Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha

First shaved ice spot we hit up on Oahu and it did not disappoint. The ice was smooth and super refreshing, but it does melt fairly quickly compared to other spots. The matcha flavor and red bean topping here is the best of the spots I have hit up before. The fruits syrups here have a good natural flavor without being too sour or sweet. I do wish they had more seating if customers wanted to eat their cold treat nearby.

Great shave ice place!! It was delicious and such a good quality. We looked up the best shave ice in Oahu, and this kept coming up pretty high in the lists, and definitely lived up to expectations! The shop was cute and the shave ice was delicious. One of the best in Hawaii!

I came to this spot back in August 2024. It’s now December, and I still think about that shaved ice. It was so creamy and refreshing. I wish there was one of these back home. I remember the worker being so sweet when I was indecisive too 🙏😫 Don’t hesitate to get your shaved ice from here—it’s literally so good. Worth every dollar.💯

Small little spot to grab some dessert. We never had shaved ice and ice cream together and it was delicious. The fresh fruit, especially the mango, were a delicacy on this hot day. The wife and I split the rainbow bowl. Highly recommend it for anyone wanting to give them a try. We couldn’t finish the regular size. A good value for your dollar. The cashier was so nice as well.

Great shaved ice. Before we came to Hawaii for vacation. Multiple people recommended Uncle Clay's. And now I see why. Welcoming staff, beautiful shop, and amazing shaved ice. It will be a place we now recommend too. We were hoping to meet Uncle Clay. (He wasn't there) but, his spirit and vibe definitely reside here.

*Comparing to Waiola and Matsumoto’s* The shave ice is NOT soft like Waiola or Matsumoto’s. It’s definitely more crunchy. The flavors of the syrups are seemingly more natural, but therefore far less selection overall. AND you only get to pick 2 flavors… 2. Maybe that was because I chose a small size, idk. I’m still shocked. lol I liked the idea of having fresh mango on my shave ice, so that was a plus. Not enough of an experience to warrant coming back for more, sadly.

Worth the drive out for this shave ice! Stopped by two years ago, and was not disappointed. The toppings are excellent (fruits are so fresh!), and the ice is just the right amount of sweetness. Not the cheapest, but definitely a must-have in Honolulu.

Dec 2024: Many groups can enter the shop to order now. Plenty of fun merchandise to browse and purchase. Large classic rainbow for 2 to share is still plenty. Ice was a bit less fine and more crunchy than I remembered, flavors were lovely. Smaller scoop of vanilla ice cream. Early November 2021: Classic Rainbow #2 or Tropical Delight #3 shave ice, both have the scoop of vanilla bean ice cream! Size regular to share between 2 adults. HOPA is our favorite shave ice place on Oahu. We've visited twice on our 2021 trip. Currently, only 5 guests allowed inside to order at a time + takeout only. Cash or (physical) credit card, but no "watch" or "phone"-pay options. The store has a large number of logo tshirts, hats (baseball caps), water bottles, and stickers for sale. There was also a jar of free logo pins. We were able to pick up a shave ice just before 6pm closing and drove over to Wailupe beach (just down the street to the west) to enjoy it. A treat for hiking Diamond Head! I've visited HOPA on 3 separate trips so far (over the past few years). I hope to visit again soon! I've told everyone I know who is planning to visit Oahu to go here for their shave ice!

Best shave ice on the island. The syrups are fresh/not artificial and the shave ice consistency is excellent (nice and airy). I got the guava and green tea flavors and it was bursting with flavor.

Small shop in a shopping mall. Not too busy when we were in. Great selection of flavors and good prices. I like that yo can choose the tiny option. I got the matcha special with no ice cream. The mochi and adzuki were so good. The matcha flavor was also really good. I tried my sisters guava and that was really tasty as well! My dad had the strawberry special and he said it's his favorite dessert ever and ate the whole thing lol. Def recommend to satisfy your shave ice cravings!

Five Stars!! Excellent shave ice delicious made flavors, service is prompt & friendly value in their product, in relation to cost! Enjoyed very much & everyone should visit Uncle Clay's!

