Opened in Nov. 2021, owners Justine and Junior started Kawaii Ice Waves in Kalihi, which offers a form of bingsu with her own twist. (Bingsu is a traditional Korean shave ice dessert with sweet toppings that may include chopped fruits, condensed milk, fruit syrup, and/or red beans.) And because the desserts are so colorful and "cute," just as the interior of their shop, Kawaii is used in its name that refers to the culture of cuteness in Japan, such as Hello Kitty. Kawaii Ice Waves aptly describes its product.
As Justine and Junior live in the HI Kai area, it was convenient for them to open a second location of Kawaii Ice Wave in HI Kai in Feb. 2023, serving the same menu items + exclusive milkshakes. They plan to further expand to the west side of the island.
Kawaii Ice Wave offers the following cool desserts, with the combinations of flavors and toppings being limitless:
· Ice waves: soft and pillowy shave ice layered with soft serve ice cream, condensed milk and fruit or cereal. Regular flavors include strawberry or mango cheesecake, strawberry lychee, watermelon, honeydew, dragonfruit. Milk 'n' cereal ice waves have Captain Crunch berries, cinnamon toast crunch, cocoa pebbles, fruit loops, fruity pebbles, pineapple, Krave, Oreo cookies, Reese's puffs.
· Soft-serve ice cream: swirl, vanilla, strawberry, ube with various toppings.
· Sundaes: strawberry, choc, ube cheesecake.
· Shave ice: choose 2 flavors of banana, vanilla, raspberry, bubble gum, coconut, guave, lililoi, li hing, root beer, strawberry, matcha, mango, ube, & more. Available with condensed milk, mochi, ice cream.
· Ice floats: slush float using soda flavors of strawberry, red cream, orange creamsicle, red cream, grape, root beer, Mountain Dew, Matcha, Thai tea.
· Halo halo: coconut jellies, sugar, palm, jackfruit, milk, sugar, soft serve, frosted flakes in brown sugar and ube flavors.
I tried one of their popular ice waves, mango cheesecake. The ice flakes were amazingly soft and fluffy, and they held its shape without melting. There were layers of snowy ice, soft-serve ice cream, and fresh chunks of mango throughout the ice wave and topped with a pile of fresh mango and bite-size cheesecake pieces. Perfectly executed, refreshing, and delicious, while not overly sweet! It was a generous and filling portion, and yes, it's a winner!
The small shop interior is bright, super clean, and colorful with Instagrammable photo ops of a green grass wall and a cool pink telephone booth decorated with roses and garlands of flowers. Pink walls, neon lights, a padded bench, and cute pastel pink and blue chairs adorn the shop and give it a nice ambiance. There are chairs inside and outside the store for you to comfortably eat your dessert, with the marina a few steps away to enjoy the view relaxing view.
Justine was in the front, taking orders and payments, while staff was in the back, creating the delicious concoctions. She was very friendly and attentive, while taking the time to explain their sweets and answer any questions. I could see how excited she was with this business, as she was compassionate of their sweets that are creative and fills a niche in Honolulu. Wishing Justine and Junior much success in their business endeavor!
Located in the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, close to the marina, and next to HI Kai Nails & Spa and HI Kai Barber & Styling near Longs Drugs, look for the bright pink store. Free private parking is available in the shopping complex that is shared with other businesses. Hours of operation are: Mon to Fri 1p to 9p and Sat/Sun 11a to 9p. Credit cards are accepted.
Can't wait to try other flavors of their ice waves, ice cream floats, halo halo, and soft-serve sundaes that are so kawaii, refreshing and delicious! Wishing Justine and Junior much success in this second location. Support local! read more