Kula Shave Ice
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My first time having shave ice... and it was incredible!! I love that Kula makes their own syrups - all homemade! This spot was packed and for good reason!
The best shaved ice I've ever had. Food 5/5 The Lava Flow is absolutely to die for. The haupia cream and lilikoi butter at the top with the strawberry infused ice was like heaven. The textures were all there. Service 5/5 Standard, nothing special. Ambiance 3/5 Outdoor seating area for all of the restaurants in the area. It was pretty crowded and the area isn't that clean. There's also lots of horseflies.
We were visiting the farmers market, and we decided to do a smoothie bowl here. At first, I wanted to do the shaved ice, but the call of a smoothie bowl was too much to ignore. They have an amazing menu for shaved ice! They also have a great selection for smoothie bowls. I was honestly impressed for a shaved ice place to have so many options for smoothie bowls. Anyway, the employee who took our order was very nice and efficient. We even had substitutions we requested, and she was super cool and nice about it all. The tables allow you to people watch since the tables are right in front of the café and next to the farmers market. Also, little birds were very interested in the area and potential snacks, so that was cute to watch! Our smoothie bowls were excellent! Honestly, now that I'm back across the pond, I'm seriously craving another! Wonderful flavor combinations and very fresh. I wish I would've tried their other creations, but that just means something to look forward to for next time!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Kula Shave Ice is easily the best place to get shave ice here on the Big Island. Their friendly customer service, great portion sizes and unique offerings using fresh local ingredients, make it the perfect spot to enjoy a taste of home here in Hawaii. My favorite flavors are the lava flow and Matcha with sweet beans! but when I'm not craving shave ice, my go to is their mana bowl- an açaí bowl with the best granola and peanut butter on top! It's SO GOOD! I highly recommend visiting
4 years ago
The shave ice here is delicious! They have really good local flavors and I love that you can get haupia cream as a topping. They also have good coffee and Slushie drinks if you want something for on the go! The staff is friendly. The prices are a little bit high, but it's worth it I think! There are some picnic tables out front that you can chill at. read more
STEPH JUDGEMENT: Some of the best shave ice ever! Wanted to check this place out based on a friend's rec and it did not disappoint. Located in downtown Hilo's farmer's market, they have a walk-up window and communal picnic table seating. I got The Local (Soursop and Lilikoi topped with Haupia cream) and the hubby got The Chocoholic (Cacao over mac nut ice cream, topped with chocolate shell and condensed milk--super decadent!). We really loved the fresh, natural flavors of our shave ice and are fans! Definitely a must-visit when in Hilo! read more
2 years ago
The best shaved ice I've had while in Hawaii! So sad I was only in Hilo for a day. Would absolutely go here all the time if I lived there!! read more
So so good! First time to Hilo and found this cute outdoor shave ice place right near the farmers market! So refreshing and light. Never had shave ice before and I am definitely a fan! We got one big island love and one hala ice and both were great! Highly recommend!! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
This place was nice with a very nice staff. After a long drive we decided to stop by for some shave ice. They did a half and half for us which consisted of half blueberry and half orange with pineapple ice cream in the middle. It was so delicious and hit the spot on the hot day. This was also our first time there and we will definitely be back again. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
THE BEST shaved ice we had on this island. The ice was soft, the flavors were great, and the Mac nut ice cream was made with vanilla bean!! If I was staying around the area, I would go there every day!! read more
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Tiffany G.
Thanks so much Shirlyn! We appreciate you!…
2 years ago
Some good shave ice after a hot day exploring the caves. Definitely stop in and try it out! read more
3 years ago
Service was great! We had some questions and they were patient and answered each question without any issues. The shaved ice taste amazing and I highly recommend the coconut cream on it! The one thing I would NOT suggest is the Vietnamese iced coffee. It was not good and extremely sweet. Did not taste like Vietnamese coffee at all. We were too shy to say anything but one sip, and in the trash. But shaved ice, yes! read more
Business owner information
Tiffany G.
Aloha Jennifer! Thanks so much! So glad to hear you enjoyed the shave…
7 months ago
1 year ago
This is refreshing, but would take out. Would not recommend eating on patio. Shares with restaurant and can be crowded with unusual aromas. read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
Tiffany G.
Thank you Matt!!
2 years ago
The ice itself is very fine and soft, the flavors are fresh and super good, and the mochi and ice cream were high quality--there are no words to describe the deliciousness! read more
Business owner information
Tiffany G.
Thanks so much for your kindness Kara! We appreciate you and hope to…
2 years ago
Great shaved ice! Both flavors were delicious. There's a bunch of benches available to the side to sit and eat. Will definitely come again! read more
3 years ago
Oh man so good!!! And I typically don't like shaved ice!!! A lot of shaved ice that I'm used to is so slushy and icy, just tastes like fine chunks of ice. Gritty and hard to actually enjoy. HOWEVER- Hawaiian shaved ice has open my eyes- well specifically here at Kula :-). Visiting from California, the ice is so smooth and fluffy it really is unlike anything I've had in the states. We had the Local (Soursop + Lilikoi ice with the Haupia cream), easily a 5/5. The Haupia cream is the best little addition to it; the fruitiness from the ice with the nuttiness from the cream is amazing. I don't like to overhype a place up, but I really think you can't go wrong with getting a pretty solid shaved ice experience at Kula! **I've had a couple of other shaved ice places on Big Island, and none of them compared to Kula btw !!! ** read more
Business owner information
Tiffany G.
