Diamond Head Drip, a mobile coffee truck, officially opened last September with a mission to serve the Kāhala and Diamond Head community. The idea for the business came about last May, according to owners Scott Blanco and Hellena Wilson.
“This inspiration was pretty simple — we saw a real absence in the Kāhala area for quality, specialty coffee, and we knew the location along Diamond Head Road was special,” Blanco says. “There’s something about handing someone a beautifully crafted drink while they’re taking in that sunrise that just felt right. Coffee and community are what drive us.”
When the business first opened, Diamond Head Drip parked near the Amelia Earhart’s Marker on Diamond Head Road. Choosing that location was intentional, according to Blanco.
“There’s real history on this stretch of road,” Blanco says. “Truck vendors and peddlers have worked the Kāhala side of Diamond Head in past generations. Operating out of a food truck felt like we were honoring that tradition, and that resonated with us deeply.”
“We’re right within sight of Diamond Head, so that was a given,” adds Wilson, referring to the meaning behind the business name. “We also loved that ‘drip’ is a coffee reference, and it nods to our vision of growing into clothing and apparel down the road.”
The business features a variety of coffees with both, housemade syrups and classic options from Pono Potions. Coffees are made with beans from Kailua-based Tradition Coffee Roasters, according to Blanco.
The business’s banana bread latte ($7) is the most popular drink, followed by the maple brown sufar latte ($7) and cold brew with maple brown sugar cold foam ($7).
“We make the maple brown sugar, banana bread, miso caramel and local honey simple syrups in-house,” Blanco says. “Pono Potions supplies our mac nut, vanilla and lavender syrups.”
Besides coffees and teas, Diamond Head Drip also features quick bites designed for those on-the-go. The business’s croffles ($7) — a croissant-waffle hybrid — and Podagee Press ($5) have become customer favorites.
“For the Podagee Press, we do Spam-sized Portuguese sausage and cheese between two Kings Hawaiian rolls,” says Wilson, who explains the rolls are then waffle-pressed to create a melt-like sandwich.
Diamond Head Drip recently found a new location and now pops up at Lotus Honolulu’s parking lot from Wednesdays to Sundays.
“Lotus Waikīkī has helped us lock down a spot that is still in sight of our beautiful Diamond Head scenery,” the business wrote in a recent Instagram post.
The Diamond Head setting contributes to the business’s unique experience, according to Blanco, who wants to thank the community and customers.
“You’re sipping a craft latte with a view of Diamond Head and the dual surf breaks,” Blanco says. “Beyond the location, we’re committed to true specialty coffee. We started this (business) because we love coffee and we love this place; that hasn’t changed one bit.
“Hellena is born and raised here; I’m a San Diego transplant,” he adds. “This journey has made this my home and helped me feel like I belong here.”
CONTACT
Diamond Head Drip
Lotus Honolulu parking lot
2885 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu
Instagram: @diamondheaddrip
Open 7 a.m. to noon Wednesdays to Sundays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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