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    Kula Shave Ice

    4.8 (441 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Kula Shave Ice Photos

    Business Info

    KULA SHAVE ICE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Kula Shave Ice

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    Create Your Own - Guava & Mango w/Condensed Milk and Vanilla Ice Cream
    Alan S.

    Located in the red building at the Hilo Farmers Market, Kula Shave Ice is a popular shave ice destination that also serves up acai bowls, coffee drinks, and other beverages. Customers order from the front window and pick-up from the side window. Rather than try a Signature Creation, we chose the Create Your Own and ordered the Guava & Mango flavors and added Condensed Milk and Vanilla Ice Cream. We enjoyed the shave ice, but we all agreed it paled in comparison to our experience at Hawaiian Ninja Shave Ice in Captain Cook. The ice did not seem as fluffy and the ice cream didn't enhance the flavors. As another reviewer commented, we also ate at the picnic tables and I found the tabletops to be sticky too. All in all, Kula is still a top choice for shave ice.

    Menu
    Kavita B.

    Based on the reviews, I had pretty high expectations for this place. I've had quite a bit of shaved ice, and this one wasn't my favorite. The flavors tasted a bit watered down, and the ice melted pretty quickly. The tables were sticky, and the trash cans were located all the way in the back, which wasn't very convenient. Overall, it was just okay. We actually found the farmers market across the street to be much more enjoyable.

    Austin W.

    After stopping by the Farmer's Market across the street, my wife and I walked over to Kula Shave Ice for some shaved ice. As a disclaimer, I'm not the biggest fan of shaved ice because of how sweet the dessert tends to be, and because more often than not, there are a bunch of artificial colors used in the fruit juices. When we looked at the menu, I was impressed and excited to see the emphasis on quality of their ingredients: no artificial flavors or colors, no aspartame, no high fructose corn syrup, and no preservatives. I was sold. Although we were tempted to create our own shaved ice, we ultimately went with "The Local", a soursop and liliko'i combo topped with haupia cream. Between the two flavors, I enjoyed the sour sop side a bit more since it was the one that was less sweet. The cream on top was absolutely delicious, and reminded me of the light and airy frothed milk cream you find on many boba drinks these days. There's a generous amount ladled on top, ensuring you can have some in every bite without having to carefully ration out the cream. Overall, I'm a fan of Kula Shave Ice. Definitely a great dessert to enjoy on a hot day. Worth checking out if you're ever in Hilo.

    menu
    Betty L.

    Wow!!! This place serves awesome shaved ice! You order at the counter. They do not have an indoor space. You can sit outside on the various benches. We went on a Saturday afternoon after visiting the Hilo Saturday Market. We ordered the Kula Rainbow $12. 10/10 It was delicious. There are public restrooms next door and there is free parking nearby about one block south off on Ponahawai St and Punahoa St. You can also look for street parking. I would definitely return.

    Mango and guava with coconut cream
    Sydni K.

    Kula Shave Ice has my favorite acai bowl in the entire world. I haven't found another place that makes a poi acai bowl, but the combination of flavors and textures in this bowl is top notch. The thick and sour poi pairs perfectly with the sweeter acai. All the crunchy toppings are the perfect addition, especially the mac nuts!

    The Local
    Jacqueline T.

    I'm always on a quest to find the best shave ice in Hawaii which led me here. My husband and I shared: - The Local - The Kula Rainbow with Condensed Milk The flavors of the Kula Rainbow were my favorite, but I loved the Haupia Cream top on the local. That kind of topping is less common from what I've seen. This is the best shave ice I've had on the Hilo side of the island and I'll definitely be back next time I visit Hawaii.

    Custom shave ice. Lilikoi honey/white pineapple (seasonal) with coconut condensed milk
    Joey T.

    The shave ice was nice! I feel like the shave ice was less fine/more course than what I've had on Oahu, but maybe that's the BI's style? Flavors were great! Really enjoyed to coconut condensed milk. However, I did order mine with ice cream inside, but they forgot that, so was a bit bummed by that. But that didn't impact the taste at all! Very busy with a decent line, so understandable that it could've gotten missed. Mahalo!

    The big island love
    Ashley F.

    Kula Shave Ice has been and still is my favorite shave ice place of all time. Unlike most stores, Kula makes their own flavor syrups from scratch, giving it bold and authentic flavors vastly superior to mass produced artificial ones. I am sad to see their non-fruit based flavors no longer offered (like golden milk/tumeric) but happy that this business was booming with locals and tourists alike. Highly recommend Kula Shave Ice as the best shave ice location in the state.

