Ahonui originated as a plant-based food truck in March 2023. At the time, the business was located in Paiʻea, according to co-founder Victoria Romero.
“We recently changed the business concept,” Romero explains. “Over time, Ahonui evolved; my husband and I learned so much through those first years — about running a small business, our community, and also about ourselves and what we truly wanted Ahonui to become.”
The couple decided to take everything they learned and turn the concept into something that felt “more like them,” according to Romero.
“We wanted to create a place centered around quality matcha, specialty coffee and real fruit ice cream — drinks and flavors that are fun and creative,” she says.
Romero explains the business’s name stems from the Hawaiian word for patience and perseverance.
“We chose it because those are values that have always meant a lot to us, but over the years, the name has become even more meaningful,” she says. “Owning a small business teaches you quickly that things don’t always happen the way you expect them to. You have to learn, adapt, make mistakes, start again, and keep going.
“In many ways, ‘Ahonui’ became a reminder for us — to have patience with the process, and the perseverance to keep moving forward,” she adds. “I think that meaning goes beyond the business. It’s something we try to carry into life, too.”
Ahonui moved to Kahului in July 2023. The trailer is located in Kahului at Plate Lunch Marketplace, right across from Costco gas station, according to Romero. Its new concept — real fruit ice cream and specialty drinks — is about four months old.
The business’s ice cream is made by blending frozen fruits with locally sourced ice cream, according to Romero.
“Our vanilla bean base comes from Roselani, a longtime Maui favorite, while our non-dairy option is Coconut Glen's premium coconut ice cream from Hana,” she says. “Customers can keep it simple or choose one of our signature swirls, finished with housemade sauces and toppings.”
The business’s signature swirls ($11) are pre-set menu items that feature popular combos. Choose from strawberry lava (strawberry swirl, strawberry sauce and waffle cone bits); Hana banana (banana ice cream, praline pecans and dulce de leche drizzle); and raspberry blackout (raspberry ice cream, house chocolate drizzle and brownie bits).
“These (signature swirls) are the flavors we thought would be fun and really tasty, but you can always make your own ice cream (combo),” Romero says. “Most people want fruity options, like the strawberry lava; the Hana banana is the most popular.”
For the create-your-own-sundae option, choose a size ($7 keiki, $9.50 Nui); a cup or waffle cone (additional $1); base (vanilla or non-dairy coconut); and fruit. Extra toppings like cacao nibs, chocolate pearls, and peanut butter are available for an additional charge.
No matter what customers choose, Romero says the business’s ice cream is always made to order.
Drinks range from classic coffees — including nitro cold brew, Americano and cappuccino — to signature lattes ($7-$10). Customer favorites include the tiramisu cloud ($8-$9) — espresso or matcha with housemade mascarpone cold foam — strawberry matcha ($9-$10) and cinnabun ($8-$9), which features espresso or matcha with vanilla and brown sugar cinnamon cold foam.
Romero notes that the cold foams are “simple” and made with ingredients like heavy cream, maple and agave.
“I really care about the ingredients we use,” she says. “Our chocolate sauce is not storebought; we make it with dark chocolate chips from a really good company. We took the time to make things in-house.
“Matcha has become a big part of what we do,” she adds. “We source it from different regions of Japan — including Kyoto, Yame, and Kagoshima — and pair it with housemade flavors and cold foams. We care a lot about the little details — the quality of the matcha, the ingredients we use, and the flavors we create — but also how someone feels when they come to our truck.”
Ahonui also offers a variety of smoothies, ranging from pina colada ($12) — comprising pineapple chunks, coconut cream, pineapple juice, agave and coconut milk — to chunky monkey ($12). The latter features banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein and milk.
“It’s a simple and delicious banana, peanut butter and chocolate smoothie,” Romero says. “My husband and I are constantly working on the menu, testing recipes, coming up with new ideas, listening to our customers, and trying to make Ahonui better.”
She notes that one of their goals is to make every customer feel happy, welcomed and special when they visit Ahonui — whether they’re trying their ice cream for the first time, or coming for their daily matcha fix.
“We’re incredibly grateful for how the Maui community has embraced this new chapter of Ahonui,” she says. “Making such a big change can be challenging and scary, but seeing people come back, bring their friends and families, and get excited about what we’re creating has reassured us that we’re on the right path."
CONTACT
Ahonui
591 Haleakala Hwy., Kahului
Instagram: @ahonuimaui
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays to Mondays, closed Tuesdays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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