It’s Chili In Hawaii

FINALLY! I’ve been in Hawaii almost a year, and miss my hot sauce. Just stumbled upon Chili In Hawaii’s booth at the Aloha Stadium swap meet. Festivals on the mainland have lots of great hot sauces to sample, but these guys are the real deal here in Hawaii. Met both of the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Chili, and they are both super nice and knowledgeable about their sauces and peppers. Very nice selection with some common ones (Daves Insanity) as well as some that they make with their own labels. They have a deal going, 3 bottles for $ 20, so I picked up 3. Some Jerk Sauce, a ‘Guava Lava’ and a Habanero Garlic. All excellent and 2 of the 3 made by their company. Nice thick chunky sauces, not thin and vinegary like the stuff you get in the grocery stores.
If you’re a hot sauce guy or gal, these guys are your Hawaii hook-​up. The real deal.
Mahalo, and I will be back.
–Mark.

I made a special trip out to the Swap Meet to find It’s Chili in Hawaii. The spot locations indicated here on Unilocal were dead on and took me to the correct tent. There were perhaps 10 – 12 different hot sauces to choose from, and he did indicate that different sauces are rotated in with future shipments, so check back another time and you hopefully have some new choices.
Price wise, it is ok… Buy a few bottles and get a little bit off, but you will definitely get better deals online– bottles that sell for $ 20 here are ~7−9 online. Buying from Its Chili in Hawaii has a few perks for the extra $ though, you can sample the different sauces before choosing your purchase (s), and the man is knowledgeable to entertain your hot sauce questions.
All in all, I would go back to see what new sauces arrive, sample and pick up a bottle or two again. I picked up two bottles today for $ 35, which seemed OK for the ‘i want it now’ mentality with the above mentioned perks, but to the haggler/​deal maker, considering what you can get them for online you could probably wiggle some discount… Great place! Check it out!

As a New Mexico ex pat I can truly appreciate the service this business provides. I just busted out my last Bueno Chimayo red sauce tub and my wife made god tier enchaladas… the kind with the egg on top. If you don’t know, then you just don’t know.

Love this place, but just to update everyone, they no longer have a store in Kaimuki. Rent is too pricey, so they are now operarting at the Swap Meet. The phone number still works. Give them a call!

THIS IS FREAKING HOT SAUCE HEAVEN! omg thanks Unilocalers for Unilocaling this place because I love all things hot and spicy and this place as as a lot of sauces to choose from. The workers here are really cool and very helpful in letting me sample some of their hottest sauces and boy did it pack a punch. The prices are decent, ranging from $ 5-​$ 20 a bottle but the more expensive ones are the best, I got to try one of the hottest sauce that was made with the hottest indian peppers and boy was it good but at $ 18 a bottle i’ll pass although i really wanted it. Anyway this is definitely the place to add some spice in your life!

It’s Chili in Hawaii has been around for years and they are still great. They have moved to their new location on 3^rd & Waialae. The owner is really nice, knowledgeable, and helpful. She also has a unique selection of sauces, mixes and other spicy things to liven up your cooking. If you want to stay home and try your hand at cooking give this place a try for a unique cooking experience. Yum!

I’m missing home.
My aina.
I love all things spicy. From raw peppers to complex sauces and everything in between.
Hence, It’s Chili In Hawaii.
I first met owner Gary Toyama back in 1996.
I believe the store was barely a year old when I first bought «hot sauce» from him.
It was an event. Wall to wall sauces, custom dressings and sauces in the fridge, tasting anything and everything your tastebuds would allow.
… and everything was blessed with chili…
A «chili pepper mecca».
I next saw Gary Toyama again around ’97 sometime.
All I know is I stopped in happy and eager to buy sauce…
Mr. Toyama was lamenting his business partner and friend Ken Martinez’s untimely death.
With tears in his eyes and a quiet voice he told me of how it was their dream to open this store, and how he didn’t know if he could keep it open on his own.
I don’t remember much, but I remember telling him that if it was what he really wanted to do, he should try and keep it around, if anything for the honor of his friend.
I’m not saying I had anything to do with Mr Toyama keeping this store open.
I’m not sure if he even remembers this day around a decade ago.
All I know is this store is a spicy food lovers paradise.
All I know is I love chili peppers and hot sauce.
All I know is memories like these help me chase my dreams.
For this Gary Toyama,
Mahalo Nui Loa!
Aloha Ka kou!

Why hasn’t anyone written a review for this place? This place is awesome! On Saturdays they have fresh tortillas they sell and often tasty home cooked samples. I think it’s family owned and they are always super friendly.
I love cooking so this is where I get authentic frozen green chilies (mild to hot) for cooking breakfast burritos, quesadillas etc… They also sell hot sauces and a variety of frozen tamales.
Extra star for ample parking.