Kawate Seed Shop

I’m going to miss kawates. Grew up on it. It holds many childhood memories of mine. Gravy burgers, and blueberry freckle icecream. I’m so sad they are closing

Love it!!! Mom & pop crack seed store with awesome burgers, Lau lau plate… Must try their FAMOUS GRAVY BURGER!!! Sooo ono-​lish! =D

Best Ice Shave on the island and maybe in the world! The lilikoi shave ice will beat any other Lilikoi shave ice anywhere I guarantee it! Don’t get pineapple unless you like pure sugar! Li Hing mui and lemon peel is in the top 3 also! The gravy burger is good. Don’t go for the Kim Chee one, it’s not that good. The Portuguese hot dog is bomb tho! Blueberry freckle would be the best ice cream for sure. And as for the cracks seed, kumquat, sweet Li Hing mui, lemon peel and mango peel is my faves.

Love stopping at this place when in Hilo. This place has been open forever and consistently makes good ice shave. The girls behind the counter are super sweet and offer great flavor combo suggestions.
Lots of other stuff to get here, but normally I just stick with ice shave.

Long line but it’s worth it!!! Orange bang is delish, cotton candy ice cream is on point and Kim Chee gravy burger delish.

This place has been open like forever. A mom and pops shop that has survived tough economical times, recessions and society itself. Bottom line it’s still standing.
They sell sandwiches, snacks, cracked seeds and of course ice shave! Order the Li Hing Mui ice shave with whatever else flavor you desire. It’s affordable so you can’t go wrong…

Whenever I go home to Hilo, I always have to make a stop at Kawates. I’ve been coming here since I was little, because my mom used to work here back in day. I noticed that there are a bunch of young employees working there now, some of which could be a little more peppy. Aunty Karen that still works there, is my favorite. She has been around since the beginning, and is one of the nicest ladies I know.
I always get a gravy burger or a rainbow shave ice. I think its funny that they use the word ‘cherry blossom’ instead of snow cap. But I absolutely love everything here! My mom always gets the Portuguese hot dog, and my boyfriend from Oahu always gets a kimchee gravy burger. He loves this place more than me! He rates their shave ice really high comparing to both Big Island and Oahu shave ice places. The ice is super fine, not blocky like some places, and they put the right amount of syrup! I always get mines with ice cream and a snow cap and you should too~

This is a place that has delicous teri burgers I had one today and it was just amazing I also had a root beer float that was amazing I had a root beer float before but this one was delicous

This is a review for the gravy burger. The concept is pretty good. I’ll give them that. The actual burger is bizarre. Call me snooty but this is only a couple paces beyond an AM PM burger. The meat tastes like it has been stewing in its own juices for hours in a steam tray. Basic bun and goods from Costco if you ask me. Probably got the Kim Chi from there too.

This small local café has been around since I was a little girl. My grandpa would always take my siblings and I to get shave ice and their gravy burger (by far the best on the island). The ladies that work there are some of the friendliest people. Whenever I go there it instantly brings me back to my childhood.

Since I been here on the big island, I have been on a shaved ice craze. I been to good ones bad ones. I merely reviewing the store and the shaved ice. This is gets really busy and confusing at times. First impression every where I go is that everyone one in the big island is really so relaxed and service is is below par. I walked into the store I felt so cramped and stuffed and tramping over kids on a hot summer day. I ordered Li hing Inspired shaved ice. It was good enough. I also bought a few candy to try since I have not tired those treats before. Overall pricing is bit on the high end but I think they have been here since the island gave birth. In a nut shell, it’s ok.

Old fashioned service from the original family owners on a busy weekend afternoon in December. The young woman who expertly prepared my Rainbow fluffy shave ice of lychee, dreamsicle and watermelon was enthusiastic, and very friendly. The aroma of a big takeout burger order was delicious mixed with the tang of the crack seeds sold in apothecary jars. I can’t wait until our next visit when I plan to try the condensed milk on top as well as exotic sounding cherry blossom sprinkles!