    Exterior
    Ariel C.

    GREAT shaved ice spot. It was crowded on a Friday around noon, but great vibes! Very casual, right next to the farmers market so there's a lot of nearby seating and a restroom as well. Lots of flavors and topping options! Regular size with two flavors was $9. Loved the haupia cream as an additional topping for $2. The POG was a great flavor. The flavors were really strong and saturated, one of the best shaved ice we had on the big island!

    Kathy T.

    Of all the shave Ice, kula was my favorite. My kids talk about the quality and texture of ice--for me it's all about flavor and great local choices. I shared an Ube and guava--both flavors tasted natural and fresh, plus the mochi AND the haupia topping just made a delectable dessert. And to boot, Hilo farmers market right there! Lots of covered seating around the area too.

    This shave ice shop is the best one I've been to in Hawaii so far! The flavors are made with real, natural fruit, and the ice is incredibly light and fluffy. They also offer a kamaʻāina discount, which is a nice bonus. I absolutely loved this place and will definitely be back!

    Kathleen Q.

    Hands down my favorite shave ice spot!! Their flavors taste so much better because it's derived from REAL fruit. And they also do a diligent job at making sure the syrup is coated throughout the shave ice so there's no dry spots. Highly recommend!!!!

    Naomi W.

    I had to circle around to find street parking. Customer service was good. All the girls working were kind and helpful. It was too busy when we got there so service was fast. Seating was outside. We got the Kula rainbow and pins colada slush float.

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    Kula Shave Ice Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kula Shave Ice

    When are you going to open a new location in Kailua Kona?

    Has the Oahu north shore place reopened? I know it left Farm to Barn in Haleiwa and was briefly open in Waialua... it's our favorite shave ice on the island-- we are hoping it is open again

    Aloha Paula The Haleiwa crew have had trouble finding a permanent spot for the trailer, but they have something in the works now and will announce it as soon as it’s set in… 

    Are there dairy free options? What about gluten-free options?

    Yes! We offer gluten free granola for our açaí bowls. Though we are not a dedicated or certified gluten free kitchen, almost everything on our menu is made without gluten. With the exception of condensed milk and some ice creams, everything is… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    4.5
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    Came to hilo for a short day trip, and decided to check out the matcha coffee shops in the area…read more Coffee girl is so aesthetically pleasing! They had cute chairs and ig post worthy wall backgrounds. I love how everything is PINK! The service was very fast, maybe took 3 minutes to make. My strawberry oat matcha was delicious, but I did see they had some baked goods but opted out this visit. Will come back again soon!

    Coffee Girl is no doubt one of the coffee spots Hilo can boast about although it wasn't super…read moreimpressive in my opinion. This, however, is not to say that it doesn't have charms in it. Mostly in mint color, the interior is simple and yet it does emit a lot of cuteness. What was eye catching to us was the swing inside at one of the side windows. Whether it's okay for a person to actually sit on it to enjoy a little swing time is something I didn't find out from the young lady who manned the upfront bar by herself, if it's solely as a decorative piece to create the kind of ambiance this place suits to manifest, it does do a lot to attract visitors' attention. The lady was quiet and yet kind enough to give us everything we needed for the late morning walk into the town. My daughter and I wanted to split quads of espresso shots so that was our only order and yet we needed two separate cups with lots of ice in each cup with a little side cream (half and half) so we could make our own iced latte or cappuccino later (we didn't want ice immediately after the espresso was made as it would have diluted the coffee had it been made that way. Sounded like it was a little too much to ask which we felt a bit awkward. The kind lady simply did everything for us. Thanks to her for being so accommodating to our demanding needs!!) The shop is located from other businesses oceanfront so it's walkable to other things as long as you are talking "the center of Hilo". So for the location, convenience, cute ambiance and patience in service, we enjoyed our quick pick up experience while we were in town.

    Photos
    Cute sitting area!
    Cute sitting area!
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    Cute sign
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    Just Cruisin Coffee

    Just Cruisin Coffee

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    10/10 always a must have whenever I'm in Hilo! I always get a peanut butter frappe my favorite!!…read moreAnd a bagel breakfast sandwich! Something about the combo and it being from just cruising it just feels like home in a sense. Also the drive thru aspect is so fun. The baristas/servers are always so nice and have a smile. Can't be in Hilo without just cruising coffee. Also the signature whip cream makes my heart happy.