Came by after a beach day to get some shave ice. It's pretty close by to where we were at and there's lots of parking available. Once we arrive, able to get inside and there was not a long line at the time so that was really nice. They have a few menus up so you can just pick how many flavors you want and any toppings if you want as well. I personally got guava, li hing , mochi, and condensed milk. It was super tasty, and the flavors are very authentic. At this place they have all organic sauces and syrups so you can really taste the flavors in them. That's what sets them apart from other places. I hope to come back again to try some of their other flavors as well.

This place is a cute spot located in the diamond head area. The downside: no chairs to sit inside and the strawberry Dream didn't have strawberries but blueberries. The service is fast and friendly. However this is one of those spots that packs a good lunch to it but personally for me this is one of those one and done spots. Nothing personal, just not my cup of tea for the price it's worth.

This was delicious and probably the best shaved ice on the Island. The macha flavor was out of this world. Plenty of other unique flavors and at a great price. The really put in the time to make this delicious with the mochi balls, house ice cream and red bean paste.

Absolute favorite shaved ice spot in Oahu! I've tried a few and this one I would definitely go back to! It's located in a shopping center amongst many other stores but there's a huge parking lot luckily. It's all just order at the counter and take it to go, no seating inside. But there's some tables down the sidewalk you can sit at. Although they have many combinations to select from, we decided to create our own. We ordered half guava and half liliko with vanilla ice cream and condensed milk. Such a delicious and refreshing combination! The consistency was so light and the flavors were bold. The ice cream was fresh vanilla bean as well. So so tasty! The price was quite reasonable as well. Definitely recommend!

Second time visiting this shave ice spot, it's a great introduction to shave ice but def better the first time. The cashier and employee creating the ice were chit chatting and not really focusing on the customers, the flavors are still good but this time the mochi was off, too big and not as tasty. The store is small and no real seating area just bar shelves to stand and eat if you want to eat next to all their merch.

perfect way to end our beach day. we got a regular size with guava and lilikoi and added mochi, condensed milk, and mango. i think it ended up being just over $10. the lilikoi flavor is a must! very fragrant and it was our favorite of the two. the guava was a little more muted and watery in comparison. small shop with bench seating outside. luckily there was no line so service was quick!

Super chill spot for some shave ice. The staff was friendly, it wasn't too busy when we went on a weekday afternoon. They have specials you can choose from (I did the mango coco whip) or you can also build your own. The flavors of their homemade syrups were so good and full of flavor. It's definitely worth stop for a sweet treat/pick-me-up/cooling off.

I've been coming here since the Doe Fang days, and it's been a few years since my last visit. I recently stopped by with some out-of-town friends, and it was just as good as I remembered. The strawberry shave ice was fresh and flavorful, but what really stood out was the service. The staff were so welcoming and friendly--it's clear they care about creating a great experience for everyone. I did not expect that to be honest but it's nice to see how Uncle Clay's personality and aloha still is alive and well here!

BEST SHAVE ICE EVER! I so wish that Uncle Clay was one of my uncles - because, this uncle knows how to do shave ice right! We came here to get a little treat, and ordered one of their specials, the #3 - Tropical Delight. This came with lilikoi, guava, and pineapple syrups, topped with fresh pineapple chunks and a scoop of Tahitian vanilla ice cream. WOW, never had a frozen treat like this before, as it's nothing like pot bing soo or snow cones - the snow was nicely shaved, and the syrups were plentiful where there was no 'naked' ice anywhere! The flavors were so yummy and refreshing, and the added chunks of fresh pineapple and the creamy ice cream added such a nice layer to it! The size was generous, which was easily shared between 2+ people. Service is friendly, and while you wait for your treat, you can peruse through their apparel and gift items. Located at the ʻĀina Haina Shopping Center, there's plenty of parking in the large plaza lot. +delicious shave ice! +friendly service +plenty of parking +located at the ʻĀina Haina Shopping Center

I'm a huge fan of Uncle Clay's! It's a small shop that's highly well known and rivals some of the best on the island. Huge s/o to my wife for letting me know about this place. I love their strawberry dream flavor which is delicious on all levels. It's creamy, milky, and has a taste of real strawberry ice cream. The texture of their ice is good but I've had better elsewhere. The service here is super friendly; young kids with excellent manners and good energy. There were lots of locals who knew the general manager which was nice. I can tell people are loyal to this place. I would love to come back again and visit. I can't get enough of that strawberry dream.

