The Story Behind Our Mouth-watering Shave Ice

The natural beauty of Hawaii, together with its tropical weather, and the locals’ relaxed lifestyle and friendliness, attract incredible numbers of visitors from all over the world. There is something about Hawaii that appeals to every kind of traveler. Many who visit this paradise in some way become part of its ohana, a word that means family in the Hawaiian culture.

Besides mesmerizing landscapes and relaxing beaches, Hawaii welcomes people with many unforgettable adventures, great local shops, and tasty local dishes. One of the best things to try, on a warm summer day, is mouth-watering shave ice, a tasty treat that promises to give you a refreshing feeling and bring joy to your taste buds.

The natural beauty of Hawaii, together with its tropical weather, and the locals’ relaxed lifestyle and friendliness, attract incredible numbers of visitors from all over the world. There is something about Hawaii that appeals to every kind of traveler. Many who visit this paradise in some way become part of its ohana, a word that means family in the Hawaiian culture.

Besides mesmerizing landscapes and relaxing beaches, Hawaii welcomes people with many unforgettable adventures, great local shops, and tasty local dishes. One of the best things to try, on a warm summer day, is mouth-watering shave ice, a tasty treat that promises to give you a refreshing feeling and bring joy to your taste buds.

The beginnings of shave ice in Hawaii

There are many cultures who have their own kind of flavored ice, but the one in Hawaii is different. Not only can you indulge while admiring breathtaking landscapes, but the shave ice in Hawaii has a unique history and many bold flavors to choose from.

The process of shaving the ice made an appearance in the 19th century, thanks to the Japanese plantation workers who immigrated to the islands. Known as kakigori in Japan, the delicacy dates back nearly 1,000 years to the Heian Period. According to some reports, in the beginning, the Japanese used antique swords to shave the ice properly.

While we aren’t completely certain about this info, we do know that, at first, shave ice was only sold on Sundays, the only free day of the week that plantation workers had. Within no time shave ice became so popular in Hawaii, that by the 1920s, many shops began selling it all over the islands.

How is the frosty goodness made?

Shave ice is made literally by shaving small bits of ice from a large block. The key is making sure that the ice is shaved so flakey and fine, that it optimally absorbs the flavors of the syrups. A good shave ice will feel like it softly melts in your mouth with each bite, creating a desire to have more, until before you know it, it’s all gone.

Where to have the best shave ice in Hawaii

Since shave ice is a popular treat in the islands, everybody has a favorite vendor. Even former president, Barack Obama was seen many times indulging in a bit of shave ice while visiting Oahu. His go to spot is Island Snow, and it’s one of the heavily frequented spots on the east side of Oahu.

Despite Obama’s preferences, the locals' pick seems to be the award-winning Waiola Shave Ice. It has three charming locations on the island of Oahu, and they are always filled with patrons looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. Along with Waiola’s, another popular spot is Matsumoto’s Shave Ice in Haleiwa. Established in the 1950’s Matsumoto’s is a popular choice for those visiting the North Shore, it’s always busy and regularly has lines that stretch out the door.

If you are not planning to visit our beautiful island soon, but you still want to feel close to its beautiful culture and laid back atmosphere, check out our handmade slippers. They promise to carry you in comfort and style, as well as bring lots of compliments from your friends.