Kula Shave Ice
About
A Refreshing Taste of Hilo
When the humidity hits high gear in East Hawaii, there is one non-negotiable stop for locals and visitors alike. Kula Shave Ice offers a masterclass in texture, trading away the crunchy, jagged ice of the past for a snow-like consistency that melts the moment it hits your tongue. Located right in the heart of Hilo, this spot has turned the simple act of a frozen treat into a refined craft.
Handcrafted Syrups and Fresh Local Fruit
Forget the neon-colored, overly chemical syrups you might find elsewhere. Here, the focus is on house-made, fruit-forward syrups that highlight the bounty of the Big Island. You will catch the unmistakable scent of fresh lilikoi and sweet strawberry as you approach the window. Their signature bowls are topped with generous drizzles of sweetened condensed milk or a velvety coconut cream foam that adds just the right amount of richness to cut through the tartness of the tropical fruit.
The Local Pulse
Expect a laid-back, open-air experience where you can listen to the ambient sounds of Hilo town while you wait for your order. It is a casual, walk-up environment that perfectly captures the unpretentious spirit of the island. Be prepared for a short line during the mid-afternoon heat, and keep in mind that parking in this historic district can be a bit of a game of musical chairs. Whether you are grabbing a quick break from exploring the nearby botanical gardens or cooling off after a morning at the farmers market, Kula Shave Ice serves as the ultimate refresher. It is the kind of place that reminds you why you came to Hawaii in the first place—simple, fresh, and authentically local.
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Amenities & Features
Location
57 Mamo St, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720-2952
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Reviews
Showing 9 of 89 community reviewsLaura FaithGoogle Maps
Recently
BEST Shaved ice!!! My kid and I LOVED the shaved ice i wish we were staying on the hilo side because everywhere we tried like geco girlz never even came close to this place!!! And the ladies were fabulous and so friendly!! My 3yr old who is picky also devoured this shaved ice
vidyasagar duvvuruGoogle Maps
Recently
We had an amazing experience at Kula Shave Ice! The Kula Rainbow was incredibly refreshing with perfect fruity flavors, and the shaved ice was so soft and fluffy. We also tried the Vietnamese cold coffee — it was rich, bold, and perfectly sweet. Everything tasted delicious, and it made our day extra special. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area! 🌈☕
AaronGoogle Maps
Recently
Fantastic, authentic, made from scratch, shaved ice. A true Hawaiian original. If you’re looking for something with bright food coloring and artificial flavors keep walking. A good dessert that you can feel good about eating!
Ed BonserGoogle Maps
Recently
Good Shave Ice but not the best. For one no chocolate options. The ice was compact and firm, had to use spoon like an ice pick and ice cream was a small scoop. My dreamsicle was very sweet with tons of sugar. I'll go back though to try other flavors and granola bowls.
Jacqueline TelljohannGoogle Maps
Recently
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.
Robin WangGoogle Maps
Recently
We weren’t too impressed by the shave ice when we were at Maui Island; however we decided to take another chance when our fellow travelers strongly recommended this shop. They were not wrong about the fresh and natural ingredients, no artificial flavors or color but real stuff! We enjoyed very much and totally restored our confidence on shave ice! $9 with one to two flavors, and our choice was guava and ube (sweet potato) cream, yummy!
Sarah BaileyGoogle Maps
Recently
Best shave ice we've ever had. A little spendy but worth it for the quality of ingredients that they use! Love all their special flavors and hope to try them all before we have to leave the island.
Melissa McClain-LewisGoogle Maps
Recently
Yum! What a great afternoon treat & friendly/quick service. Just what we needed-we actually got an iced coffee, chocolate ice cream & piña colada slushie. Lots to see & do in this area. Mahalo!
Janardhan Pala BushanamGoogle Maps
Recently
Kula Shave Ice sign board states that they have been operational since 1936. Their USP: organically-grown and locally-sourced fruit, organic cane sugar, ultra-filtered water. They freeze hundreds of water buckets every week using pure water. There by they claim to control the quality of the ice. Most of the toppings and ice creams are prepared in-house. My Grand Daughter thoroughly enjoyed the shave ice of Kula
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kula Shave Ice
Common questions from diners about Kula Shave Ice in Hilo.
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