I've been wanting to come here since they were featured on Somebody Feed Phil. I am so delighted to know that this place is definitely worth trying. Everything tasted so fresh and the fruit flavors were very strong

Stumbled upon HOPA by happy accident, and we loved it so much we came back twice- and this is coming from someone who normally doesn't like icy desserts! My boyfriend and I shared a signature Classic Rainbow the first time, and the second time we went for a regular mango shave ice and picked our own toppings with mangoes, homemade mochi, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The textural combination of chewy mochi, ripe mango, and creamy ice cream is elite. The ingredients are SO fresh, and I can't emphasize enough how unbelievably creamy and full of real vanilla flavor the ice cream was. I could have eaten a pint of that alone. The menu does look a little chaotic at first glance, but you can't really go wrong with any of the items here. There was nowhere to eat inside when I went, but there's a few benches right outside. Plenty of parking available since this is located in a strip mall. The employees were sweet, and the inside of the shop is cute, decorated with a bunch of Uncle Clay's photos and HOPA merch. I was never really a fan of the icy shave ice texture before, but after coming here, I totally get it now. - Ambiance: 5/5 - Food: 5/5 - Service: 5/5

We first saw HOPA on Somebody Feed Phil several years ago, and what Phil loves is good enough for me. Uncle Clay's heartfelt aloha spirit fills you with joy when you step in these doors. We stopped by for a refreshing treat after a long day navigating the island and it def hit the spot! The menu offers something for everyone - flavors, toppings, it's like a fruity, frosty choose your own ending book! Eat the ice, feel the love, spead the aloha!!!

Out of all the shaved ice spots we tried including Ululanis, Uncle Clay's was the best. I don't know why the word "clean" comes out when I try to describe it but it's just so refreshing. It's the perfect amount of flavor and syrup. The staff looked like young students which is always great to see in the community. Also they have a ton of candy and other little snacks you can buy that are all from native hawaiin businesses. I don't recall any seating in here which is a bummer but I would deffffffinitely recommend coming here

So good! My first experience with Uncle Clay's HOPA was kale spin maybe 10 years ago--they only do kale spin in March these days because kale isn't as popular but it is Uncle's favorite. All that said, Citrus Sunset was delicious. We liked the contrasting yet complimentary flavors and the freshness of the mochi balls--they were so soft! Portions are large with prices to match, but not unreasonable given that it comes with mochi, condensed milk and sorbet. Team here defines aloha spirit and the store itself is so bright and welcoming. Must come back soon.

Save this place!!!! Supposed to close on 2/24/25! Help save the best and cleanest shaved ice on the island! All natural homemade flavors! Some one help keep it open!!!

I started coming here since it was open in 2011, and while certain things have sadly changed like the interior layout (probably due to Covid) and unfortunately the quality of the ice, the syrup has always stayed true. The syrup is the best you'll find across the whole state, I dare say! Not only that but the mochi also used to be thinner and now it's thicker (which I personally love)! They used to run out of mochi, so I was surprised to see it available despite a late showing on a Sunday evening. They even give you the option of buying 5 or 10 pieces! They also used to call the now condensed milk something else that I can't remember now, but it previously looked like it was watered down condensed milk. Now I think they made it more true to its expected form (thick and sweet)! This is my favorite shaved ice place of all time for the past decade! I'm bummed they closed the Ala Moana location, but it is worth driving out to.

We tried a lot of shaved ice while in Hawaii...this was probably our 3rd or 4th variant. Despite the long history in the area, it seems time hasn't been as kind to this location or the energy level of the employees. It was also the least creative of all our experiences. I assume this is a place for nostalgia, but there are better and more exciting options elsewhere.

