KTA Super Stores - Puainako

KTA is one of the first places I hit up for omiyage for family and friends back in Honolulu. Get snacks and treats you won’t find on Oahu … including Two Ladies Kitchen mochi and manju!!! That’s right, if you can’t make it there or don’t want to stand in line, call your closest KTA to check they have some in stock. It’s a variety of pre-made mochi and manju so you won’t get your pick (and I don’t think there were any fruit ones) but hey, at least you got some! This location is larger than the one in downtown Hilo, and their bakery had some fantastic looking doughnuts. It’s a large store with a large parking lot, so if you have the time during your Hilo trip, stop by here!

Always clean and always friendly and always the best available! Beautiful produce. Sushi quality fish. Wonderful bakery and deli selections . Plus foods prepped for take away including sushi rolls🙂

We like KTA for their unique Asian foods and snacks, their pastries, and fresh local fruits and vegetables. Their seasoned meats are also really good. Their prices on most items however are usually higher than other supermarket in town. Because of that we go elsewhere to do regular shopping.

Amazing selection of everything you can name. Meat quality is great. I've had the best green onion ever. The soba selection is more than I can find in Los Angeles. Some of the snacks are not the best, but the selection is crazy big. I can easily spend 2 hrs shopping here.

The plate lunches here are great! I was really hungry and stopped here to pick up some items. This was the first time I tried thier deli. They had a bunch of good food to choose from. Ribs, Pork adobo, Pork and Peas, meatloaf, turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and rice. I could have ordered a whole Thanksgiving meal here I was very impressed. The quality of the food, temperature, and taste were all very on par with what I would find exceptional. Great food and a great price too alot of places charging an arm and leg for a plate lunch nowadays and they werent stingy with the helpings. The staff was very helpful and quick even with a line. The mac salad could use a bit of seasoning and flavor not the best I've had, I prefer Blane's style mac salad.

Love this grocery store. We encountered a lot of friendly workers and customers. They had lots of inventory and lots of local foods and favorites. Very busy parking lot, but it’s free and you normally can find someone leaving. And it’s easy to locate and it’s right off one of the main roads heading into Hilo.

My husband purchased poke here on June 21, which he said tasted strange and he only ate about half of. His stomach started hurting a couple of hours later. The next morning he had severe nausea, diarrhea, and a fever (common with food poisoning). Naturally this was the day we were heading home from our vacation. He had to endure 3 flights and over 18 hours of travel with diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and fever. These symptoms continued for days. He went to Urgent Care on June 26, and the doctor said they will need to analyze a stool sample in 3 more days if his symptoms don't improve. We would give this KTA store zero stars if possible. The food can't be trusted and he has felt miserable, missed work, etc.

I love going early in the morning, they gave a bunch of fresh Bentos and bakery items at reasonable prices. They also have a lot of local items you can't really find at any other store like luau leaf and fern shoots. I only dislike how busy it can get later in the day.

KTA is one of the first places I hit up for omiyage for family and friends back in Honolulu. Get snacks and treats you won't find on Oahu ... including Two Ladies Kitchen mochi and manju!!! That's right, if you can't make it there or don't want to stand in line, call your closest KTA to check they have some in stock. It's a variety of pre-made mochi and manju so you won't get your pick (and I don't think there were any fruit ones) but hey, at least you got some! This location is larger than the one in downtown Hilo, and their bakery had some fantastic looking doughnuts. It's a large store with a large parking lot, so if you have the time during your Hilo trip, stop by here!

By far my all time FAVORITE Supermarket on da Big Island! KTA Super Store - Puainako location is my favorite store out of all the KTA locations on the Big Island. KTA Super Store is a juggernaut of a store, and I believe it's sorta a "one stop" kinda joint where you can almost get whatever you need! Anytime I'm working in Hilo, garans Bruddah Fran is gonna hit up da KTA on Puainako. When checkin' out da store, I usually creep up on the Bento's & Musubi's. Of course, one can't forget to take a quick peek at the bakery dept., as it appears that KTA makes their bakery items "fresh" & on the spot! They also have a great hot foods deli dept. if you're hankering for an ono plate lunch! If you're down with poke, they have that too!!! Locally owned & operated, shop & support local whenever you can, that way we can keep the local money in local hands!

