Don’t call it shaved ice.
Shave ice is one of our favorite parts about Hawaii. The treat is most certainly not a snow cone. Shave ice is made as it sounds, by shaving large ice blocks to create a fluffy, snow-like texture. Snow cones, on the other hand, are made by crushing ice, resulting in a coarser texture that does not absorb syrups in the same way.
Shave ice was imported to the Hawaiian islands by Japanese immigrants who migrated to the islands to work on the sugar plantations in the early 1900s. The Japanese shaved ice was embedded into Hawaiian culture and soon became shave ice.
There are no shortage of shops and food trucks that sell shave ice on Kauai. But there is a significant difference in the quality and flavor. Here are our favorite spots to get this treat.
#1: The Fresh Shave
Location: Koloa Town (south shore)
The Fresh Shave is our top pick for best shave ice on the island. They use all natural syrups using local ingredients and top their shave ice with fresh fruit. The menu differs from other places on the island in that they don’t offer “build your own” options. Instead, you have to select from their menu of delicious combos, such as pineapple and coconut, oranges and cream, berries and acai, or strawberry, banana and cream, to name a few. One other note: they don’t offer ice cream with their shave ice. We think the shave ice, flavors, and natural syrups make this place more than worthwhile.
Be warned, though. The word is out on the Fresh Shave and the lines can get pretty crazy in the mid afternoon.
#2: Wishing Well
Location: Hanalei Town (north shore)
Wishing Well is located on the edge of Hanalei and is a very close second for our top shave ice on the island. Like the Fresh Shave, Wishing Well offers organic syrups made from local ingredients, and you can truly taste the difference. They offer build your own options and have ice cream available. They also have traditional syrups, if you prefer those flavors. The lines here can also get pretty long, especially in the mid- to late-afternoon. It’s well worth it, especially after a day at Hanalei Beach. Our favorite flavors: Hanalei Sweetie or the Caffeine Monkey.
#3: Hee Fat General Store
Location: Kapa’a Town (east shore)
Hee Fat has long been one of our favorite spots for shave ice on the island. They offer more traditional options, with traditional syrups, build-your-own, and ice cream. The menu has some of our favorite flavor combos and they know how to properly shave their ice. Try the Hawaiian Sunrise! (Or a traditional POG.)
Runner Up: JoJo’s in Waimea
Quick tip: After visiting Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Parks, be sure to stop by JoJo’s original location in Waimea for some refreshment after a day of hiking and exploring. While JoJo’s is not as good, in our opinion, as The Fresh Shave, Hee Fat, or Wishing Well, it’s a perfectly good alternative that’s also easy to access from the highway just after you turn out of the canyon. For that reason, it makes our list for runner up. JoJo’s is traditional shave ice, with traditional syrups, ice cream, and snow cap options. Be warned! They make them huge! Even the small is big – I’ve had trouble finishing myself in part because my mouth simply gets too cold!
We hope you enjoy this Hawaiian treat as much as we do. Let us know in the comments what your favorite spots and flavors are as we’re always looking for new places to try.
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