Uncle Clay's hits all the spots. There's a vast variety of flavors without being overwhelming, which I greatly appreciated. We loved the seasonal peach flavor side by side with the li hing, which is made from scratch in house. Condensed milk + mochi is an unbeatable combo. The staff here, especially the host, are incredibly friendly and sweet. He helped us order and explained to us what was new and asked if we've been before. He then checked up on to see if we were satisfied, which I thought was adorable! Super solid shave ice in a plaza with a bountiful picking of food options. I have to hit HOPA every time I'm in the area.

I wanted to come here because I saw it on a Netflix show. And it was worth it! Uncle clay wasn't there but there was a big ole cut out of him. The shaved ice was huge and they use great ingredients. It's in the middle of a trip mall and next to a grocery store.

Uncle Clay's has fancy looking shave ice of the crunchy ice variety. If you like the super soft snowy kind of ice, probably go to Waiola instead. $40 for 3 large and 1 small seems very expensive for ice and a scattering of fruit surrounding the tiniest scoop of ice cream. We did enjoy Uncle Clay's, but given the high price, it's a one and done kind of place rather than a must stop.

Okay I hate to say it but I never understood the hype around shaved ice. That is until I tried Uncle Clay's! Just wow. We ordered the strawberry dream. We got there around 6pm so they were already out of mochi but they subbed it with extra strawberries. The shaved ice was a perfect texture, with equal distribution of flavor throughout the ice. It was so light and fluffy and the strawberry ice cream paired exceptionally well with it. Everything about this was a melt in the mouth experience and I have forever changed my stance on shaved ice. Uncle Clay's is a must try for shaved ice!!! Will never forget this wonderful experience. Staff were also 10/10, super nice! Just a heads up that there isn't actual seating inside but there are several benches outside to enjoy ur dessert!

I now live in Washington as of 2021 and as many locals who have moved away, the homesickness is unbearable sometimes! Fortunately I was able to take some time off to visit home and am on a mission to make the most of my time here before going back to WA :( I am embarrassed to admit I hadn't tried Uncle Clay's despite having grown up in the islands. (I was comfortable staying on the Westside okkkkk) But I am so glad I made it out after a gorgeous day at the beach. I watched the Hawaii episode of Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix and I told myself once I head home to visit I would also go set some shave ice from Uncle Clay's. (If you haven't seen the episode, highly recommend!) Uncle Clay's is now one of my faves for shave ice. The natural syrups make a huge difference in taste. Not cloyingly sweet and they are also generous with the syrup. The service is also friendly and full of aloha, living up to its name and Uncle's legacy. Hoping to make one more stop before heading back to the mainland. This really hit the spot after hours of swimming and sun.

I've tried so many different shave ice places throughout my trips to Oahu and Uncle Clays is hands down the best. :) They have the most natural-tasting shave ice flavors and the freshest homemade mochi. This time, I tried the Blood Orange (seasonal) and Lilikoi which was a delicious, citrusy combo. The mochi has a soft slightly chewy texture which pairs perfectly with the shave ice and the creamy ice cream. The shop is grab-n-go and service is very quick. They also have a cutout of Uncle Clay (the founder) if you want to snap a quick pic! I also want to commend the amazing service of this business. I accidentally dropped my ice cream on the ground and they immediately helped clean it up and generously offered to replace the scoop without me asking! When you're in Oahu, please make the short trip out to support this local family-run business and enjoy the highest quality of shaved ice on the island!!

Can't believe I first met Uncle Clay and came to his original House of Pure Aloha in 2014! Our family has been fortunate to visit multiple times over the years to enjoy their wonderful shave ice with the many original, locally-made syrups and high quality shave ice. Today, we tried some of the seasonal flavors (eg, blood orange) as well as the usual favorites, and added on tasty toppings. We also appreciate the kind staff and the variety of available merch which includes items from local artists. On a personal note, since the pandemic started and subsided, we haven't had the fortune of seeing Uncle Clay in person, but his cutout in the store reminds us of his incredible warmth, hospitality and commitment to the "pure aloha" creed. We loved hearing his personal stories and despite the many customers he has served over the years, he actually remembered our family and even my kids' names and where they were going to school. We really appreciate not only the quality of HOPA but what it and Uncle Clay stand for -- can't wait to get back again!

