Waiola Shave Ice

While looking for a construction job-site, I found this shaved ice cream place. It is a small building, but the shaved ice is some of the best I’ve ever had. I’ve had Matsumoto, but upon trying this one, it has become my favorite. If you are a local, or a visitor, you must try this place, you won’t be disappointed.

Waiola Shave Ice is a classic spot with super smooth, finely shaved ice and tons of fun flavor options. It’s a great treat on a hot day and definitely a must-try in Honolulu! That said, the syrups can be really sweet — I’d recommend asking for “less syrup” or “less sweet” if you’re not into super sugary desserts. Still delicious, just a bit intense if you’re watching your sugar intake.

The reviews aren’t exaggerating; when they say it’s soft, they mean SOFT! The ice literally melts the second it hits your tongue. The only downside is you have to enjoy it quickly on a hot day, or it’ll melt into a slushy puddle. The syrup was evenly spread, with no bland ice spots. Very delicious, and there are plenty of benches outside for seating!

Came here after watching the Mark Weins Honolulu food tour video and it did not disappoint. Got condensed milk on some fruit flavors as well as the azumi bowl and both were very refreshing with well balanced flavors. There is also a small store selling their merchandise.

When you think of Hawaii, shave ice comes to mind! You can enjoy it at many spots, but so far this place is the best. The ice is incredibly fluffy, and the azuki beans, condensed milk, and mochi are all amazing! Definitely a must-try. Although it’s “kakigori” brought from Japan, the shop is run by a family from Taiwan.

Best shaved ice in honolulu!!! My friend and i walked there and it was the best getting a refreshing, not too sweet, azuki shaved ice to share! Also got their merch- a cute hat hehe :)

One of the best shaved ice on the island! We were lucky to come on a day that wasn’t too crowded. The service was friendly, the combinations offered were delicious and they have the cutest merch! This is on my list for stops to make when I’m in Hawaii. So ono!

Delicious syrups, and real shaved ice. There is a bench just outside, but it’s pretty much made for grab and go. It’s a tiny place with an order window. There’s also a convenience store next to it. Nothing more refreshing them shaved ice on a hot day.

My first trip to Waiola Shave Ice didn't disappoint. Best shave ice on island. The service was excellent, great recommendations, fast service.

If you are looking for a shaved ice place then this is the right spot. Not only do they have everything, Waiola is probably more affordable than all your other shaved ice places in the area. Their menu is also easy. You can customize your own or you can get one of their popular combinations. And you can get it with ice cream! For sizes Waiola offers a small, medium, large, or jumbo size. For a small you can get up to 2 flavors which is nice. I love that they have so many options of flavors, toppings, and drizzles. They even have azuki beans if you like that. I got their $4 small with two flavors: li hing and lychee. I topped it off with li hing and condense milk and it was heavenly. Every bite was delicious and the small size was perfect for me. The shaved ice was soft and perfect. It was definitely worth it and I recommend it if you are in the area and are looking for an affordable sweet treat. This place also has a store that sells snacks and candies as well. There isn't a spot to sit inside and eat your treat but they have benches outside.

This made my afternoon. I went there by Lyft and the driver said, "Man, I haven't had shave ice in a long time." If that also applies to you, this is a great spot to enjoy one of life's great treasures.

This shaved ice is the perfect answer to a hot day--light, refreshing, and packed with tropical flavor without being overly sweet. The combination of mango, POG (passion orange guava), and lychee syrups creates a trio that dances across the palate. Nestled underneath the shaved ice is a scoop of smooth, creamy ice cream that adds a nice contrast to the texture of the shaved ice. Topping off the ice are mochi balls--soft, chewy, and the perfect texture to the treat overall . The condensed milk blends the sweet, fruity flavors with a smooth, tone down milky flavor. It is a must-try for people that are looking for something refreshing and tryin to cool off on a hot day. I must come back the next time I'm in town to try all the other flavors and combos that they have to offer!

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.

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!

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

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.

The typical classic shave ice flavors, gives this place a nostalgic feel. The syrup doesn't taste homemade but thats part of the old school charm. This ice here is super fine and compact that it turns to an Italian ice texture when the syrup is applied.

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!

Always great bringing mainland friends to Waiola Shave Ice. We haven't visited in awhile, but love the new signage in how to go about ordering your favorite.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

I'm surprised I haven't reviewed this place before today because it's a must stop every time I'm here in Hawaii. Waiola is our go to. The ice is soft and melts in your mouth. The mochi is chewy. The ice cream is delicious. The flavors are prominent. The service is fast. It's only a to go spot though, but there's a bench out front. This was not our first time and won't be the last.