Thank you so much for your awesome review Brian! Hope to see you…
1 year ago
Delicious! They are a little pricey for shaved ice, but you can tell their syrup is made from authentic fruits, some locally grown. It's not your typical sugary syrup. Definitely the flavors of Hawaii. The ice is finely shaved and melt in your mouth. The haupia cream on the top is delicious! There is plenty of street parking and a small gravel parking lot in the back. It's located across the street from the Hilo Farmers Market, so plenty to see when you're done eating. They have lots of sitting space outside. The service was quick and the staff were friendly. Will definitely be back! read more
We came here based off a recommendation we got from our zip line guide. We ended up getting the Lava Flow and really loved it! The strawberry actually tasted like it was made from fresh strawberries and wasn't artificial which was so good! Also the haupia cream was soooooo freaking delicious! I loved that it was like a whipped cream and not just a thin drizzle. If we ever visit the Big Island again, we'll definitely be back! read more
Business owner information
Tiffany G.
Mahalo for your review Hannah!
This is what it's about! Came here because it was close and had good reviews and it did not disappoint! It's a small little place, order/pick up at window, with picnic benches. Friendly service! Very vegan friendly, with coconut milk and ice cream! The ice cream in the middle makes the difference! So good! Definitely recommend! read more
Business owner information
Tiffany G.
Thanks so much for your support Patrick! We really appreciate it!…
2 years ago
We were looking for shave ice on our way to the Volcano National Park. We decided to take a break from our drive at Hilo and found this spot next to a farmer's market. The ice is smooth and the flavors were good. read more
Delicious cool treat! We stopped by Kula after visiting the Hiko Farmers Market on a Sunday and sure glad we did! It was already hot and this was the perfect treat to cool down.I love they use organic fruit and organic cane sugar for their fruit syrups instead of the high-fructose syrups that many Shave Ice stands use. And you can taste the difference! I chose Likiloi and Guava which was wonderful. My wife chose Soursop and Coconut which were also very good. Highly recommend you enjoy a Shave Ice from Kula when visiting Hilo. read more
2 years ago
The Guava Lava was amazing! Good amount for syrup topped with the haupia cream and lilikoi butter. My husband had the Mango shave Ice with macnut Ice cream and he enjoyed it. Definitely a must have when you're in Hilo read more
Perfect for a hot day! You can choose a preset combo or make your own. Quality was good bc the flavors/syrup went all the way through. It was just enough and there were no plain ice spots. There's a short line but it goes quick and they were pretty quick getting your order made as well. read more
10 months ago
5 years ago
MENU AND FOOD: They offer a list of shave ice flavors, toppings and fillings! SERVICE AND ATMOSPHERE: Service is quick and friendly. They have a few tables for outdoor seating. PARKING: They have street parking only. IMPRESSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: We had their regular size shave ice with guava and soursop flavors, haupia cream and macadamia ice cream, which was super delicious! Their flavors are excellent and pair well with their haupia cream and macadamia ice cream, which has nuts within. We wish we had time to go back a second time! read more
We came to this place on a weekday noon for lunch. This is a quaint place near the Hilo Farmer's Market. There was a bit of a wait and line to order and get our food. One thing to note is that there's only outdoor dining available here. We ordered The Local with the Poi add-on (+$2). Overall, it was delicious and tasted fresh - the Soursop and Lilikoi (passion fruit) was tangy and mixed well with the slightly sweeter Haupia cream (coconut whipped cream) topping. At the bottom was our Waipio Poi filling, which we added as an add-on. It was tangy and slightly sweet, which was the perfect combination to the shave ice flavors. Price-wise, it was a bit on the pricer end but reasonable given the larger portion size and location on a slightly touristy and popular street. Overall, definitely enjoyed eating the food here and definitely recommend it! read more
Business owner information
Tiffany G.
Thank you so much for your great review!! So glad you liked the poi!…
2 years ago
We came from Kona and Kula Shaved Ice was a must-stop for us and it more than lived up to the hype. I got the Kula Rainbow that had three flavors on top of vanilla ice cream and I was shocked at how perfectly they paired together. It was the perfect cold treat to enjoy in the heat. They also have a bunch of benches to sit and eat. If you are in the area, it is worth it to go, plus you can check out the farmers market afterward. Service was also great and after ordering, we got a buzzer that told us when our food was ready! read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
Very good shaved ice. Never had with the added condensed milk on it I got the pineapple coconut one. Can't remember the name. It had coconut pineapple ice with coconut condensed milk on top and also fresh pineapple chunks. Very good. Big size for $12. read more
2 years ago
Best shaved ice on the island - sooooo good we have to have it twice! Great selection and service! read more
More info about Kula Shave Ice
57 Mamo St
Hilo, HI 96720
Directions
(808) 431-7166
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http://www.kulashaveice.com
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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…
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