. read more
1 year ago
This was my family and I's first stop after landing on Oahu. Shaved ice on the islands never fails to amaze my tastebuds and will always be a refreshing, delightful treat. We got Da Works and a combination of strawberries and creme and lilikoi with vanilla ice cream. I would always recommend getting a scoop of ice cream with any shaved ice on the island, as it really elevates the fruity ice flavors. The ice cream here was rich and the flavors were not artificial at all! The service was also quick and easy, and family owned. Definitely my top 2 shaved ice locations on Oahu! read more
Friend brought me here - as he had to come here almost every day for shave ice. Mango flavor - my type of flavor with a puree and and some mango chunks menu option quite huge order comes out fast. Know before you get to front to order Good pricing Consistent fine ice read more
More info about Waiola Shave Ice
2135 Waiola St
Honolulu, HI 96826
Mo'ili'ili
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(808) 949-2269
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http://waiolashaveice.co
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Ask the Community - Waiola Shave Ice
Do they have any sugar free things?
They have sugar free syrup for their shave ice.
Are the syrups made of actual fruit?
I don't believe so. The syrups don't taste like the fruits they are supposed to resemble.
What are the prices for sizes?
Keiki $6 (Kid's size) and Small $6.75. They currently aren't serving other sizes due to low supply of ice.
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Waiola Shave Ice - icecream - Updated September 2026
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