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Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
Category: Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt [Edit]
815 Front StLahaina, HI 96761
(360) 606-2745
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
450 reviews for Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
Review Highlights
"You're the cherry on top for my awesome Maui trip."
(in 165 reviews)
"Love the Li Hing Mui and Tamarind flavors."
(in 28 reviews)
"Mac Nut is very good with real pieces stirred in."
(in 26 reviews)
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450 reviews in English
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Review from Eric O.
Woodside, NY
1/24/2012
I didn't think it was possible, but Ululani's shave ice is better than Waiola Market on O'ahu, which in my book makes it the best. The difference between Waiola and Ululani's is that the latter gives you more ice, and the syrup goes all the way through. And if you have any pockets of unsoaked ice, they'll gladly give you more syrup. The staff was really friendly and engaging, asking about our visit, and not in that fake sort of way that I find typical of touristy places. The owner even came out to our table and chatted for a while. The shop is located right across the street from the water in a kinda dated marketplace that took me back to how Lahaina was when I was a kid visiting relatives.
I stuck with my usual boring flavor of vanilla (OK, so I'm not one for the exotic flavors of Hawaii) with condensed milk, and it didn't disappoint in any way. This place really hit the spot after a long day of driving, playing tourist, and whale watching. Ululani's is definitely going to be a must on all my future visits to Lahaina, and while there are a number of other places on the west side of Maui to get shave ice, without trying the others, I can say without hesitation that I can't imagine a better place for this local Hawaiian desert than Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice. -
Review from jocelin p.
Aliso Viejo, CA
1/13/2012
like everyone else before me has said....best shaved ice ever!
i had to make a mental note to ask for light syrup next time though - i found it a bit too sweet for my taste (but that's because i don't do sweets often) - but other than that, a MUST while you're in lahaina!
oh, and if you're having your own, ask for the micro size. it's still PLENTY for one person... -
Review from rachel s.
Sacramento, CA
1/10/2012
holy shaved ice! we have hit the motherlode...
absolutely the best shaved ice ever -- i had the coconut, pineapple, banana with coconut ice cream in the bottom. my honey had the Local Motion which had Mango, Li Hing Mui, Pineapple - topped with Li Hing Mui Powder. you can add all sorts of toppings on them - a foodie girls dream!
so creamy and delish -- perfect texture on the ice -- quality fresh house made syrups make all of the difference. she even has sugar free ones if you so desire.
already plotting what i will get the next time! -
Review from Lei B.
I loved this place! The shaved ice was so light and fluffy! The flavors I picked were strawberry, mango, and lychee with macadamia nut ice cream. My only regret was forgetting to add the mochi! The girl helping us at the counter was so friendly also, I had to give her a nice tip just for that. Luckily there was absolutely no line when we came here. This is a must stop if you're in the area.
Listed in: Damn another cavity?!?, Wowee Maui!
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Review from Vu N.
Houston, TX
2/8/2012
Believe the hype, this place is the TRUTH!!!! I have nothing new to add about this place.....
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Review from Lauren S.
Los Angeles, CA
2/3/2012
Ululani's is the BEST!! growing up on Maui, i had my fair share of shave ice! when the hubby and i were back on Maui visiting my family, we stopped by Ululani's. From the syrups, to the ice texture, to the soft mochi (from Maui Specialty Chocolates!), my shave ice was perfect. Couple that with amazing, friendly service (they were so nice that my husband thought we all knew each other!) and free li hing mui powder, and Ululani's is unbeatable!!!
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Review from Rach K.
1/9/2012 4 photos
Yum!!
Shave ice was one of the things on our list of MUST EATS in Maui so I did lots of research and found Ululani's to be the most popular. So while killing time in Lahaina before the Old Lahaina Luau, we came here and indulged in the most amazing frozen treat I've ever had. I don't have much of sweet tooth and I'm not the hugest fan of ice cream but I think I'll have to stop saying that because shave ice is too amazing.
It was a treat to watch the workers making it, from shaving the bit block of ice to shaping the snowball, poking the holes, and pouring on the syrup. The syrups are all fresh and homemade and aren't artificial. They also have homemade mochi which they rip up and toss in the bottom of your bowl, if you like that, and a few toppings. I love the sno-cap topping (which they let us taste for free). You can even get ice cream in the bottom.
Coconut is by far my favorite flavor. -
Review from Emma N.
Irvine, CA
2/8/2012
Love it! Tried few shave ice in Maui and this is my top choice!
