Known for its refreshing honey slushes, Nomadic — formerly Wicked HI — recently opened a new location in Kailua.
The business still has its food truck — located in Haleʻiwa (the black truck with the yellow umbrellas, next to Kokua General Store) — which serves up sourdough pizzas and honey slushes.
The business has been searching for another location for many months, according to owner Heidi Vance.
“We wanted something that was a comfortable spot for locals and a visible spot for newcomers,” she says. “We knew the right fit would be worth the wait. We are so excited to be along Kuulei Road in Kailua, with so many other growing businesses and shops.”
Vance explains the business’s name change from Wicked HI to Nomadic was a recent one.
“We took over ownership of the business in early 2024, and as we grew and changed, we wanted a name that fit us and that connected with the local community,” she explains. “We (my husband Zach and I) were a nomadic traveling family prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and ended up here in Hawaiʻi while all travel shut down around the world. We loved it so much here that we decided to plant roots and call it home.
“We know so many other nomadic souls that love life here in Hawaiʻi, and whether you stay for a week or a decade, we know that the time here is something truly special,” she adds.
Like its Haleʻiwa food truck, Nomadic still offers its signature honey slushes and sourdough pizzas. Its honey slushes have no dairy, no dyes and no artificial sweeteners, according to Vance.
“We have simplified our menu (in Kailua) to specialize in those favorites and to respect our neighbor restaurants, who are already offering incredible coffee and sandwiches,” she says. “We have been known for our fresh ingredients, and we shop for local ingredients as much as possible.”
Honey slushes feature three main ingredients — fruit, raw local honey and water — and customers can choose their dessert size ($5 keiki, $7.50 small, $8.50 regular). Flavors include pina colada (pineapple and coconut cream); coffee (cold brew and coconut cream); lilikoʻi (passionfruit) and dragonfruit lemonade (lemons and pink dragonfruit). The café will also feature a seasonal slush flavor.
The café offers both waffles and pizzas made from sourdough.
“While the art of sourdough is unique, it also preserves the importance of good, nutritious food that honors your body as much as your taste buds,” Vance says. “Our sourdough is naturally fermented, made with 100% Italian ‘00’ flour and made fresh daily.”
Waffles are served until 1 p.m., and feature both, sweet and savory options. The single ($8) comes with butter, pure maple syrup and housemade whip. If you want a brunch option, go for the B.E.C. ($14) — bacon, over easy egg and cheddar cheese — and avocado ($13). The latter features a waffle topped with avocado, tomatoes, sprouts and goat cheese, with local honey on the side.
Pizzas are served from 11 a.m. until closing, according to Vance, who says the honey goat ($22) — garlic, basil, goat cheese and cherry tomatoes, drizzled with honey — Hawaiian Lava ($23), funghi ($22) and Meat Lover ($25) are the most popular pizzas.
Hawaiian Lava is topped with local pineapple, smoked ham, mozzarella and housemade local lava honey. Funghi is a “mushroom lover’s dream,” according to Vance, as it features garlic aioli, roasted garlic, mushrooms, mozzarella, Parmesan and truffle oil. Meat Lover is a savory option with mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni and bacon.
The business is veteran-owned and the owners “love that we get to serve so many military families on Oʻahu,” according to Vance.
“‘Bee kind, eat local’ is our motto, and it demonstrates the significance of caring for our community by bringing delicious food with the freshest ingredients, while spreading kindness through our customer service,” she says. “We are delighted to be joining the Kailua community.”
Customer parking is located behind the building; street parking is also available.
CONTACT
Nomadic
270 Kuulei Road, Kailua
Instagram: @nomadic.hi
Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays (closed Sundays)
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