Li hing mui ice shave syrup is TOP NOTCH! #1. So good! The blue vanilla flavor is delicious too.
Cute shop, everyone is very nice. Regular ice shave is $ 2.50.
The crack seed is $ 21/​lb. WHAT?! Must be made in-​shop! =)

Strictly reviewing the shave Ice, I thought it was merely okay. No homemade syrups and the ice was average. On the bright side, the portion was pretty big.
Overall, I’d go to Wilson’s as the ice and flavor I feel is better there.

Best Li Hing Mui syrup on island (and in state). They make their own li hing mui syrup and DON’T sift out the plum bits (most places do). For those of us who are li hing addicts, sifting out the plum bits is a sin. I get li hing mui and lychee ice shave mix — the soft sweet floral taste of the lychee is the perfect balance for the earthy, salty, strong taste of the li hing mui.
This ain’t your tutu’s ice shave — this the real deal!

Small mom and pop shop that has REALLY delicious shaved ice! My hubby and I stopped here upon recommendation by his aunt who grew up in Hilo. I have had shaved ice before on Oahu and in the mainland but the shaved ice here is amazing! Prices are pretty cheap for their shaved ice which of course makes this place even more attractive! They also sell ice cream, candy and dried fruits (i.e. mangoes with Li Hing Mui powder). But honestly, you can find the dried fruits cheaper somewhere else like Walmart. But come here for their shaved ice. You won’t regret it! :)

Shave ice and seed. Not sure how many of these shops are still around in the isles. Their shave ice comes in a bowl, so there’s less of a mess — you can add any flavor ice cream, azuki beans or mochi balls to the shave ice for 75 cents extra.
Tiny store, so 4 of you will fill up the whole shop.
Be patient. There’s one machine and one person making the shave ice. Your wait will be worth it.
The shop brings back nice memories of small kid time. (Ok, only the locals wll know what I’m talking about) Hopefully shops like this will be around for future generations to enjoy.

This is the best place to get shaved ice in Hilo. With a wide variety of flavors and combinations of shaved ice to choose from, Kawate Seed Shop is hands down the place to go.
I can remember going to Kawate since I was a child and getting my favorite li hing mui seeds and a rainbow shaved ice. It seems like they are one of the last shops around that hasn’t changed their recipes or gone out of business. For a little shop they have a lot of choices when it comes to seeds. They also serve delicious gravy hamburgers, hot dogs, and chili if you want something to eat. But of course they are known for the shaved ice. You can order a regular, a bowl, with azuki beans, or with condensed milk on top. There are so many different flavors, sometimes it is hard to decide what to get. No matter what flavor or style you get, you won’t be disappointed. That’s why they have been in business for so long, they keep to their original recipes!
I hope that Kawate Seed Shop stays open for a long time more. People wouldn’t know where to go in Hilo for shaved ice!

All I have to say is… BEST SHAVE ICE EVER! :)
I’ve been eating the shave ice here since I was really little and it has NEVER disappointed. :)

BEST SHAVE ICE IN HAWAII!
I’ve been coming to Kawate Seed Shop all my life! So count me as an over 20 year customer! This family owned business to me is considered a Hilo land mark! They have the best shave ice! The shaved ice is perfect and served perfectly round. I always get the rainbow with vanilla ice cream and condensed milk! mmmmmmm! Typing about it is making my mouth water! I can’t forget about their crack seeds! The best! Growing up my cousins and I would order the famous gravy burgers! ahhh! Oh I like their sorbet and blueberry ice cream. Hilo Homemade is the best. Everytime I go back to Hilo to visit my dogs and family, this is a must stop for me to fill my shave ice craving! I use to come here pretty much everyday after school. Hilo kids got it made with the best shave ice! My family and I are huge fans! Out of all the shave ice hot spots on the Big Island and Oahu… Kawate Seed Shop is #1!
Huge plus… a huge parking lot where you don’t have to pay a penny to park and no long lines.
**check out my pics I posted of me with my favorite must have when in HILO!
5 stars all the way!