Let start by highlighting my favorite department in this beautiful, spacious store in Hilo. The Bakery at KTA Super Stores Puainako. No other supermarket bakery on the Big Island of Hawai'i compares to the quality, care and the variety offered as this bakery does in such an outstanding fashion. That's how I feel, honestly. I love their bakery. Everything about it, everything that's offered, all that I've bought and tasted. This one is worthy of a visit. Trust me. When the store doors get unlocked every day at 5:30am, that's the best time to go for breakfast pastries, all freshly baked. The display case is full with eye-catching goodies, so many options. It's always a time consuming decision for me. Pondering, deciding; "yes that one", "no, I want that one, "I should take two of those", "which one should I take". Always, yup. Into the morning and early afternoon, the bakery display case stays full, giving me a chance to venture down later in the day or after work for a KTA Bakery treat(s). I won't name all of the items, but here are some of my favorites. Bear Claw, Apple Fritter, Mochi Donuts, Chocolate Long John, Blueberry Cream Cheese Squares, Doissant, Cream Snail, Baked Char Sui Manapua. Hawaiian-style Chantilly Cake, found here in individual cupcake form, whole round cake and, sheet cakes for gatherings. OMG. This syle of chantilly cake is much different from the traditional way with vanilla cake layered with white chantilly cream and fresh berries. Pretty much found only in Hawai'i, this unique chantilly cake style resonates quite largely with the locals. With the moist chocolate sponge cake and the rich, decadent gold-colored buttery chantilly frosting, finished with a sprinkle of Hawaiian macadamia nuts. The bakery at KTA Puainako shines with this item. Always a smile for me, as I easily recognize any KTA cake. Next to the bakery is the always delicious Deli. Korean Fried Chicken "Wiki Packs" or sold by the pound. FYI, order by the pound, you get more for the price. The deli team reminded me multiple times to order this way. Daily specials along with rotating items and, a handful of Deli staples are found after 11am. Head down quickly after work or you might just miss the Deli being open or with minimal options to choose from. Catering options also available, the maki sushi is always a smart choice. They sell it in individual packs too. One of the best Asian/Ethnic aisles anywhere I feel, is found at this store, this location. This is where I buy most of my items. Miso, oyster sauce, ponzu, mandoo sauce, tonkatsu sauce, furikake, panko, fukujinzuke, bamboo shoots, somen noodles, nori and more. Great selection, good prices, something is always on sale. Fresh produce, displayed in an inviting area, always stocked and organized. Other than the Hilo Farmer's Market and Marcy's Variety Store, this is where I buy almost everything else for produce. Fresh anthiriums are always a good find for a vase to honor family members respectively at home. Chilled boiled peanuts, kim chee edamame, assorted poke, lomi lomi salmon plus more are all found at the awesome Seafood Department. And next door, is the Meat Department with marinated Teriyaki or Korean-style pork, beef, chicken and shortribs. Perfect for grilling, sold by the pound. This store also supports local Big Island businesses by carrying their products. Amano tempura, Mrs. Lee's lau lau, Kohala kim chee, Kelly Boy's cookies, Donna Cookies, Big Island Delights, Nori's, Mt View stone cookies, Liko Lehua butter and more. One of the reasons why KTA stands out over the other supermarkets. The warm wood tones, the plantation style lighting fixtures which add a nostalgic touch to the shopping ambiance, the stocked shelves + choice selections and, the KTA team who are always there to embrace me in a way that makes me feel valued as a shopper everytime. Some of the key reasons why I frequent this store at least once/week. Not to mention the great deals printed on ads, placed in our local paper as inserts, something other companies have stopped all together. Seven stores proudly only on the Big Island of Hawai'i, still owned and managed locally by the founder's family, there is no national brand presence here at KTA Puainako. And it shows in everything this store and this local company does. From their exclusive Mountain Apple Brand products, their commitment to community involvement including corporate sponsorship to key island events and, taking care of people like me every day I'm on this amazing island. 108 years later after founders Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi started a modest business, their dream has turned into a huge success. All made possible between the Taniguchi family and the loyal, strong and commited relationship KTA Stores has gained over the years with the Big Island community by serving people like me since I was a kid. Yes, I honestly agree with their slogan where, "You're Someone Special Every Day At KTA". So true.

