ice ice baby!
Ululani’s Shave Ice. OMG.
When I was in Maui last fall, I set out on a personal mission to find the island’s best Hawaiian shave ice. Hey, someone had to do it!
Many had told me about Ululani’s in Lahaina. “Get it with ice cream on the bottom,” tweets read. And I thought to myself, “Bleah. Ice and ice cream mixed? Nasty!” But when I got to the window and mulled over the flavor options, I saw another order being prepared, with ice cream on the bottom.
Lee and his Tobi’s Shave Ice.
OK, I can do this. I ordered a small (you should see the sizes!) passion orange with macadamia nut ice cream on the bottom and a sprinkling of li hing mui powder on top.
Oh. My. Goodness. I was in love!
And craved that shave ice every day of my trip. I did return to Ululani’s several times. I’m not ashamed.
However, as part of my mission I had to try others, and I did.
Local Boys’ Shave Ice
Before taking on the Road to Hana, Lee Abamonte (a fellow travel writer and driver for the day) and I stopped by Tobi’s Shave Ice in Paia before we started out on the winding roads. It was good and tasty and refreshing, but it wasn’t Ululani’s. (Sorry, Tobi!)
Wendy Harvey, who’s local to Maui and knows her shave ice, raved about Local Boys Shave Ice in Kihei. And so I stopped for a bite when exploring the south of the island. I loved the ordering counter and took the cup filled with yumminess to the beach. What a gorgeous setting! The shave ice was good, but…
I made it back to Ululani’s as often possible during my trip, and even bought my husband a t-shirt (he wasn’t with me on the trip) to remind me of the iced goodness.
I long for Ululani’s and talk giddily about it to others who’ve had the pleasure to experience it. Nothing here in Florida comes close to its soft, silky texture.
Sheraton Maui’s adult shave ice
And then I hear about an ‘adult’ version of Hawaiian shave ice at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. What? Imagine lounging by the pool or on the beach whilst indulging in Rum Rainbow, Spiked Pineapple, or Tropical Cactus. Don’t like those flavors? You can create your own!
As if I needed another reason – when’s the next flight to Maui?
Have you had Hawaiian shave ice? Which is your favorite?
