Fun fact: Seki is a Samoan slang word that means “awesome” or “good,” according to Seki Slush co-owner Nikki Holbrook Ho Ching, who owns the business with her husband.
“I’m Native Hawaiian and my husband is Samoan,” she says. “We loved the idea of incorporating our roots into the brand. When we paired ‘Seki’ with ‘Slush,’ it just had the right vibe — playful, memorable and true to who we are as a couple.”
While Seki Slush officially opened its trailer recently at Hukilau Marketplace in Lāʻie, the business began three years ago.
“It was not long after my husband and I got married,” Hobrook Ho Ching says. “We’d always dreamed of starting something together. I used to run lemonade stands as a kid, and my husband remembers rewarding weekend chores with a cold treat. For me, it was a sweet drink after soccer games. One day, slushies came up in conversation, and it just clicked.”
The business started small — with just a table and tent at several pop-up markets, and a few private parties on the side, according to Hobrook Ho Ching, who says she was working full-time, and her husband was in medical school.
“What began as a passion project quickly turned into something more,” she says. “This year, we added a trailer and now, we’re so excited to have opened our very first permanent location.”
Seki Slush’s menu is designed to be simple and refreshing. It features two flavors for now — mango and guava — and a variety of toppings like ice cream, mochi, mango chunks and whipped cream.
Customers can choose from three different sizes for their treats — the mini Seki ($5), Seki ($7) and Supa Seki ($9).
“Our bestseller is the Supa Seki Supreme ($12) — our biggest cup loaded with all the toppings,” Hobrook Ho Ching says. “It’s the ultimate treat. We wanted to choose flavors that were local flavors; we don’t use any artificial colors or flavors.”
While the business’s trailer is open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily (closed Wednesdays and Sundays), Seki Slush still pops up at private parties and events. Inquiries can be made via the business’s website.
“My husband is from Lāʻie, and I went to school at BYU-Hawaiʻi,” Hobrook Ho Ching says says. “This place is really special to us. This has been the dream since the beginning, so we’re excited to actually be here.”
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CONTACT
Seki Slush
Hukilau Marketplace
55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Lāʻie
Sekislush.com
Instagram: @sekislush
Open 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Mondays-Tuesdays, Thursdays-Saturdays
Closed Wednesdays and Fridays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