Stopped by to pick up lunch but ended up buying other items... a cheesecake, Asian pear, coffee pods and bread. What a great place for a one stop shop! You can get ready made bentos or lunch, a delish dessert, fresh poke, fruits and everything else under the sun. Prices are a bit higher than Honolulu but what can you do? Cashiers always friendly and makes us smile!

Hilo wouldn't be the same without KTA. Timeless memories of the same space with all the local staples for every palate. Mahalo to all the hands that make it happen on the daily!

I got KTA breakfast and absolutely loved it. The price for the portion size was perfect and something I would get again. The bacon eggs and fried rice were delicious. If you wanna grab a quick breakfast head to KTA!

If you want to wait in line for 1/2 hour. This is great. Self checkout all closed and no staff at registers. Why shop local when it sucks.

Fantastic huge store with groceries and much more! Got a bunch of baked goods. Of course it's expensive - it's the Big Island! Happy to be able to shop here for our family visit.

Customer service was PHENOMENAL! Very busy packed grocery store with narrow aisles and WAY TOO MUCH PREPACKAGED FRUIT from other countries in a state with a plethora or gorgeous fresh fruit. I was a tourist who sought locally sourced fresh fruit prepared & ready to eat while driving around the island and was super disappointed. Very, very sad.

hands down best poke! and a hidden gem to get your big island omiyage! reminds me of the way grocery stores on Oahu used to treat their customers.

One of the best grocery store in Hilo. They have almost every variety of food here so expansive, both premade and non premade food. I fell in love with the Haupia cake they have, its freaking delicious and light. This will be my forever go to store while in Hilo from now on lol. Service at the bakery was great. It can get a bit packed but such a great grocery store if you're looking for some good local food.

This place is good since I moved here in the Big Island I love shopping here ... until I encounter this lady name Shell at the self check out one day She is very rude no consideration... I am doing her supposed to be job since I'm ringing my own groceries but this person have no consideration and very mean.. Very rude!!!

My fav KTA on Hawaii Island. If you are visiting, the best omiyage can be found here. If you need pupus along with your drinks, stop here and stock up. Other supermarkets do not reflect the local culture and energy as this particular KTA does. BTW - do not go to other KTAs on the island and expect the same expansive items - you will set yourself up for disappointment. my fav dessert here, and to take home to Honolulu is the Date Nut Bars. yum.

While I know it's not their fault that the peanut bruddah cookies sold out already...im still sad! I was thoroughly impressed with the bakery selections and deli. Can't wait to come back for lunch tomorrow! The salads looked fantastic!

I absolutely love KTA Super Stores on Puainako Street in Hilo! Every time I'm on the Big Island, this is my go-to spot for an amazing selection of local treats and items that I can't find in other grocery stores. This local Hawaiian supermarket offers an impressive selection that goes far beyond the average grocery shopping experience. There is a well stocked bakery, deli and hot food section, poke bar and seafood counter, and liquor section. My favorite aisle has local Big Island items like baked goodies from Kelly Boy's, Punalu'u Bake Shop, and Mt. View Bakery. I also always buy a frozen Big Island Candies Apple Pie to bring home to bake... so delicious! This store has its roots dating back to 1916 when it began as a humble family-run grocery and dry goods store. Fast forward to today, and it has flourished into a thriving chain of seven stores across Hawaii island. The store's enduring tagline, "you're someone special," is really true as the staff are always friendly and ready to help, making each visit a pleasant experience One of the standout features is their very own line of products, the Mountain Apple Brand. This brand is not just about deliciousness; it's a celebration of Hawaii's local businesses and produce. From delectable meats and refreshing juices to farm-fresh eggs and irresistible desserts, the Mountain Apple Brand proudly promotes goods grown, manufactured, or processed right here in Hawaii. KTA is a testament to both its rich history and its commitment to supporting the local community. It's a haven for foodies, a treasure trove for those seeking unique Hawaiian flavors, and an embodiment of the warmth and hospitality that the island is known for. Without a doubt, KTA is a place where every shopper truly feels special!

