HISTORY OF SHAVE ICE

History of Shave Ice in Hawai`i Shave ice was brought to Hawai`i by the thousands of Japanese who migrated here to work in the sugar cane plantations and pineapple fields. The workers would take a block of ice and shave it as if planing a block of wood (or using a machete), then pour different flavored juices or syrups on them. They enjoyed it as a refreshing break in the hot, tropical climate. In those days shave ice was sold only on Sundays, the only day off the plantation workers received. When the Japanese immigrants moved off the plantations, they opened family run grocery stores (with shave ice) – and shave ice went commercial and became very popular. The popularity has grown and continues to grow. O`ahu’s best shops have popularized shave ice around the world with the most notable being Matsumoto’s in Haleiwa. From our childhood days, Sato’s in Kalihi and B & S on School St (Now Shimazu’s) were noted favorites. Other shops to note on O`ahu are Aoki’s (also in Haleiwa), Waiola’s in McCully and now also on Kapahulu Ave, Shimazu’s in Kalihi, Uncle Clay’s in Aina Haina and now Ala Moana, Island Vintage Shave Ice in Waikiki, Baldwin’s & Ice Garden in Aiea, and Island Snow in Kailua. In 2008, then President-elect Barrack Obama visited Island Snow while on O`ahu. This brought Hawaiian shave ice  notable worldwide attention. All shave ice shops mentioned above on O`ahu are highly recommended by Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice.  ALL of them have played a big role in the history of shave ice and who we are today. MAHALO!!!