Opening a storefront wasn’t necessarily part of HI Cravings founder Jess Kamanaʻo’s plan for 2026. However, things changed once Lanakai Juice’s Kamokila Boulevard location closed.
“We weren’t going to get back in the storefront game,” says Kamanaʻo, as HI Cravings is known for its multiple food trucks. “We were just good on mobile. The only reason why we would do a storefront again is if we could collab with some other companies.”
“We’ve been in business for 13 years now,” she adds. “Operating a storefront is definitely a challenge for a small business, especially a food business, because our margins are not as big as other industries. We thought, if we get into here, we have to do something creative and collaborative, which is something we’ve always done in our previous stores.”
HI Cravings Co-Op officially opened to the public on Aug. 29. The co-op currently features spaces for three vendors — HI Cravings, Main Squeeze Lemonade, and a rotating vendor.
“We thought, let’s create another mini storefront,” says Kamanaʻo. “It’s a co-op of other small businesses; we’re going to build a merch section so businesses can leave their stuff — whether it’s mochi or jewelry — for customers to buy. Our goal is to keep collabing with small businesses to give them that opportunity, to make it a community spot and keep it exciting for people to keep coming back.”
HI Cravings still operates three mobile trucks, which pop up at various locations across Oʻahu. Opening a Kapolei storefront has allowed the business to bring back some of its older menu items, according to Kamanaʻo.
“The Mauka is our leafy green and fruit base,” she says. “It’s honestly one of my favorite bases to eat by itself. It’s healthy and fresh; I love our fresh blends like acai, pitaya and Mauka.”
Customers can choose their acai bowl size and base. Bases include acai, acai sorbet, mango sorbet, dragonfruit sorbet, and more. All bowls come with toppings like granola, raw honey, and fruits like strawberries and bananas. Additional toppings like peanut butter, Nutella and cookie dough are available for an additional charge.
Customers can also selection from pre-set specialty bowls like Bliss, Kapakahi, and Mangonada. The Mangonada features mangoes — when they’re available — and has chamoy walls, tajin, li hing Mexican candy stick and condensed milk.
Kamanaʻo’s personal favorite is the Kapakahi bowl, which is topped with strawberries, bananas, pineapples, watermelon, grapes, granola, honey and coconut shreds.
“I like it with Cookie Butter, almond butter and cacao nibs,” she says. “It’s a balance of healthy-ish and a little bit of sweet in there.”
Kamanaʻo encourages customers to try the stuffed strawberry bowl, which is a new addition. She likens it to a “deconstructed stuffed strawberry,” as the bowl doesn’t include a base, granola or honey. The bowl features layers of strawberries or bananas (or both); a spread (Cookie Butter, Nutella or both); cookie dough crumbles, condensed milk, and warm melted chocolate.
“You get that melted, chocolate fondue, dipped strawberry effect,” Kamanaʻo says. “When you dip a strawberry (in chocolate) and it hardens, it’s not the same as that yummy, melted chocolate. It’s amazing in every bite.”
HI Cravings’ new store also offers half-, full- and party-sized acai trays with fruits, granola and honey.
“It takes two to three hours to freeze the base, and we’ll top it fresh,” Kamanaʻo says. “You can add-on extra toppings, too; we’re just amplifying the customization a little bit more.”
HI Cravings Co-Op is still in its soft opening, and Kamanaʻo says it will take some time to get a feel for the parking, space and workflow. For now, the Co-Op is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Wednesdays.
“I’m hoping the community can continue to support us, as we continue these collaborations and run the trucks,” she says. “I’m excited to bring the ‘OG’ us back. It’s been 13 years; we’ve been a part of many people’s lives. We’re excited to have that sense of community.”
CONTACT
HI Cravings Co-Op
711 Kamokila Blvd., Kapolei
hicravings.com
Instagram: @hicravingshawaii
Open Thursdays to Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed Wednesdays)
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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