“What’s the difference between snow ice and shave ice?” I asked, upon entering Aunty’s Hau Hale for the first time. The new dessert shop, which opened Feb. 6 in Ka Makana Ali‘i, offers both snow ice and shave ice, along with boba, smoothies and egg waffles.
“Snow ice shaves out with the flavor already in the ice,” explains store manager Stacy Abasial, who is also “Aunty’s” daughter. “Shave ice is more of the local-style shave ice, where the syrup goes on top of the ice.”
As its name implies, the biz is the sister company of Aunty’s Hotpot Hale, also located at the Kapolei mall. Aunty’s Hau Hale is located across from Johnny Rockets; it got its name because “hau” means “ice” in Hawaiian, according to Abasial.
Snow ice desserts only come in one size ($8), and customers can choose from flavors like ube, coffee, passion fruit, strawberry and mango. A complimentary topping comes with each snow ice dessert; choose from popping boba, mochi balls, condensed milk and more.
“The snow ice has been more popular than the shave ice because it’s newer,” Abasial says. “Our coffee flavor is really good; it has a strong coffee taste.”
The snow ice boasts a creamier texture, making the treat reminiscent of a coffee ice cream. Abasial says ube and strawberry have also been popular options.
If you want shave ice ($8), treats come with your choice of one or two flavors, including passion fruit, pineapple, strawberry, mango and li hing.
Egg waffles, also known as bubble waffles, have also been a hit with customers so far, according to Abasial. The honeycomb-shaped snacks come with a complimentary dipping sauce; while chocolate has been especially popular, other options include condensed milk, strawberry and passion fruit.
“We have actually sold a lot of bubble waffles, more than we anticipated,” Abasial says.
Aunty’s Hau Hale also features assorted smoothies — taro ($9.99), mango ($8.99), yogurt ($8.99) and more — along with Thai tea ($7.99), Vietnamese iced coffee ($7.99) and almond custard ($4.99 small, $6.99 large).
CONTACT
Aunty’s Hau Hale
Ka Makana Ali‘i
91-5431 Kapolei Pkwy., Kapolei
808-260-1753
Instagram: @auntyshauhale
Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