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Review from Jennifer J.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2012
Ululani's shave ice is stellar. I grew up eating great shave ice, and hands down this is the best shave ice I've ever had. Great shave ice is all about light and fluffy ice and high quality syrup. Ululani's has both and fantastic service too! Each syrup has been tested and developed by the owner, so you can't get these exact (delicious and refreshing) flavors anywhere else.
Ululani's is so good, I literally drove from North Ka'anapali to Lahaina 3 times. I ate Ululani's shave ice for my dessert one night, for lunch on another and for appetizers before heading over to Lahaina Grill for dinner.
My favorite: pineapple, strawberry, lilikoi with vanilla ice cream. -
Review from Eric M.
Gilbert, AZ
12/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I'm going to have to agree with the 300+ reviews that brought me to this tiny shack of sugary goodness. This place is awesome. I love me some sweets and is one of the best on the island to get it.
First of all, you can chose to have a scoop of ice cream on the bottom. Even though it's an option, don't let it be, get it every time. I recommend coconut ice cream.
Then comes the fun part, picking the flavors. You really can't go wrong on any flavor. Our first visit we did Mango and Lychee. The 2nd time we got the Haleakala which is one of several pre made mixes.
Once you got the flavors down, they take a block of ice and grind up the ice right there fresh in front of you, pretty awesome.
The staff are all what look to be high schoolers and are all friendly and personable. We chatted it up about the Arizona heat we left behind for Maui and how they all have solar electricity on their homes. They also let us know if the flavor runs out in the ice since it is piled sky high, come back to add more flavor. They also have a few chairs or tables you can chill at while you chill out with your Shave Ice. (Don't be that "white person" and call it Shaved Ice by the way)
So if you are on the island, plan to stop here at least once or twice. In downtown Lahaina on Front Street, they have 2 locations, one on each side of the street so you cant miss it. The ocean side of the road seems to be the original if you are going for the max authenticity. Don't worry about the line, there was always a small crowd but you move through quickly.
Aloha! -
Review from Olivia W.
Redondo Beach, CA
1/6/2012
This place is shaved ice heaven. Ululani's is the best shaved ice I've ever had. Period. I've had Matsumoto's and the other place in Oahu, I've even had Get Shaved in Los Angeles. But to date, no place compares to Ululani's.
First, the staff and owner are extremely friendly and helpful. They're always fun to talk to and are willing to explain and suggest flavors, toppings, etc.
Secondly, the combination of how Ululani's puts everything together is divine. The texture of the shaved ice = perfect. The homemade and natural flavors = incredible. the add-on's and toppings = so much fun and creates the best shaved ice combination.
I was in Maui for 6 days and my boyfriend and I visited Uluani's every day. My favorite flavors and combination was:
Guava
Passion Orange
Lilikoi
Lychee
Almond
with Vanilla or Mac Nut ice cream, topped with mochi balls and snow cap
It's amazing the number of reviews Uluani's has but the review's don't lie. This place is a must in Maui! -
Review from Eliza Z.
12/21/2011
We came here on our Maui vacation because this place is so highly recommended. And it was definitely worth it.
My experience with shaved ice is the stuff you get on the mainland, that weird chunky bits of ice covered in thick syrup that's crunchy and hard to eat. This, THIS is so different. It's soft, almost like ice cream, and man, they have a ton of flavors.
Definitely stop here while shopping in Lahaina, it's refreshing and delicious. -
Review from Jeremy L.
12/5/2011
The shave ice at Ululanis is consistently so smooth and unlike any other shave ice I've ever had. I've had it at least 2-3 times in the past 5 years, and it's always consistent.
It's a little more expensive than other places (i.e. Local Boys) but definitely worth a try if you've never tried it. They do charge you extra if you want to combo it with ice cream or snow cap. For quality of shave ice alone, I have to give them 5-stars. There's really nothing else you can complain about. -
Review from Kerri J.
Everett, WA
12/31/2011
OMG....holy mother of goodness. It is like eating the most decadent, creamy ice cream.
I never thought I liked shaved ice (I made the grave error of thinking they were like snow cones) but after trying Ululani's I could happily eat one of these every day for the rest of my life.
You HAVE to go here!!! -
Review from Roxanne R.
Chicago, IL
12/12/2011
If you could taste the rainbows in Hawaii, I think they would taste like Ululani's shave ice.
The ice from ululani's is so fine and soft. It makes the ice seem almost creamy. Also, unlike Matsumoto and most shave ice, Ululani doesn't use bottled sugar syrup to flavor their shave ice. They make their syrup with real fruit juices. It pretty much tastes magical.
