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    Kai Store

    4.4 (20 reviews)

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    Store Front
    Gabriel P.

    Looking for Dried Aku or Dried Ahi? Stop by this small store. It's located about a block away from the KTA on Puainako Street. They have a small selection of convenient store items. I come here for the dried Aku. It's twenty dollars a tub. Enjoy.

    Getting my usual stash everytime I visit here :)
    Scot U.

    Great prices to get One Ton Chips and other locally made things! Buy a large bag of One Ton Chips there for $7, as compared to KTA 1 minute down Puainako Avenue for $10. Almost a 3 for 2 deal! They sell taro chips too! But they are "allright"... kind of harder than taro and sweet potato chips from other places. But some people like it that way. If you're looking for locally made dried fish like aku, ahi and such, they have that too! Also got One Ton cookies (pretty good) and a few other things. So a laid-back, mom & pop place that really steps back into the past with an old town feel! With a standing order to always get the chips (and strawberry mochi from Two Ladies Kitchen) everytime I'm in Hilo, and to support the small local businesses, this is a must stop for me!

    Great sign.
    Wesley T.

    Kai Store is located just behind the Puainako KTA and caught my eye several times because of the taro chips sign in the front. We went in to but some taro chips and discovered that this is a good spot to explore for Big Island omiyage. Besides taro chips they offer sweet potato chips, jerky, smoked and dried fish. Their products look fresh and it is nice to patronized a small family business. I will stop by again next time I am in Hilo.

    Outside
    Christal P.

    This is a gem from the past and well worth the stop while in Hilo. I love these mom & pop stores that have become all but obsolete in Honolulu. I stopped by as soon as I saw the sign for taro chips. Found out the store doesn't have the technology to take debit/credit cards, so came back later in the day when I had cash, and I'm so glad I did. I bought a bag of taro chips and a hand of locally grown bananas from a vendor who rents a space outside the store. One of the great aspects of these old stores is that there is always an interesting history behind them. I got to talk story with the owner, whose parents opened Kai Store in 1936 when that part of Hilo was just countryside. Now, it's on the corner of a very busy intersection. The owner's parents worked long hours at the store to give their kids an education. They planned to eventually close the store, but when the owner's mom became ill in the 1960s, he returned home and took over the store after his mom's passing. Kai Store used to sell alcohol and tobacco products, but after having kids, he didn't like them to be around customers who had a bad influence on them along with the danger of having some burglaries occur for those products. That is why Kai Store no longer sells alcohol and tobacco. Kai Store now sells mostly Big Island made products like taro chips from Da Taro Chip Kapuna, Maebo One-Ton Chips made in Hilo, Hawaiian Sweet Potato Chips, dried fish, Hawaiian Island Tye Dye shirts, and other Hawaiian made clothing. The owner makes additional profits by renting space outside his store to local vendors who sell fruit and lunch plates. He's had to rebrand the store several times to catch up with the changing landscape, but Kai Stores is still standing. It's sad to think that Kai Stores might not be around after the owner retires - he says that none of his children have an interest in taking over the business - but at least for now there is still a bit of old Hawaii left to enjoy.

    Dried Aku
    Brian M.

    Kai Store locate up the street from KTA is almost your forgotten Mom & Pops store of yesteryear. We stopped into this small little store on our way to Maebo Noodle Factory after seeing the dried fish sign displayed in front of the store. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kai-store-hilo?select=YIyDriBW0p1ufbaWwpm7vw#hLpzwjknoQA_9mh3vDjpQg Yes I'm the kind of person who LOVES Dried Aku and Dried Opelu. Once entering this old store you notice they carry just the essentials you need for a pit stop like drinks,snacks,funky shirts,dried fish and what? Maebo Chips? We told the older gentleman that we were on our way to Maebo and his response was that he was a little cheaper...Ahem..Not going to say why..We just grabbed a couple a bags Wonton chips,Cookies,Dried Opelu and Dried Aku. If you're a Dried Aku kind of person then you know that for $20 this is not a bad deal for a bunch of 6-7inch pieces. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kai-store-hilo?select=YIyDriBW0p1ufbaWwpm7vw#YIyDriBW0p1ufbaWwpm7vw *I'm really glad we made a stop at this Old School Store. I would give this store *3 stars,but because of the good deals we got here *4 stars. *Parking available in front and on the side of the Store.

