Aoki's Shave Ice

(Dined 05/21/23 SU @ 4:30pm): Was I going to be cake-faced at Aoki's Shave Ice!?A friend and I enjoyed a lazy Sunday afternoon in Hale'iwa Town, and eventually we made our way to Aoki's Shave Ice before we left. Full disclosure, we each ate a large shave ice at the world-famous Matsumoto's Shave Ice earlier in the day. But no, that wasn't enough as we wanted more to end our day here. This family business has been around for over 40 years with no end in sight even though they had a competitor steps away. Was their shave ice more than "A" OK!?PURCHASESmall Shave Ice - Guava/Mango/Ube Flavors + Macadamia Nut Ice Cream ($4.00 + $2.00): Wonderfully sweet tropical flavors with some distinction among each one, the shave ice was fluffy and light, while the scoop of ice cream at the bottom stayed cold and nearly frozen until I got to it. The syrups mixed well as they made their way down. This was a lovely way to bookend an afternoon of shave ice albeit a massive sugar high was waiting for me and possibly a diabetic shock! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=J7L_G1EwNALFR9dgUmQZqQSERVICESince the line was long when we arrived, we had plenty of time to decide what we wanted. Once we got to the front counter and placed our order, our shave ice were ready within five minutes. We then found a place to enjoy our treat, and everything was golden; easy-peasy - mahalo!PARKING (FREE)Earlier, we easily parked in the lot next to Hale'iwa Beach Park and then walked back into town as we explored around. Otherwise, if you were lucky you found a spot along the main drag of Hale'iwa Rd. or one of the few lots - "nuff said.ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCEA shack with an order counter and menus https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=yxb859WKPKWDtWNvV5mEfA behind it up on the wall, there was an outdoor dining area https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=2j-9Db3NpEKIsWMNAooEgw filled with benches/tables and a nearby photo-op corner https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=qe5BCXaw8Jw9PFeTFFFYLA for your social media accounts. Obviously, there was plenty of natural lighting since everything was outside, but I didn't see any electric lights when the sun went down. There were no TVs while conversations filled in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=hw3cubyxlv3561b8XtZbDQATTIRETotally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.OVERALLAoki's Shave Ice was a fun experience, and there certainly was enough room for two shave ice businesses in town. Mind you, although I've gone to Matsumoto's Shave Ice for decades, apparently I've never made it far enough to this place, which was a shame. The prices were comparable (I felt a tick above Matsumoto's), everything tasted wonderful, and the service was efficient. Plus, I always preferred to support small mom & pop businesses. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $6.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, there was no need for funds of any kind which included my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

Out of the two shaved ice shops in the area, Aoki's is our preferred! Shorter lines, homemade syrups, and ice cakes! Our local colleagues also much prefer Aoki's.All the flavors are great and toppings are good as well. I am partial to anything with li hing mui so that's what I gravitate towards! There is a small seating area with snow cone stands as well to make for easier eating, especially for kids.We also really like the ice cakes they sell at the retail store at the front. Ice cake is essentially ice + ice cream that's blended together. Lots of flavors, and eeally good for car rides if you don't want to risk a messy ride.

Must try, Hawaiis famous shaved ice. They are serious are this shaved ice with plenty of flavoring syrup options and toppings - we got the mochi toppings which was chewy and soft. It comes in an upside down umbrella cup so the juices don't fall everywhere. There's plenty of spoons and straws to share. At the tables, there's shaved ice cup holder and a rag to wipe up the table when you're done. They really thought of everything for the perfect shaved ice experience!

Everytime I come to Aoki's I don't understand why the line for Matsumoto's is so long. Aoki's is so good - quality, value, vibe. The small portion is huge and it comes in the classic shave ice style in a cone. It's such a nice place to sit and relax and enjoy your shave ice. Highly recommend.

My husband and I visited Aoki's Shave Ice for the first time, and we were blown away! The line at Matsumoto Shave Ice was so long it looked like it stretched all the way back to the mainland, so we decided to try this amazing place instead, and we're so glad we did.The ambiance at Aoki's is vibrant and welcoming, making it the perfect spot to cool off. The shave ice was incredible - I had my favorite combination with a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the bottom, a hint of vanilla and coconut on top, and a drizzle of creamy condensed milk. It was absolutely delicious.The staff were super friendly and made us feel right at home. We couldn't have asked for a better experience.If you're looking for flavorful and refreshing shave ice, Aoki's Shave Ice is the place to go. Highly recommend!

So delicious. Aoki's shave ice is some of the best on the island. The flavors were rich and amazing the ice was shaved thin. The creaminess of the ice cream was great! Reasonable price.I tried lilikoi, guava and pineapple. All great flavors especially the guava and lilikoi. Highly recommend.

Located right across from the main shopping area in Haleiwa town, Aoki's Shave Ice is a spot you can't miss if you're craving an authentic Hawaiian treat. Nestled next to a shop filled with trinkets and cute gifts, Aoki's offers more than just delicious shave ice; it provides a full local experience.The shave ice here is top-notch, with a solid selection of flavors and a price point that leaves you feeling great about your choice. What really sets Aoki's apart, though, is its thoughtful setup. The shop features convenient little stands at the tables in front of the restaurant where you can place your shave ice. This simple yet ingenious addition means you can enjoy your icy treat hands-free, making it easier to share with friends and family without anyone getting sticky hands.An unexpected and delightful aspect of Aoki's is the local wildlife--beautiful, green lizards that scamper across the walls and among the plants. These lizards are not only a unique attraction but some of the most beautiful I've seen anywhere in Hawaii, and that's saying something coming from a local.Every visit to Aoki's is a reminder of the simple pleasures of life in Hawaii. Whether it's the excellent shave ice, the charming surroundings, or the unique wildlife, Aoki's Shave Ice is definitely on my list for a repeat visit whenever I'm in the mood for a sweet, frosty treat.

Matsumoto's was closed so we came to Aoki's. What a wonderful surprise! The flavors are great, and the texture of the ice very soft as well. It honestly felt more local to me than any other place I'd been to in Haleiwa. I'd already had my fair share of shave ice during my trip, but this one stands as my favorite by a country mile.

Very fast service and it's pretty cheap for shaved ice. It's pretty basic, classic shaved ice. They have a plentiful variety of syrup flavors and i liked that they have preset flavor combos as well. It's a little hard to find as it's tucked in a corner behind a store.

Haven't been here in years. Last time we were here was across the street in their old location. I love their shave ice. The ice machine that they use produces such a fine texture that it melts smoothly in your mouth. Their recipe for the syrups are onolicous, Not to sweet but just right. That the combination when combined is perfection.Their service is great. Come on over when you are in the old Haleiwa Town .Support Local!!!!!!!!