Friendly staff and incredibly refreshing shaved ice! We got the Classic Rainbow with strawberry, mango, and pineapple syrups (all made in house!) topped with vanilla ice cream, condensed milk, and chunks of pineapples and mangoes. The pineapple syrup was especially yummy and perfectly captured the taste of a juicy pineapple, amped up by the actual sweetness of the pineapple chunks! Even the vanilla ice cream was great - dense and creamy to complement the lightness of the shaved ice. Highly recommend this place for incredible syrups and fresh fruit toppings!

Cute little shaved ice shop with a homey feeling. Easy parking, fast service and pretty good shaved ice!

The hype is REAL. You have to try shaved ice while you're in Oahu, and Uncle Clay's is a fantastic choice. This shaved ice is hiding behind a nondescript storefront sandwiched in a cookie cutter strip mall. But once you've found your way to the counter, there are a bunch of options that will make your tastebuds happy. I had one of their specials, and it was out of this world. The shaved ice (obviously), ice cream, mochi, flavoring, and tajin? Unreal. Such a treat, and super refreshing after a hike earlier in the day! Well worth a visit if you're looking for amazing shaved ice.

Best Shave Ice in Honolulu me and my Sister accidentally stop to take a peak inside the window but there was one Staff that came out he's Name is Stacey he told us to go inside and take a look which we did and wow he took the initiative with extremely high Customer Service he explained mostly everything which was exceptional and also to the crew that made our Shave Ice they made it two Thumbs up good. Again Mahalo Nui Loa Stacey outstanding Employee at Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha. Definitely coming back and pls support them...

Pure Aloha?! Staff are friendly and the Shave Ice / Snow Cones are some of the best on the south side so sure why not. Flavors tend to be less cloyingly sweet than other syrupy ice concoctions, and the fresh fruit make for a nice addition. Best things about Uncle Clays? 1. Fine soft ice. Not chunks of hard crunchy ice but nice bite-able snow. 2 Ice cream on top - Ice cream is my favorite part and their Tahitian vanilla is really good. But the placement on top is so much better than having to eat your way to the bottom to get some creamy deliciousness. 3. Parking fairly amp,e and shared with other businesses 4. Eating area via nearby small courtyard.

Found in an unassuming strip mall, we drove past the store bc it looked really dim and we thought it was closed! The quality is good, definitely appreciate the house made sauces and flavorings, much better than the artificially flavored ones! The menu and flavors were somewhat limited, they have most of the standard Hawaiian flavors though. My favorite was the guava pineapple with haupia syrup on top. The tajin and passion fruit had a tart flavor but not strong tajin flavor.

The best shave ice on the island. Because of the natural fruit syrups, no colored flavored sugar syrup here.

Tried strawberry cream. Best shaved ice I've had. I like it so much more than Matsumoto's

I come here every time I visit Oahu and it never lets me down! The puree they use on the shaved ice tastes fresh and natural. Very refreshing on a hot day! (Although it was pouring rain the last time I went. I enjoyed it anyway :))

My husband wanted to stop by and the shave ice did not disappoint! I like how they make their own syrups and mochi (see the heart on top of mine?) I ordered lilikoi and POG with mango and mochi. This was the perfect serving size - should have shared but I devoured one on my own! Perfect to enjoy when it is or isn't warm. This shop is takeout only but there is plaza seating with tables nearby (towards the left when looking at the shop). There wasn't a line when we arrived but there was a small one after us on a weekday early afternoon.

Delicious shave ice. Haupia ice cream is fire. The mochi ball is a must. Would go again. 5/5

Came here for the shaved ice. Uncle clay looked like an OG place for shaved ice so we had to come check it out. We were almost an hour prior to closing. They were out of vanilla ice cream. Which sucks since we really wanted the ice cream with the shaved ice. They had given us more fruits instead. However the mango didn't taste fresh. Bit disappointing for sure. We were visiting as well for the first time so we really want to find a good place for shaved ice.

Cute small shop. The menu is confusing as some of it was hanging from the ceiling and the rest was on the ground it was a bit all over the place. I just ordered from the pictures since I couldn't really figure it out. I got a regular classic rainbow. It was made fresh and came out quickly the service is fast. It was delicious the syrups were fresh fruit and the fresh mangos and pineapples were delicious ripe and so sweet. I would definitely get it again and would come back to try more.

