"In 1951, Matsumoto opened as a grocery store, but over the decades, its shave ice became the main draw. Shave ice now dominates the business completely. In 2015, Matsumoto renovated along with chunks of Hale‘iwa’s main drag, transforming a sleepy sugar plantation town and realm of surfers and hippies into a slick tourist destination (though the town still tries desperately to hang on to its roots). The new Matsumoto is bright and shiny and streamlined, but the essentials haven’t changed: more than 1,000 shave ice are churned out every day, each one drenched in vivid colors and (artificial) flavors. If you want to order a rainbow — a classic combo of red, blue, and yellow syrups — this is the place." - Martha Cheng
Meghan McCarron