The guys that worked at this Ululan's were super nice. They complimented my selection of peach, mango, coconut combination.
I highly, highly recommend Ululani's shave ice. It's a taste of heaven. -
Review from Joe C.
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
My most recommended place to visit by all my Maui-seasoned friends. And rightfully so!
Smooth, silky, sumptuously, sexy (ok maybe not) ice infused with delectably tasty flavors finished off by a burst of macnut ice cream can only be summed up as..BOOYAH.
It's just as good as people say it is and my only regret is that we didnt go more than once. =(
Ululani. Until we meet again. -
Review from Joy P.
South San Francisco, CA
1/29/2012
I'm not the biggest shave ice fan, but when on Maui, I just had to try Ululani's (5 stars out of 400+ reviews, hello?!). We were greeted very warmly by a guy originally from Boston and I asked him what their most popular flavors were. He said the Haleakala which has coconut, leche and the snow cap which is a creamy mixture of condensed milk. Not being a huge coconut fan I decided on the second popular which is The Sunset. That has guava, mango, and passion orange. I added mac nut ice cream on the bottom (BOMB) and the snow cap on top. This was amazing! The ice was so fluffy and the syrup wasn't overly sweet. The guava syrup was so fresh. It tasted like the actual fruit! You gotta get the mac nut ice cream! It was so creamy and it had chunks of macadamia nuts mixed in. Soooooo ono! The girl who put the syrup on top said to come back if I wanted more syrup, but it was just perfect. They have these cool holders to help you hold up your shave ice cone on your table. Will def be back on my next trip to Maui.
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Review from amanda v.
Vallejo, CA
11/15/2011
THE BEST SHAVE ICE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the haleakala.And the sunset beach.I should of got mac nut ice cream.The ice was soft and the syrups were thick an not so liquidy.I had one before I went home.Something to enjoy before going home.I would come here again if I went back to maui. -
Review from Sandy H.
Brookline, MA
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Let's just clear the air here. Ululani's shaved ice is NOT like the shaved ice you find on the mainland. The ice is finely shaved and the syrup is AMAZING. It tastes like real fruit.
I really wish we had tried this place out our first night in Maui and not our last. My husband was the reluctant one and didn't even want to walk by it, but after his first bite, he was hooked. The small is more than enough to split with a buddy, but you might want your own.
If you ever find yourself near one, do yourself a favor and try it. -
Review from Molly T.
11/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the best on the island!
Definitely try the Haleakala with the coconut-leche flavor topped with sweet condensed cream. Try it with the macadamia nut ice cream. The shaved ice is super soft! Great flavors that are not too sweet.
Try playing around with the flavors. You can't go wrong!
Staff is friendly and helpful.
Parking can be difficult as it is in the touristy area of Lahaina. Go at night when parking is bit better.
Don't forget the red velvet flavor!!!
I love this place!Listed in: Places to try in Maui
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Review from April O.
San Diego, CA
11/13/2011
OMG, shave ice heaven!
A friend recommended the "Broke Da Mouth" flavored shave ice. If you don't mind a little salty with a little sour and sweet, this one's for you. My mouth is seriously watering at the thought of it.
What a sweet spot for a sweet treat. Friendly staff.
Can we all just take a trip to Lahaina and skip work tomorrow??!! -
Review from Rajat S.
Jersey City, NJ
2/2/2012
Ok I will go out on a limb and day this is by far the best shaved ice around. Period.
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Review from Cee B.
I merely echo the near three hundred five-star reviews before me when I confirm this unassuming Shaved Ice hut run by jolly island boys churns out surprisingly good dive-y lunch items and shaved ice. You can also get ice cream under your shaved ice. It tucked away in a little dumpy strip mall area of Lahaina. They have some homemade syrup-drenched patio furniture you can sit on and eat there. I'm so tempted to say this place is cash only but I could be wrong. Just keep some around in case.
Shaved ice is such a personal thing, but I like half Pina Colada, half Tiger's Blood. Or half Coconut and Tiger's Blood. I think Tiger's Blood is a "suicide mix," if you will, of cherry, vanilla, and several other flavors. Admittedly, I just like ordering something called Tiger's Blood. It's self-affirming.Listed in: MAUI ME KRAZY, Tooth-Decaying Sweetz
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Review from Rhona J.