The best Hawaiian shaved ice on the island. Tried shaved ice from the West, North and East shore and this was the best we had. The service is also very fast and friendly. A must try when visiting Oahu.

This place is the best! Uncle Clay is very friendly and his restaurant truly looks to capture and share that Aloha! Just miss seeing Uncle Clay at the store. Hope he is ok. Our go to item is the Ujilintoki, which is a green matcha with red bean paste, mochi and ice cream. It is consistent and not that sweet. Just perfect on a hot day. We've been coming here for many years now and I hope this store survives beyond Uncle Clay. His history is really interesting too. If you look carefully above the door of the store it says Do Fung Co - which I believe was his dad's business that he inherited. When he retired he decided to open this shave ice store. Great way to share the Aloha!

Got to find this local gem from Somebody Feed Phil-Netflix Season 4 (2020) Hawaii episode. The warmth, joy, and humor throughout the episode made me want to go there, which I did! I made a trip outside the touristy area and got myself some shave ice when I visited Hawaii. It's nice that It's further from the touristy area and it's located in a plaza. It's located in 'AINA HAINA shopping center. The staff was familiar which items/syrup that are dairy free which is helpful. It was so refreshing, not overly sweet and just so good. They use real fresh fruit. Uncle Clay unfortunately wasn't there. I asked the staff if they got more foot traffic and business since the show came out and they surely did.

This place is definitely top 3 in the area. The ice is super fine and softer than some overrated places. You can see the pride all around the store. Even with the condensed milk and ice cream, it was not too sweet. It's a little fancier for shaved ice, but everything went well together. The serving size is pretty good and addicting, so if you have a sweet tooth, you may want one just for yourself. There is usually a line out the door, but if you're lucky and come close to opening, you could be one of the first! They also have some cool merch to buy and bring home to remember them by! I definitely did! 10/1, will definitely come back!

Over hyped. It's good, but not worth the hype. I visited because I saw this being advertised on TikTok as the best shaved ice shops in Hawaii. It's good, but it's pretty much the same as any other shaved ice place. Or at least, it's comparably similar. And it's definitely not worth the drive if it's out of the way. (It was out of the way for me LOL). The service was good. The shaved ice was made quickly and it was delicious. But it's definitely over hyped especially since most of the shaved ice places taste the same/similar. They have the same/similar brands and flavor of syrup. I'd recommend a visit here if it's on the way to or from where you are going in order to support local businesses. But this is definetly not something worth going out of your way to try, when there are so many comparable options in central Waikiki. Tl;dr - good, not "the best" as most of the places I went to were about the same, only visit if it's convenient. Not worth going out of your way to try this specific spot.

The shave ice was pretty good. I'm not sure how Hawaiian shave ice is supposed to taste like since this is the only place I tried. Tried #4 ujikintoki (match green tea) and #2 classic rainbow. Both good. I still prefer Taiwanese shave ice which is like soft snow.

Came to HOPA after the beach to cool off Got the Uji Kintoki but they were out of Red Bean, their homemade matcha is really good. They also make their own mochi, and you can choose which fresh fruits you want to add, so goooood. You cant go wrong with what you order from their menu Our family stopped here twice during our vacation, great desserts.

Came to Uncle Clay's on a Monday afternoon, and it wasn't too crowded. We ordered the small shave ice with pineapple and mango flavor, and added the tiny ice cream topping, condensed milk, and homemade mochi. Out of all the shave ice places we visited, I feel like Uncle Clay's had the best balance of shave ice consistency and flavor of toppings. The consistency was not the most fine (that would be Waiola), but the texture was still soft and not too icy. The flavors available were more basic than other places, but there's something comforting about the simplicity of the flavors they had. Both the pineapple and mango flavors came through well, but I realized half way through that I don't enjoy the artificial taste of pineapple (so that is more so on me than on Uncle Clay's), but I liked the mango! The mochi was soft and fresh, and had good texture even if it didn't have too much flavor. Definitely better than Waiola's mochi. Overall, a very satisfying bowl of shave ice! And the workers were really friendly. There is ample parking in the lot outside.