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!!

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.

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 :-)

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

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!

This place is great for shave ice and cheaper than the rest of the other shave ice spots. Service is quick and easy & the workers seem to be family so that's a plus.

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!

A classic for a reason! They know exactly what they are doing to create a flavorful, refreshing shave ice. It is always crowded these days but they have made huge efforts to encourage people to be efficient in ordering and have a 3-person process to make the line go more quickly. They offer a variety of specials as well as toppings and add-ons. They have some seating on the sides of the establishment.

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

Cool Christmas... Mahalo to the entire Waiola Shave Ice for opening it's doors on this hot Christmas Day as I decided to give them a visit which wasn't the easiest with the parking situation but was well worth the search as many took full advantage of the cool treat. I dragged mom along though she was adamant that she didn't want any only got excited for the 4oz keiki size lol! The shave ice here is very fine and not the chunky type of ice and since it was Christmas I decided to get us Strawberry and mochi but they were out of mochi...SOB! Perfectly fine without any topping I'm happy to have this cool treat along side mom to enjoy which she did as this isn't the usual location to frequent because of the parking situation but love that there's a lot of seating provided all around the shop. The staff here is nice and friendly and works fast making everyone's order in the order given so be prepared for your order to be ready and just love the shave ice mascot which makes great photo op that I couldn't resist myself and enjoyed the vibe of this bright corner on Waiola. Thank you!

After a hot day at the zoo, this is the perfect treat. Dessert for 3 under $20, yes please! The staff is always quick and once you order it takes less than 5 minutes to get your order. The parking is a little hard to come by now that it's gaining popularity, but still a must try!

This is a nice place for shaved ice near Waikiki. Usually all shaved ice places near Waikiki are pretty expensive but this one has reasonable prices . The service is fast . There are benches right in front of the place to sit and enjoy the shaved ice . They have free parking space which is pretty cool as it's not easy to find one near Waikiki . I tried pina colada and lychee flavor with condensed milk flavor . They have kids sizes as well . You can either get one of their rainbow flavors or mix any 2 flavors . The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I didn't like the texture as the ice itself was very very fine shaved for my liking . I would have preferred to feel the texture of the ice a lil more rather than having it so fine . But it's worth giving a try if you are around Waikiki.

#1 Shave ice in the world. We've been coming back to this place for many many many years and nobody does it like Waiola and nobody beats their shave ice. You don't have to travel far from Waikiki or pay expensive prices - just go to this place. You won't regret it.

Sooo good and adorable! Since visiting we've been craving shave ice. We tried two other spots but this one was perfect for me! Do not let the outside fool you. I ordered a Melona with ice cream and it was amazing. Service was quick, I turned around and it was already ready. They also have a cute little store inside that sells merch (I love stickers so this was perfect) and a bunch of different snacks. There's some parking and seating is limited to outside benches. Will definitely come back!

Waiola was a recommended Hawaiian shave ice spot and with all the rave reviews I thought this was going to be great. IMHO overall flavor and execution was good not great. Shaved ice wasn't as fine as we've had at other shops, the syrups left an artificial aftertaste, and the azuki beans were whole and hard. My son enjoyed his, but this wasn't "broke da mouth" for me. Parking was very limited in their tiny lot and our ride had to park far down a residential block.

Best shaved ice I've ever had. It is more like snow ice (like Bing su) finely shaved. It was so delicious and flavorful because I usually am not a fan of shaved ice

As a returning visitor to Hawaii who grew up here, I usually recommend Waiola as the shave ice to get to friends and coworkers who ask for advice on where to go, because it's my personal favorite shave ice place (I know Matsumoto's has their die-hard fan base, but I prefer Waiola). I don't know exactly what it is (and it's possible it's just nostalgia), but the texture and taste of the shave ice here is what I think of when I think classic Hawaiian shave ice. You can't go wrong with Waiola on a hot day!

Visited here when on Oahu and it's a good shaved ice place. The flavor is good and the ice is smooth and refreshing. I'm glad they have the keiki size and the only thing that they need to work on is their customer service. I don't find any aloha spirit with the employees, not friendly at all. Overall is an ok experience.

If you're choosing between Wailola and Matsumoto, I'd give the edge to Matsumoto. However, they're on completely different parts of the island, so if you're not making the drive out to Matsumoto's, Waiola will do, but it's a completely different experience. Waiola is in busy city setting with limited parking, while Matsumoto is in a heavily tourist area where it's the star of the show. Waiola Shave Ice doesn't have the friendliest service on some days, while Matsumoto caters to tourists coming from all different countries and has the patience to match. Waiola feels more like a hidden gem you'd find in a random street corner in LA. The flavors are very good here, but you should add the ice cream, beans, and condensed milk to your order to make it complete.

