Sonic Hawaiʻi is officially opening in Kapolei on Saturday, May 16, at 10 a.m. This is Sonic’s second location in Hawaiʻi (the first store opened on Maui in 2023).
“We’ve felt so much excitement from the Hawaiʻi community since opening on Maui, and we’re honored to continue growing on Oʻahu with the new Kapolei location,” states Takeo Prather, head of growth and development for Sonic Hawaiʻi.
This is the brand’s first drive-in restaurant on island. Sonic is known for its classic curbside experience, and this location features five drive-in stalls. Roller-skating carhops will deliver orders directly to customers’ vehicles.
Sonic Kapolei will also feature patio seating and a double drive-thru lane.
“This wide double drive-thru is so important for us to have, to provide good service to all the customers,” Prather says. “The drive-in stalls are on the back side (of the store). That’s where you’ll pull up, you’ll order and someone will bring your order out to you.”
Signature Sonic menu items include its double Sonic smasher, premium beef hot dog, soft pretzel twist and groovy fries.
In addition, this location will offer a Hawaiʻi-exclusive item — the teriyaki smasher, which launches on opening day. It comprises two Angus beef patties with cheese, teriyaki mayo, Aloha Shoyu Da Yaki sauce, tomato, lettuce and onion.
“For Oʻahu’s first Sonic, we wanted to do something really special,” Prather says. “We worked in close collaboration with Aloha Shoyu to develop the teriyaki smashburger. This is a play on the classic Sonic smasher. It’s amazing; you can only get it at Sonics in Hawaiʻi.”
The teriyaki smasher will be available at both, Oʻahu and Maui Sonic locations.
Customers can choose from signature limeades — Cherry limeade is especially popular — slushes and all-natural lemonade. Prather recommends the off-menu strawberry cream slush.
“It’s half-slush, half-ice cream blended together,” he says. “It’s kind of a secret menu item because it’s not actually listed.”
Sonic Blasts, or frozen desserts that feature soft serve with candy mix-ins, come with options like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Oreo cookie pieces and more.
“The most popular flavor for the Blast is Reese’s,” Prather says. “The thing with Blasts is you can do so many mix-ins. I’m excited to see what people come up with”
Sonic’s opening day will feature live music, entertainment, giveaways, prizes and plenty of outdoor seating for customers, according to Prather. Both the first 10 and first 50 customers in the Sonic drive-thru and patio/walk-up lines on opening day will receive exclusive Sonic Hawai’i swag. For the opening weekend, service will be limited to drive-thru and patio/walk-up only.
“The opening of this location has been a long time coming, and we’re looking forward to welcoming families, friends and neighbors to come together, enjoy fun local flavors alongside Sonic classics, and create new memories with us,” Prather states.
During opening weekend, customer parking is not available within the Sonic parking lot and subdivision. On May 16 and 17, limited customer parking will be available at Ho‘okele Elementary School, where access has been coordinated with the school.
CONTACT
Sonic Hawaiʻi – Kapolei
5001 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei
Instagram: @sonichawaii
Tentative hours (after opening date) are 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
