Six months ago I walked through Aina Haina Shopping Center and noticed something different.
Doe Fang, a little mom-and-pop crack seed shop that’s been around for more than 50 years, was closed.
I paused, not believing this popular shop — known for its delightful Icee creations, particular the strawberry slush topped with li hing powder — could close. People loved Doe Fang and, more importantly, they loved its owner, Uncle Clay Chang.
But there was a notice taped to the glass door. There was hope. It read that Uncle Clay was going to come back, creating something called a House of Pure Aloha. The dream, it said, would live on.
And it has.
Saturday is the grand opening of Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha (@uncleclays), a charming shave ice shop serving gourmet versions of the island treat. It boasts homemade syrups made with local ingredients from vendors such as Otsuji Farms in Hawaii Kai and Waialua Estate.
“This is my dream,” said Uncle Clay Chang, who was dishing out hugs yesterday to anyone who happened to stop by. “Now it’s turned into a calling.”
Now his calling is to spread his brand of aloha through this beloved frozen treat, offering syrups — pineapple, acai, lychee, coconut, li hing and even kale-spinach — and fresh toppings and homemade sauces.
Here’s a peek inside:
House of Pure Aloha
Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha, Aina Haina Shopping Center, 820 W. Hind Dr. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Phone: (808) 373-5111
11 Comments
Hello Cat, that looks so refreshing! It is a must stop!
Yes, it should be on your bucket list!
It’s about time someone like Uncle Clay jumped in and opened a place to put out of business that House of Impure Aloha across the street. Purity will win in this war of competitve business.
LOL, Impure Aloha. I can only imagine who’d run that!
This was an excellent Cat Chat, you are so relaxed, Uncle is a riot, and nephew is well spoken. Just loved it.
Aw, thanks! It was easy since Uncle Clay and Bronson are so freaking nice! 🙂
Aina Haina, eh? WIll have to check it out on the way out to the dog park next time! How are things on the East side Cat? Heard they’re shutting down the HiKai Foodland in July…
I know. I was going to blog about that… Maybe tomorrow… It’s a total shame.
Hey Cat, love this post! Shave ice looks so ono. I agree that Uncle Clay and Bronson are super nice people, but I can tell that you are too! HOPA!
Thanks for blogging about HOPA! Uncle Clay and Bronson are doing a super awesome job of spreading Pure Aloha around the world and I hope that one day they can open HOPA’s everywhere! I can’t wait to try all of the delicious shave ice’s! They look sooo good!
Great pictures! Uncle Clay is my good high school friend’s dad–always see the shave ice master out running on the weekends too. 🙂 Happy that he’s back and open!