Japanese Green Tea & Hawaii - Green Tea Sommelier`s Selfish Guide

Thanks to you and all your support, I had the opportunity this holiday to visit Hawaii for a little vacation. Even on my vacation, I just couldn’t help checking out some green tea stuff while there. As I explored more, I found that Hawaii’s trend with green tea is a little different from other places, so I decided to write this blog post just for fun to let you know what is trending in Hawaii when it comes to green tea.

I did not list and compare all of them and do research as I do with my other blog posts, so I call this post a "selfish" list of my personal favorite things about green tea in Hawaii. Enjoy. 

I keep updating this blog post every time I visit. The most recent visit was in 2023, and I updated this where I could.

New Tea Shops at Ala Moana Center

Two exciting new tea shops just opened at Ala Moana Center. When I visited in January 2021, there was a long, long line of people trying to get their tea. I hope when you get there, there will be fewer people in line.

The Alley (Inside Ala Moana Center)

The new store opened in Ala Moana Center on December 19, 2020.

The Alley is a famous bubble tea shop founded in Taiwan in 2013. The original name is The Alley Lujiaoxiang (鹿角巷). In the USA, as of January 2021, they are only available in Las Vegas and California. Now you get to try their famous bubble tea in Hawaii! Their Matcha Brown Sugar Deerioca Milk is one of the most famous lines and a must-drink for matcha lovers.

Lupicia (Inside Ala Moana Center)

Another exciting new shop that just opened in Ala Moana Center is Lupicia.

Lupicia is an extremely popular tea company from Japan. They are famous for their black tea line. They even have a school in Japan called Lupicia Tea School, where they teach about tea. Just in the Tokyo area, there are over 50 shops of theirs; they also have shops in France, Taiwan, and Australia.

This Ala Moana mall is their first store in the USA, and they carry a Hawaiian-exclusive line, probably targeting Japanese visitors. Either you are a Japanese visitor or not, I recommend trying their tea for sure.

Here is Hawaii's limited version of non-caffeine tea.

Green Tea Cafes in Hawaii 

Just like any other urban city catching up with tea shops, Waikiki is no exception. There are quite a few new tea shops and cafes everywhere to enjoy tea moments.

Nana’s Green Tea (2250 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815)

Whenever I am on the Waikiki Beach Walk, I always stop by Stix Asia (It used to be Waikiki Yokocho, which was shut down during COVID). You will almost miss this place as you walk the famous Kalakaua St. because the sign is not that visible, but if you take the steps down and enter the place, you will notice it is a paradise for Japanese food lovers.

The place is packed with many Japanese restaurants, and they are all so good.

Nana’s Green Tea is one of the shops there and serves matcha-focused drinks and sweets. (They have quite a few shops in Japan.) If you like matcha like me, there is no miss for what you order there. I didn’t order everything, but I am always satisfied with their sweets.

Infinitea Cafe (808 Sheridan St., Honolulu, HI 96814)

My favorite walk in Waikiki is the walk from Waikiki Beach to Ala Moana Center. It is a good 30–40 minute walk, and this tea shop is right in between, so I tend to stop by here for a little tea break. It is a tea-specialized cafe with lots of options.

Matcha Stand Maiko (2310 Kuhio Ave. #134, Honolulu, HI 96815)

Matcha Stand Maiko is a block away from Kalakaua Ave., but their Cheese Matcha Latte is quite good.

One wall art in Kakaako. I'm pretty sure they don't have the copyright of this monster...

Daily Whisk Matcha (1114 11th Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816)

Daily Whisk Matcha is a small yet stylish cafe in Kaimuki that specializes in fresh Matcha and Hojicha-based drinks and some mouth-watering Japanese-themed quick bites, such as Arabiki sausage rolls and fresh fruit sandwiches.

Don’t let the small size of the cafe make you doubt its quality. It has been featured in a Japanese TV show called ‘Akogare no chi ni Ie wo kaou - 憧れの地に家を買おう (Let’s buy a house in the land of our dreams) in January 2024. This popular show on channel BS-TBS airs every Friday morning and introduces spectacular locations and houses from all over the world. In its Hawaii episode, Daily Whisk Matcha stole the spotlight as its drinks were brought to the hosts of the show and introduced to the viewers.

(Sorry, bad image, I just snapped the TV show on my phone!)

Apart from the classic drinks such as Matcha Latte, Daily Whisk Matcha has some intriguing drinks, too. For example, Matcha Lilikoi Soda (their signature drink that combines Hawaii’s Lilikoi passion fruit syrup with Matcha), Matcha-cano (Americano, but with organic Matcha instead of coffee!), HAPA Matcha Latte (Hojicha + Matcha = the best of both worlds).

Their Matcha-colada is a vibe! 

More of my Favorite Tea Spots

Via Gelato (1142 12th Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii 96816)

This famous gelato shop in Hawaii has space for chit-chat and serves ice cream sandwiches and gelato cakes. Their matcha gelato is amazing and has a nice and vivid color that looks very nice—a must-visit for gelato and Japanese green tea lovers.