Palo Alto, CA
12/20/2011
When my family and I vacationed in Maui, we decided to try this place out to see the hype for ourselves. It is located in Front St, where everyone hangs out, so as expected, the line was long. It was a nice hot day in July, so it was a perfect treat. We ordered the Haleakala, Sunset Beach, and Lahaina. Highly recommend all of it! The ice was very smooth and powdery. I believe they make their own syrup and use real fruit juices, so it's not overly sweet like the other shave ice I've tasted. The staff are very friendly, too (but then again, I've never met anyone unfriendly in Hawaii - yet). Definitely will go back to Ululani's again when we go back to Maui!
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Review from Chester M.
Santa Clara, CA
1/2/2012
When at Lahaina you must get Ululani's shaved ice. This place makes their shaved ice with precision and care. They don't just shave the ice and pour syrup in. They make holes with a bamboo stick to make sure the syrup gets in the core of that soft shaved ice. I always get the Haleakala which is just heaven. Make sure you get it fully loaded with azuki beans and the ice cream. Get some Ululani's and go to the strip and enjoy the view.
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Review from jennifer L.
Los Angeles, CA
I just spent 30 minutes researching the Internet for Hawaiian shave ice machines. Then I realized, even if I spent the $$ to buy a machine, nothing can replicate the gourmet quality goodness of Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice (secret ingredient their homemade fresh syrups).
Ululani is the ultimate Ice Queen of the Shaved Ice Kingdom. For serious. My heart flutters just thinking about the finely shaved, powder, snow-like texture that gently melts once it hits my lips. And I love the homemade syrups made fresh from REAL local Hawaiian fruits (guava really tastes like guava, mango really tastes like mango, lilikoi really tastes like passion fruit, you get it right?) There are also awesome wacky flavors like cotton candy, tiger's blood, wedding cake)
My no-fail order is:
- Small size w/ haupia (coconut pudding ice cream in the center) and azuki beans (sweet red bean)
- Topped with my fav natural fruit syrup flavors: guava, mango, passion fruit and li hing mui (an acquired taste--tastes sweet and tangy)
- Once I get to the center surprise of coconut pudding ice cream, I soon start mixing everything and it turns into a delicious creamy and refreshing dessert.
Warning: So delicious it'll give you brain freeze. Savor it. -
Review from Daisy M.
Vallejo, CA
11/16/2011
LoveLoveLove.
-Haleakala is my fave. Try it with Mac Nut ice cream.
-The ice is very powdery and soft. Perfect. -
Review from Daniel S.
Katy, TX
12/19/2011
FORGET ABOUT IT!!! Don't waste your time at any other shaved ice place. You will be disappointed. This place makes them like non-other! The ice never loses its flavor like other shaved ice joints. EVERYTHING IS SOOOOOO GOOD!!!
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Review from Greg G.
Vancouver, WA
1/9/2012
Awesome! Nice folks, Da' best shave ice anywhere! The list of combinations of flavors is very helpful. Bet it speeds up the process, too!
Thanks from your friends from The Couv. -
Review from Kirk W.
Charlotte, NC
10/27/2011
Nothing to complain about here. We loved both our visits to Ululani's and can't wait to try again next time we're in Maui.
Staff was very friendly and gave us great recommendations based on what flavors we knew we liked. Definitely recommend the Lahaina combination and the Coconut Lovers combination. -
Review from Taylor K.
10/28/2011
I tried one for the first time ever and this place was awesome. The guy working there was funny and helpful.
I tried guava, mango and coconut. Mango is good, guava mediocre.
Coconut is the bomb!!! Make sure to get the macadamia ice cream.
It is so delis with chunks of nuts. I can't wait to go back and have it again. -
Review from Skip R.
Monticello, MS
1/3/2012
Guess what. Another 5 star rating. Ululani's is the BEST on any of the islands. We tried shave ice on 3 islands and this is the best. I will never visit Hawaii without making sure I have time to visit Ululani's on Maui. If I lived on Maui, I suppose a day wouldn't go by when I wouldn't try to find time to stop by here. We had so many, I have no idea what flavors we got. We just got what the server recommended each time. I wished I could remember the guy's name, because he was fantastic. I won't limit Ululani's to 5 stars, it could easily be a 20 star rated shave ice stand.
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Review from Margaret T.