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    Just Cruisin Coffee
    Fresh mango smoothie!
    Fresh mango smoothie!
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    Iced Mac nut latte
    Two Ladies Kitchen

    Two Ladies Kitchen

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    Finally got to try Two Ladies Kitchen and they didn't disappoint... there's definitely a reason…read morepeople line up to buy! I knew there might be a line so I planned ahead and placed a phone order. There's a separate line of phone orders too which was really nice. But if you wait in line they do come out with samples - just saying. Also they have pre-packaged mochi packs - which make great gifts. I bought a bunch of mochi to take home to mainland (I froze it after buying) and took it to my parents house where we cut 10 pieces into 3 pieces to do a mochi tasting. Honestly all of them were great, but top 3 were: - shiso - I didn't know what to expect, but the flavors works so well together. Such a unique combo, with subtle shiso flavor! Highly recommend. - kamato - I didn't know if I'd like it so only got one piece.. after trying I wish I had more. - peach - this is my perfect mochi. The white filling just works and it's not too sweet. I know the strawberry is their #1 seller so I tried it and it's really good, it was maybe my 5th favorite of the mochis tried. All in all a great mochi shop that's I'll definitely visit again!

    Never have I ever tried mochi with a fresh fruit filled center so if you haven't either, then Two…read moreLadies Kitchen is a must stop if you're visiting Hilo. The mochi is made fresh daily, and it's highly encouraged to place an advance phone order prior to pickup so the shop can manage the high demand. The space at the front counter is very limited, so expect a wait outside to order and/or pickup. Their fruits menu changes seasonally, so we just had to try 1 of each item: - Strawberry - Mandarin Orange - D'anjou Pear - Bing Cherry - Green Grape - Cotton Candy Grape - Nectarine - Strawberry Short Cake We also had to order their Peach and Lilikoi flavors. Everything was so pillowy soft and mochi-licious!

    Photos
    Fruit mochi - Cherry Mochi, Rainier Cherry Mochi, Mandarin Orange Mochi, Grape Mochi, Peach Mochi, Strawberry Mochi, Li Hing Mui Apple Mochi
    Fruit mochi - Cherry Mochi, Rainier Cherry Mochi, Mandarin Orange Mochi, Grape Mochi, Peach Mochi, Strawberry Mochi, Li Hing Mui Apple Mochi
    For a limited time their new li hing mui apple mochi!
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    Butter Mochi, Lilikoi Mochi, Kamato Mochi, Nantu Mochi, Shiso Mochi, Azuma Yaki Manju, Furusato Manju, Okinawan Sweet Potato Mochi
    Puna Chocolate Company

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    Puna Chocolate Company is one of my favorite local chocolate artisan shops, conveniently located in…read moreDowntown Hilo. Since my time away, they have beautifully renovated the interior to have a sit-down booth area. I love the abundance of nene decor honoring our state bird, along with high quality chocolates made in Hawaii. The store clerk was very knowledgeable and described how each cultivars of chocolate differ in their taste profiles. We had the horchata 50% milk chocolate bar, and I don't have a picture because we devoured it in one sitting! Overall, Puna Chocolate Co. is an elegant, delightful, and elevated experience that rivals big names like Big Island Candies and Dandelion Chocolates in San Francisco. Highly recommend in stopping by!

    I stopped by Puna Chocolate Company for an afternoon coffee and ordered an espresso. It wasn't…read moreterribly busy in the store so my drink was prepared in minutes. The espresso was strong, not overwhelmingly bitter, and had a good consistency to it. While sitting at the bar, I noticed that they had a Day Drink menu with a bunch of coffee and chocolate cocktails, including an espresso martini and a cacao old fashioned. For $14 and $13 respectively, these seemed like very reasonable prices. Definitely something I'll check out on my next visit. On the right side of the store is a gift shop, while the left side has a bunch of seating for patrons. I noticed there were a few people here with their laptops out, so I can only assume it's also a good place to work as well. The store seemed pretty quiet, street parking outside was easy, and the staff I interacted with here was friendly. Puna Chocolate Company is a good rest spot to stop by to escape from the busyness of Downtown Hilo.

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    Entry to Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe
    Entry to Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe
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    Kula Shave Ice - shavedice - Updated August 2026

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