If you happen to drive in a hot afternoon by Ono Family Restaurant in Old Kapa‘a Town and notice a small crowd there, stop, turn around and go investigate. I can guarantee that 10 times out of 10 those people
If you happen to drive in a hot afternoon by Ono Family Restaurant in Old Kapa‘a Town and notice a small crowd there, stop, turn around and go investigate.
I can guarantee that 10 times out of 10 those people are waiting for one of the best, most refreshing treats Kaua‘i has to offer: Ono Ono Shave Ice.
Courtney Sondrini is the owner of that beautiful smile breaking the ice — or melting it — at Ono Ono Shave Ice, right next to Ono Family Restaurant.
Growing up in California, Courtney already knew how to break the ice before coming to Kaua‘i. As an ace snowboarder, she can cut through fresh, virgin powder as if she was born in the snow. She moved here just six months ago, and now she has frozen and liquid water to play with.
Courtney is still getting to know the island. She spends most of her free time hiking, hanging out at the beach, and guess what: She’s trying to learn how to surf. Too bad she doesn’t have a boyfriend who surfs. In fact, she has no boyfriend. Can you already see a bunch of surfers turned surf instructors suddenly craving shave ice? I can.
As a nature lover, it was only natural that Courtney would be attracted to growing green things. She took quite a few horticulture classes during her brief stint at college. Given the latest avalanche of sustainability efforts on Kaua‘i, it looks like Courtney is the right place at the right time.
Ono Ono Shave Ice is tied to Ono Family Restaurant, one of the most traditional restaurants on Kaua‘i, especially for those looking for home-style breakfast food.
Ono Ono Shave Ice is open seven days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. It may look crowded most of the time, but the line moves fast, and a few minutes under the sun is worth it. One of their shave ices is like a personal air conditioner.