Visited twice during our 3 day visit to the Big Island. Couldn't find any Kogen products so bought other brands takuan, sanbaizuke, and other pickled vegetables. Bought the Hawaiian Chip taro chips from Honolulu, and a few other Easter candy.

We were here everyday getting the Korean poke! We also picked up our daily needs for our trips out on the island. Get place to shop and get fresh food! The fish is incredible fresh and melts in your mouth! If you're up for sweets, the blueberry cheesecake is perfect! So delicious!

My family and I have been shopping at KTA Puainako for over 40 years. Its almost always been good, until last week. I went to check out, and the cashier, Lani, did not greet me, or say one word to me, not even thank you. She seemed deeply focused on ignoring me and carrying on with the young woman bagging groceries, who also attempted zero interaction with me. Kind of a repulsive experience. It must difficult to hire and train decent human beings.....

It's a grocery store that has what you need. It's a must-stop if you need food for home or food on the go.

This is what KTA sells as Long John's at $2.06 each. Where is the custard filling? What a rip off!

Just a couple miles from the airport so it's convenient if you want to stop here before heading home or to your vacation rental (like we did) to load up on supplies. They have EVERYTHING! and a good selection of it too! All Da Kine Tings! Bento boxes, lots of poke options, bakery sweets galore, fresh fish, meats, produce, breads, snacks, slippahs, rubbah boots.... I even found my favoritest bread of all time there. It's often out of stock wherever I look, and they had 1 left. Whew! What really impressed me other than the staff re-stocking the To-Go stuff at 5pm was the wine selection! They had a wine here that I couldn't find at home in LV. What?! How does KTA in Hilo get this wine? So, naturally I bought a couple bottles. Totally going to make this my #1 stop for when I fly into Hilo.

Always a must stop when I visit home. Love their mountain apple branded products and their mochi by Aunty Gladys Harada. Love their selection of everything!

Since Suisan was closed, we headed over to KTA to check out their selection of poke. I remembered that we had a really good experience in Maui with Foodland and I was hoping for the same results. Unfortunately not as good. In the very back of the store, they sell poke by the pound. The fresh poke was around $24 a pound. We got shoyu ahi and spicy Korean ahi poke. You need to be careful because right next to it was the previously frozen but thawed fish poke that is way cheaper. Don't ever eat that stuff. Also you have to get the rice from the deli which was difficult when you have to stand in 2 lines. Also we need to forage for the seaweed salad which was in another place. I felt like I was in an episode of supermarket sweep. Pro tips: - Ask for the fresh poke, not previously frozen - Be careful in the parking lot- there are some crazy drivers there - Forks are at the cashier when you pay but you need to ask. Also ask for napkins. I don't think I'd eat poke again at KTA. It didn't taste as fresh as Suisan.

I really have no issues with the store but last year my wife had a traumatic experience. Placed her order at the bakery then stood back to the side with her cart waiting for her order. Then she was confronted by an irate local woman and was verbally assaulted. My wife is a haole woman who has serious medical issues and was mentally scarred by this incident. She literally hates the Puainako store but loves the downtown location. People there make her feel comfortable and welcome.

Anyone who visits Hawaii Island should skip the National chain supermarkets and shop at the locally owned KTA Stores. This location has the largest pharmacy (and medical device) section I've seen on island (I'm a nurse, I notice these things.) This location also has a HUGE bakery, deli and hot food section AND poke bar!

$17/lb Poke, can mix n match. Heaven sent. I came here on recommendation of a local who saidnto skip the poke eateries and do KTA . Thx!

The person at the register was rude. It maybe island culture but "Please and Thank you" or "Sir and mam" go a long way. I think some view tourist negatively but how must do tourists spend? Do better!!!

So disgusting to find my potato after baking it for an hour seriously you sell this kind of produce

Always great service. Good prices. Their pharmacies are the best and have the speediest service. I drove a medical taxi for many years and familiar with all the pharmacies. KTA is Best. I love that they are a long time sponsor of Giants baseball on KPUA

Good selection of poke. The pastries at the bakery were pretty good. Good place to pick up drinks and snacks to take back to the hotel. The service was friendly maybe too friendly this keep the lines backed up. Noticed the cashiers spent alot of time talking to the customers. Stay safe.

