Best Shave Ice in Maui: Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

By Erica Garza

Ululani's offers a variety of flavors made from quality ingredients for the best shave ice in Maui. Photo by Erica Garza.

Shave ice is an iconic Hawaiian treat, and with so many signs claiming to be the best spot strewn across the island, it might seem like a daunting task to choose amongst them. However, Maui Now has gladly done the hard work for you and found that despite all the claims, Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, with locations in Kahului and Lahaina offers just the right consistency and flavor to be crowned the best in Maui.

Consisting of finer ice than a snow cone, Hawaiian shave ice is a treat made by shaving a block of ice, rather than crushing it. The consistency of the ice resembles snow, thus allowing syrups to be absorbed, something Ululani’s has made an art of with melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.

Ululani's impressive menu of classic flavors, add-ons and innovative combinations. Photo by Erica Garza.

Although fairly new—Ululani’s opened in 2008—the company has managed to rapidly gain a strong following. You’ll rarely walk right up to their counter as lines usually stretch out to the sidewalk. But don’t worry, it’s worth the wait.

Haleakala combination with coconut syrup and sweetened condensed cream. Photo by Erica Garza.

The array of flavors and add-ons available certainly separates Ululani’s from countless competitors. They make 100% of their syrups using signature recipes and blends utilizing premium purees, extracts, and concentrates. Their most popular flavors are coconut, lilikoi, mango, guava, pineapple, strawberry, and banana and each impressively taste exactly like biting fresh fruit.

Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice uses only pure cane sugar and filtered/purified water for syrups and ice. Plus, all of their add-ons are either Maui favorites like fresh mochi from Maui Specialty Chocolates or Maui’s own premium ice cream, Roselani’s, or they make add-ons themselves, like azuki beans and tapioca pearls in coconut milk.

Maui Now tried the Haleakala combination, consisting of coconut syrup and leche, sweetened condensed cream and cream mix, not your typical shave ice option on the island. Using sweetened condensed cream is hot in places like Panama and after one bite, it had us wondering why everyone hasn’t added this combo to their shave ice menu. Perfectly sweet and resembling Maui’s tallest peak, the creaminess of the Haleakala combination doesn’t weigh down the lightness of the coconut, resulting in fresh, tasty mouthfuls of icy goodness.

Contact Ululani’s by calling 360-606-2745 or visit their two locations on Maui at 815 Front Street in Lahaina or 333 Dairy Road in Kahului.

Maui Now covers the latest food news and events throughout the island and appreciates suggestions. Please send tips or feedback to erica@mauinow.com.