OG Shave ice spot in the neighborhood!!! Been around forever and is good every. single. time. Texture of ice perfectly melts in da mouth & love how they get crack seed store connected for shop in also !! Prices $ are great & they have keiki cups

Been coming here when I'm in the area for over a decade and change and it's never changed for the worse. A timeless hole in the wall with clean flavors, some of the best prices has and will be an icon long after we leave. I normally get the pog peach and grape but every flavor is good with the side of either ice cream or mochi for me or whatever for you. The desserts here are bomb as well with tons of flavor for the price. It's a easy stop if you're in the McCully area and something I look forward to along a trip to town

We decided we needed shave ice after our long day. They have a lot of options to choose from with the syrups and toppings, so I believe there's something for the whole family. We ordered the Obama Ice and I suddenly understood why everyone loved it. It was very refreshing and affordable for a family to enjoy. They had some outdoor seating and one of those machines that you put coins in to make a coin to keep with whatever design you want. They were very fast getting our order out and pleasant. I wish we went again.

A true hidden gem. I'm honestly torn about sharing this place--part of me wants to keep it a secret so only those who really know can enjoy it. But they're just too good not to share. Stop wasting your time at those overrated touristy shaved ice spots. We came here after getting tired of circling around forever just to find a single parking spot elsewhere. This shop is tucked away on a small street in a residential area, and you can tell it's loved by locals--about 70% of the people in line were return customers who didn't even need to look at the menu. The menu can be a little confusing because there are so many options, but we picked two combinations to try most of the flavors. The shaved ice was incredibly soft--not like those so-called "authentic" places where you're basically chewing on ice cubes that numb your mouth. I'll definitely be coming back. This might just be my go-to shaved ice spot from now on.

I can't believe I have lived in Hawaii as long as I have and never tried Waiola Shave Ice, I fixed that today. I am a big fan of Hawaii shave ice, and after tasting Waiola, they jump to the top of my favorites list. OMG was I a happy camper! I ordered the Obama Rainbow, consisting of Cherry, Lemon-lime, Passion Fruit flavors with Ice Cream, of course, and topped with Lilikoi Cream + .50 cents. It was absolutely delicious, I really enjoyed how fine the ice was shaved and the flavors went together perfectly. Lots of customers but Service was really fast. The servers were professional and helpful in recommending topping. They also have a little store to purchase swag and / or pick up drinks or local snacks. No problem with finding parking on the street. Lots of options either in front or around the corner. They also have some benches you can sit on to enjoy your shave ice. I will definitely drive out of my way to try a different flavor.

My fave shave ice store on the island. I love the soft/snowy texture & so many flavors & toppings to choose from (my favorite is the mochi balls, so chewy & yummy). I tried a bunch of flavors throughout the years & some were a hit, some were a miss. Can't go wrong with blue vanilla & melona though! Must eat it quick as is it melts within minutes in the hot sun. Sadly only savored a handful of bites before I was left with half a bowl of melted shave ice.

Pretty good shave ice with generous toppings. I got the Azuki bowl, which was shave ice, red beans, condensed milk, and mochi - all things I enjoy. The beans and condensed milk were plentiful, but I was a bit bummed to just get 4 mochi balls. They were larger mochi balls, but still. You order outside at the window. Quick service at a decent price. There is some seating outside, but not much. Parking wasn't too hard to find - there is a parking lot adjacent to the building.

Hardly any syrup, I took one bite and I see plain ice , never had such dry shaved ice and it was pretty tasteless ,

Amazing syrups and finely shaved I w makes this a real treat. Try a snow cap of condensed cream . This one is the real deal for flavor and qualit

It's a really good place with it being my first shaved ice in Hawaii. I did not expect it to be so good (AND ADDICTING). It's a small business and I would definitely recommend considering how friendly they are. There's also a walk in store to buy candies and merch!

This shave ice store had a small parking lot but it was full when we arrived. There was also a lot of street parking given the surrounding residential area. This store was larger with a walk in portion that sold groceries and souvenirs. All shave ice orders were taken at the walk up window. Here they had special bowl combinations, rainbow flavor mixes and more toppings like Hershey's chocolate syrup, custard and boba. Only two flavors included on each order but each additional was just 25 cents. Benches were the only seating options. We picked orange cream (good) and calpico (too subtle) flavors. The mochi balls were a bit chewier. Overall ice was soft but the medium here seemed a smaller versus Shimazu. Unfortunately not as good as we remembered.