When visiting Hilo, we always come here to buy poke, food and drinks and get the Kelly Boy Peanut Butter cookies. The cookies sell out fast so we get up early to get some to bring home (Oahu). They're very friendly and helpful.

KTA has a great selection of poke dishes, meats, pastry and deli selections. Only a hand pick of cashiers are pleasant. The rest are not. They are the ones that don't acknowledge the customers. No smiles, they just scan the items. Attitude is everything. Bad attitudes create lasting impressions of that cashier. A few of the stock clerks are oblivious to what is around them. These are the ones who leave their flat wagons in the aisles that sometimes you cannot get around. This can create possible accidents. The store itself is clean and well stocked. The bathrooms need to be continuously cleaned. The women's bathroom floor is always wet inviting an accident to happen. The first stall is always leaking. The men's bathroom just constantly smells.

KTA is the place to go for best variety of groceries plus the fresh food is awesome. They are also an organization that gives back a ton to the community so support local and stop going to Safeway!

Great store. Selection of Hawaiian grown produce is limited but good. Has organic food from the mainland that is less expensive.

This is the local go to General store on the island. From what the tattoo artist had told me, also the best Poke in town. I came here for just that, and some ube ice cream because I had some cravings. The poke was fresh and super tasty.

My wife and I were visiting the Big Island to visit family so use we stayed in Kona first then drove to Hilo. When I visit the big island I like to buy some ahi sakuraboshi and dried opelu for omiyage but I could not find it in Kona, even at KTA. But, when we got to Hilo my son took me to KTA at Puainako to shop. We just came from Suisan Fish Market and they didn't have much left to sell including any ahi sakuraboshi or dried opelu. The KTA at Puainako is huge, first time here and I was impressed. When I got to the fish department the poke looked fresh and delicious but you had to wait in a short line. I looked at a different reefer and found my beloved dried opelu and sakuraboshi! No kidding though, if you are from Hawaii and are visiting Hilo you will like this market because kit is suited for locals and they seem to have everything. It is my favorite non Oahu market.

A great local supermarket chain on the Big Island of Hawaii, KTA Super Stores Puainako is located off Hwy 2000 and the Hawaii Belt Road just a couple miles south of the Hilo Airport and Downtown Hilo. It has all your groceries and it reminds me of Don Quijote on Oahu Island.

Very unprofessional business. Got to store at 952 to grab a few items before they closed. Got out of my car and as I walked to the entrance I noticed that an associate turned off the automatic entry. I asked another employee who was locking up shopping carts if I could they were open and he said yes until 10. I went into the store and got this weird look from 3 employees who told me they were closed. And told me that I could come back in the morning. This is despite having another shopper in the store. This is very unprofessional. If your hours are until 10 you should be open until 10 until not leaving the store at 10. Very disappointed in the way that the employees handled the situation.

Review for AAPI / AANHPI month: "Where you're someone special everyday" Est. 1916. Currently run by a Japanese family descended from the original owners who began it all by peddling AND literally pedaling goods door to door -on bicycle! Apparently the OGs merely wanted to assist family and friends with some grocery kindness. Eventually they opened a lil shop (lovely origin story) and 106 years later they're the number one and mostly only Asian food store on island. However, they've expanded beyond their Asian (mainly Japanese) audience to become a full fledged neighborhood grocery store. Not by leaps and bounds but by comparison this location is cleanest and better stocked, ergo if you think you'll find the same at their downtown location, you won't. A small store in a small town that's become a small business chain so by Asian "section" they mean one semi-truck length in size aisle. Maybe it's two aisles. At least you can find frozen "fresh" noodles but it's on the opposite end in the frozen section. Gyozas also that way and Ajinomoto everything. Lots of local (Hawai'i) Japanese brands like Oshiro tofu products (operated in Hilo). Noh brand too. Gochujang? Yes. Shirakiku, S&B, Lee Kum Kee, House of Foods, many assortments of dry ramen, Shin Korean ramen, Samyang fire noodles. Pancit noodles: only Super Q brand, maybe one other... They tout primarily local produce, with a few seasonal items from Japan. Enoki mushrooms might be found :). Your proven local watercress and warabi stop, and consistent with at least one option of locally made pickled turnips. Do take a stroll by the seafood counter. Fresh made miso tako, poke bowls, Korean marinated kalbi, pork & chicken are always winners. Also recommend tofu salad and aburage soba salad by the prepared hot and cold foods. Mochi bentos and sake 100 percent recommend. On the other hand the bakery is just okay, not as good as that mainland store down the way :-/ ... however the butter donuts are huge and amazing.