San Jose, CA
12/16/2011
Now THIS is LEGIT shaved ice!! That's what I'm talking about! We live in Japantown in San Jose and have a small shop that's 75% of the way there. It's pretty good and will suffice for California, but Ululani's is "the one." I remember hitting up Matsumoto's and loving it too, but also not finishing it. Try it out when you're in Maui and you will not regret it. The go-to Sunset Beach was really good, as was my husband's Coconut Lovers. When we got our shaved ice and sat on the benches chillin', we turned so many heads and I was more than happy to show them the way to Ululani's. Don't look for a shop...look for a tiny sign overhead then walk on down. We were served by two girls who were super nice and chill. I only wish we went more than the one time during our stay!
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Review from Beth W.
Savoy, IL
10/9/2011
THIS IS AMAZING! If you are shopping on Front Street in Lahaina, you absolutely MUST stop!
I tried the Haleakela--coconut, leche, and topped with sweetened condensed cream. It was so good that we made it a point to go back a couple of days later and get it again!
It is like the softest snow with a creamy sweet topping. Oh golly....why doesn't Ululani's have a location in Illinois? I want one NOW! -
Review from Rob C.
9/28/2011
it's true. Ululani's is in a different category of shave ice. the purees/flavors they use are above and beyond just simple corn syrup, flavor and water. you can taste the robust, explosive, all natural, REAL fruit that makes their shave ice almost like a sorbet.
my wife and i were recently in maui and during a weeks stay, we stopped by here 4 times!! we also met the owner; super chill and humble dood. if any of the employees or the owner is reading this, i was the guy w/ the matsumoto tank top that y'all busted my balls for! haha
oh, and open up shop here on the mainland, preferably in the southbay area! -
Review from Dee C.
10/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
ummmm...can I say BEST SHAVED ICE EVER!!!
this place is amazing....couldn't get better than this on any of the islands that we went to in Hawaii. This place is a must try for shaved ice! -
Review from Andrew C.
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Quick Quiz: Who is Ululani???? (The answer to come at the end of the review)
All of the workers here are SUPER nice and you can tell that they actually enjoy conversing with customers and their job.
The ice is the finest shave ice ever. It's like eating snow...but finer.
Their flavors are AMAZING (and HOMEMADE). My gf and I went about 5 times in the 5 days that we had...and thought about it whenever we didn't have it!
Tried the...
Haleakala (Coconut + leche) which was the "heaviest" of all the flavors that we tried, but apparently one of the most popular.
Sunset Beach - Guava, Mango, Passion Orange, delicious and refreshing flavors. Everything actually tastes like the respective fruits!
Lychee, Almond, Green Tea, Pink Lemonade, ...the list goes on. All of the syrups are SO delicious and the shave ice is a refreshing, light dessert after some rather heavy meals!
Make sure you get a stamp card, 10 shave ice purchases and you get one free. The small is "large" enough to share between two!
Answer to Quiz (after the story): Met the owner, David, at this place and he was a really friendly guy. Took a picture with what seemed to be a local celebrity (5 stars? 2 shops within a block / 3 in maui? lines everywhere? he's a celebrity in my book) and he explained that he makes all of the flavors on his own and also provided recommendations on flavors to try!
And now, the moment you've been waiting for...Ululani is the name of his wife! -
Review from Shannon L.
Fremont, CA
When you're sick of eating rice plate after rice plate with mac salad, you can find comfort knowing that you can just have shave ice. Who can get sick of eating ice? It's like getting sick of drinking really good water.
After trying a good number of flavors, my favorites are lychee and tiger's blood (cherry/coconut). Get vanilla ice cream on the bottom and snow cap on top. As for the li hing powder, it's free but add sparingly. I can see my dad loving that stuff as only old Chinese men eat li hing mui (salted dried plum).
If you go to the other location just down the street, there are tables and stands for you to put your shave ice in so you don't have to hold it. I went to both and didn't notice a difference in flavor. Employees are both locations are very friendly!Listed in: Where honeymooners get fat:…
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Review from Jen H.
10/10/2011
Solid 3.5 stars.
I was so excited to try shave ice here! Reading all the great reviews, I was expecting something AMAZING!
However, it was great, but not AMAZING.
Make sure you ask for condense milk. Apparently he knew we were from California b/c we asked for condense milk..hahahah
The ice was soft like powder snow.
Definitely give it a try if you never had shave ice before! -
Review from Shannon C.
Mt Prospect, IL
1/28/2012
This place is heaven! I had seen great reviews so we stopped there on day two of our honeymoon. It was AMAZING! We tried other shave ice places and they didn't even compare slightly. We ended up getting Ululani's 3 times during our 10 day stay on Maui.
