Diamond Head and Good shaved Ice

Every place I’ve visited, I’ve sampled or devoured huge quantities of the local food/cuisines I’ve encountered (ramen anyone??).
Honolulu is no different. It’s extremely warm here, even in January when the rest of the states are freezing their collective asses off. And since it’s warm here, shaved ice is very popular here.
Now, you’d think shaved ice is the easiest thing to make. You shave some ice. Plop it into a cup. Pour syrup of different colours and flavours on top. Voila, instant treat AND hydration. But like an In & Out Double-Double, it’s deceptively difficult to make it well.
Think for a minute. A Double-Double is made of of ingredients. Two beef patties and two slices of cheese. Lettuce. Tomato. Onions. Thousand Island sauce. Fresh bun. You can try making this yourself, using the same ingredients but it won’t taste the same. Same thing with the shaved ice thing in Honolulu.
I hiked up Diamond Head today. Why? Because it was there and it was nearby the Waiola Bakery (more about that later). Also, it was just to see if I could still do it.
Mental note: Do this climb before the sun comes up next time! But once on top, the views were worth it.

I think all of Hawaii is about great views…

The visitor facility is inside the crater. That’s what you’re looking at.
Like an idiot, I began this hike at 1100 and didn’t come down until after 1300. In the parking lot, there’s a snack truck that sells snacks and beverages for tourists that didn’t plan ahead and have whiny loud kids. They have burgers, beverages, bottled water. And they offer shaved ice. In a moment of weakness (since I finished my water coming halfway down the mountain), I ordered one. The shaved ice tasted good enough since it was drowned in syrup, but the texture of the ice was like little chunks. Not really smooth but in the condition I was in, it was refreshing enough. I didn’t think much about it until I drove over to the Waiola Bakery.

Dun look like much, does it?
The Waiola Bakery has a bakery on site, through the doors on the left. On the right, they make shaved ice. Back in the day, there were many local, family run establishments like this. Sadly, they’re an endangered species as the local attractions they served (such as the old Honolulu Stadium that used to be across the street) shut down or get demolished.

The menu for shaved ice. All sorts of options.
Besides the basic “rainbow” where you get three colors (flavors) of syrup on your shaved ice, you can get it topped with different toppings or even get ice cream or nuts or fruit inside the shaved ice. I got the “rainbow”.

Here’s a “rainbow”, 2/3rds of it gone!
It was very very VERY good! The ice is shaved finely, unlike my Diamond Head shaved ice. Because of the finer shaved ice, the syrup gets completely absorbed instead of just collecting at the bottom of the cup with the melted ice, nee water. So you get a sweet treat AND hydration! Because it’s hot here and you’ll need it. Just get here before 1830, because that’s when they close!
Waiola Bakery & Shaved Ice
525 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu HI 96815-3854
808-735-8886