staff is friendly, store is somewhat clean, food is good, variety of options, price is somewhat reasonable, small plaza parking.

This is such a great grocery store! They had all sorts of Hawaiian foods and goods that were fun to browse through. They had fresh Hawaiian chile pepper which I would have been tempted to get if we weren't island hopping and going from hotel to hotel. If you want to make your own poke they have all your basic ingredients. If you want to just eat poke they have that too in prepared amounts at the counter and in containers. The fresh fish here looked very fresh in general. Check out was fast and friendly.

I do really enjoy this store after living in Hawaii for almost a year. The prices I can say are very high on most things. We typically shop here for the meat selection. Most times when we stop is for the sushi and hot plate meals. You can't go wrong with them when your on a time crunch and want something good. The bakery has made a few of our cakes and they are great! Over all I feel like the store needs some love or a little updating. We also bought our Christmas tree this year from them scared to do so but the tree lasted well into the week after New Years the price was high but when you think about all the cost to get them here it makes sense.

I love going into the KTA stores when I'm on Hawaii island.the people working there are super friendly and very helpful. They have things you just can't find in other stores! And their bakery? OMG ! So amazing!

Coming from Arizona where food city and others add possibilities of local flavors (especially bakery and deli) this place is refreshing. Huge store, great variety in all departments, helpful staff and my simple pick of a ube donut for a buck and change made this a traveling by win. The ube donut was dark like the best meat of a chicken or a darker the meat conversation. The sweetness was on the outside and when bitten into there was a bit of draw to the dough. That was a probably a mix of actual ingredients used and a touch of age. Only judge that like if you like American cheese and two buck chuck. Honestly a good spot to get everything from staples to unique items at this store. The produce section looked solid too but I was already stocked there. They also had a local food vendor like a truck with a teenager and folding chairs, but appreciate the diversity of offers.

The smackery at Kta at Puainako makes the best popcorn and mochi crunch Always purchase when I'm in Hilo

It's usually a good idea to visit a local supermarket when traveling. You can get a good idea of the local area and tastes and also save some money compared to the hotels. KTA Super Stores is a local chain in Hawaii with a full service market near the resort area in Hilo. Parking is generous with good access. The store is a little rough around the edges and fairly claustrophobic, but they pack a lot of stuff inside. You can get fresh produce and meats with lots of local product. There is a huge selection of grocery items to stock up the condo or just snack on while driving. I found a lot of nuts and local chips and amazing poke at a great bargain. Visiting near Thanksgiving, the front was already stocked with Christmas trees for a fun experience. KTA is popular with the locals for good reason and makes a great stop on your trip.

This KTA was bigger than the downtown one. A lot of stuff to choose from. We got there a little late so the food prep was closed. At least we could grab a few bakery and mochi goods. The prices were ok to choose from. I saw my guava jam there.

My go to place when visiting family in Hilo. I haven't visited since pre-Covid and the store has only gotten better. Great selection and prices from the bakery to the produce. Definitely a store that packs a lot of punch! Couldn't get enough of the spicy ahi poke and the shrimp kim chee poke as they both were seasoned well and fresh. Also a great place to shop for gifts to bring back from a trip. I found the selection of local made goodies to be outstanding. If you are in the Hilo area, stop in and make sure to support this local business.

TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE! I called the KTA store at Puainako asking about a product. I was put on hold for 5 minutes and when the line automatically rang back, the woman hung up on me. I called back three times and she quickly hung up on me three times.