    Dried fish
    Julieann P.

    Looking for dried fish, marlin, aku and opelu this is your one stop shop. A little mom and pop store. But bring cash no credit accepted here

    Smoked marlin
    Darrell P.

    This is where my mom and grandma pick up their poi from. It's definitely the cheapest one you can find and not watered down like the mainstream poi. We came here for the kulolo and dried fish. The kulolo has that caramelized sort of burnt sugar taste and is a little more corse and is darker in color that sets it apart from the Kaua'i kulolo. Don't get me wrong, the Kaua'i kulolo is really good but I like this one better flavor wise. $7.00 a block. Compare that to Honolulu prices! You be paying at least $4.00 more. They didn't have ahi and the aku had a lot of blood compared to red meat you can see in the picture. The opelu was fileted in half but still had the bones inside. We ended up cleaning out the dried marlin and was nice enough to leave some kulolo behind. $12.00 for a 1 lb bag of marlin. Really nice guy working inside. The parking is...tight. I dont recall lines on the ground but just make pretend there is. Kinda gotta park in a angle because the freaking road is right there behind you.

    Good friends - Paul and Charlie
    Lyn F.

    Stopped back in Hilo for a fast trip to relax and visit relatives. Hubby had to visit Kai's Store to catch up with his friend Paul and see what's new. Picked up some poi from Waipio and Kauai kulolo. And of course had to catch up on news of the family; Paul is such a friendly, likeable guy. Kai Store is definitely an authentic store from the past and a place to visit to see what Hawaii and Hilo is/was like. Will have to revisit on our next trip back. Much aloha, Paul

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    4 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Poi on Thursdays after 2pm. Love the wun tun chips from Maebo. Kulolo is so Ono too!

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Always get my poi and dried fish at this store. Laulau is also available. Mr Kai is always friendly and accommodating.

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    Review Highlights - Kai Store

    Inside, there is not much to choose from but we only come here for specific items - the dried fish, poi and kulolo.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Ace Hardware

    Ace Hardware

    (15 reviews)

    $$

    So its evening....they dont fill propane after the sun goes down because "nighttime is…read moredangerous"...lmfao.....so who cannot fill propane at night? ACE Hardware. ....every visit here sucks.

    Ace Hardware Pāhoa is an absolute treasure for our town…read more Living in Puna, having Ace Hardware right here in Pāhoa is nothing short of a blessing. Anyone who lives out here knows how big of a deal it is to not have to drive all the way to Hilo for every little tool, bolt, fitting, or household fix. The convenience alone saves hours of time, gas, and stress but what really makes this place special is the people. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted by friendly, knowledgeable, genuinely helpful staff who actually care about helping you solve problems not just pointing you to an aisle and disappearing. Whether you're working on a small home repair, a major project, gardening, plumbing, electrical, or just need advice, someone is always willing to stop what they're doing and help you figure it out. This store feels like what a local hardware store is supposed to feel like community-centered, welcoming, and reliable. You can tell the staff takes pride in serving Pāhoa and the surrounding Puna area. They remember faces, they listen, and they treat everyone with respect from seasoned contractors to first-time DIY folks. The selection is impressive for a small-town store, and they're constantly stocking what people actually need out here. If they don't have something, they'll help you find the closest alternative or order it. That kind of service is rare these days. Honestly, Ace Hardware Pāhoa isn't just a store it's part of the infrastructure that makes living in Puna workable and enjoyable. We are incredibly grateful to have it in our town. It supports local life, keeps projects moving, and helps us take care of our homes and ʻāina without unnecessary trips across the island. Mahalo to the entire Ace Hardware Pāhoa team for being dependable, kind, and consistently excellent. Pāhoa is better because you're here. Mahalo KAPONO JIM

    Kai Store - propane - Updated May 2026

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