After spending time exploring the Hawaiian Islands, nothing sounds better than cold and refreshing shave ice. Shave ice came to the Hawaiian Islands thanks to Japanese sugar cane workers. On their day off, Sunday, the workers would treat themselves to shave ice. In the 1950s, the local Hawaiian keiki (kids) discovered this cool and refreshing treat and made it a daily refreshment. Mr. Matsumoto, the Father of Shave Ice, had a small shop in Haleiwa on Oahu, which is still there. Today, shave ice is still very popular with locals and tourists. The famously delicious Uncle’s Shave Ice has several locations, with one in Lihue in Hokulei Village near Dominos.
There are many ways to eat shave ice and you can let your imagination run wild. Feel like a kid again comparing tongue colors and creating wacky combinations. Shave ice at Uncle’s Shave Ice is available in small or large and you get to choose three syrup flavors.
Available syrup flavors at Uncle’s Shave Ice include watermelon, vanilla, tiger’s blood, tangerine, strawberry colada, strawberry, rootbeer, raspberry, pink lemonade, pineapple, pina colada, peach, passion nut, melon, mango, lychee, lilikoi, li hing hui, lime, lemon/lime, lemon, gummy bear, guava, green apple, green tea, grape, creamsicle, cotton candy, coconut, cherry, bubblegum, blue Hawaiian, birthday cake, and banana.
Shave snow, which is ice cream, water, and syrup frozen and then shaved, is also available. Choose from a single with one flavor or a double with two flavors. Available flavors include birthday cake, coconut, creamsicle, melon, strawberry, or vanilla.
Snow pops are a new addition to the menu at Uncle’s Shave Ice. These yummy tubes of goodness come in the same flavors as shave snow but are portable and easy for the kids to handle.
Add a little something extra to your shave ice, shave snow, or honey toast with overs and unders. For overs, choose from a cream cap, haupia cap, li hing mui powder, sour spray, caramel sauce, or chocolate sauce. For under, choose from azuki beans, vanilla ice cream, macadamia nut ice cream, strawberries, or pineapple.
In addition to the frozen items on the menu, there are other sweet treats available at Uncle’s Shave Ice, which includes:
Honey toast with vanilla ice cream
Like a waffle full of ice cream, honey toast may cause your daily calorie count to climb, but it’s so worth it.
Hawaiian honey toast with macadamia nut ice cream
This unique offering is made of Hawaiian sweet bread that is buttered and toasted with the center cut out into small squares. Local honey is then poured all over it, whipped cream is added to the corners, and macadamia nut ice cream is placed in the middle. It is heavenly.
Caramel apples
Caramel apples with almonds
Caramel apples with chocolate
Caramel apples with chocolate and almonds
Frozen chocolate banana
Frozen chocolate banana with almonds
The atmosphere at Uncle’s Shave Ice is cute and clean and there is an outdoor space to sit and enjoy your treats. Ask about sugar-free syrups if you need that option. There are so many different flavors and types of treats here, you can try something different each time you visit.
Insider Tip:
Ask for an Uncle’s Best Customer Card. Get one punch for every $3 spent. Once the card is full, you can receive one free food item up to a $9 value. If you come for shave ice often on your trip, you could earn yourself a free treat.