Shokudo Japanese (1585 Kapiolani Blvd. Kapiolani Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96814)

This dine-in Japanese restaurant is a perfect place while I am deciding what to eat for dinner. They have almost all kinds of Japanese food here, even Japanese spaghetti, and I noticed that with so many foods they offer, they only have one dessert: the Original Honey Toast. So I ordered the Matcha Original Honey Toast, and it is good. The taste looks like they used a bit of premium-quality matcha.

Honolulu Coffee (Various locations including inside A La Moana Center)

I am happy to connect with Chasity-Mae Real, Brand Manager at Honolulu Coffee, who shared about their popular tea-related items at their shop. 

Here is a message from Chasity-Mae:

"At Honolulu Coffee, we hold a steadfast commitment to crafting unforgettable tea and coffee experiences each time you grace our doors. Whether your intention is to relish our distinguished tea/coffee blends, delight in our tempting treats, or simply bask in the warm embrace of our cozy ambiance, your satisfaction remains our highest aspiration."

Honolulu Coffee offers a delightful Ube latte which is healthy and delicious. This purple yam latte is a nutritious option and perfect for those who are conscious about their health. It's vegan, low in calories, low in sugar, and gluten-free! They also offer iced chai latte, iced matcha latte, iced hibiscus ginger tea, iced green tea, and iced black tea, which are all refreshing optionsfor hot days.


Photo: Matcha Latte

Picture: Ube Latte

Step into the world of authentic Hawaiian coffee and experience the rich flavors of Honolulu Coffee.Honolulu Coffee was established in 1992 and started as a small kiosk in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii.
They offer 100% Kona coffee that's grown and processed on one of the highest-elevation Kona Coffee farms in Captain Cook, Big Island. This ensures that you get the freshest and most flavorful coffee possible.

Honolulu Coffee believes that coffee isn't just a beverage, but an experience. Their coffee beans are custom-roasted to perfection to preserve the natural flavor of the coffee and brewed with aloha, the Hawaiian spirit of love and affection. In addition to coffee, they also offer fresh teas that are uniquely blended with tropical flavors.

One of their must-try drinks is the Hawaiian latte which is made with two shots of espresso, cold milk, coconut, and macadamia nut syrup. It's a perfect choice if you love the taste of Hawaii!

Honolulu Coffee has locations in Hawaii, Guam, Canada and Japan, so you can experience the unique taste of Hawaiian coffee no matter where you are. Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover why Honolulu Coffee is known for providing the ultimate Hawaiian coffee experience.

Photo: Iced hibiscus ginger tea

 

Sad Reality of Green Tea in Hawaii

As a visitor, it is nice to have cafes to visit, but what if you live here?

I found out that it is quite difficult to find quality tea if you live here and want to enjoy tea at home. This is unfortunately true for many small cities in the USA, and that is one of the reasons our online shop is becoming quite popular.

Here is a picture of a tea aisle in Don Quijote (801 Kaheka St., Honolulu, HI 96814), one of the biggest Japanese discount shops in Waikiki. 

I am always amazed to see so many selections of all the Japanese stuff I can find here compared to Uwajimaya in Portland. (Don Quijote is probably 10 times the size of Portland Uwajimaya.) Despite the size and selection, I was very disappointed with the variety and quality of the tea they carry. I realized why we are quite popular among customers in Hawaii.

What about Souvenirs Omiyage?

Yes, I am Japanese, and I do care about souvenirs (omiyage) everywhere I go. If you know Japanese culture, you know we like gifting things to family and friends to show off and tell them about vacations.

Kona Coffee or Green Tea?

Many specialty coffee shops are paying more attention to quality tea these days, and Hawaiian coffee shops are no exception. Island Vintage Coffee (2301 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, and a few other locations throughout Hawaii) is always super popular among Japanese people for some reason, and you find a lot of Japanese customers lining up at this coffee shop. I do like their coffee, but check out this new, super nicely packaged green tea they carry now. I thought it was packaged better than their coffee.

The Last Dean and Deluca in the USA Carrying Matcha Pancake Mix

I personally love Dean and Deluca (2233 Kalakaua Ave., Building B, Honolulu, HI 96815) a lot and have visited quite a few of them in past years, including the one in the middle of grape fields in Napa.

Unfortunately, they have closed all their shops in the USA except the ones in Hawaii. Japanese people love this brand, and due to their popularity among Japanese customers visiting their shop, the Hawaiian location remains open. It is now the last shop in the USA.

The shop clerk was telling me they have a "limited edition" of tote bags that Japanese customers line up early in the morning, every morning, to get. They only sell limited numbers of these hibiscus tote bags, so there is always a line in the early morning, and most of the customers are from Japan!

I did not line up in the early morning, but I visited them this time and found this matcha pancake mix. The cloth packaging is so cute that it is my choice for the souvenir. You can officially get this anywhere else in the USA now.

Pineapple or Green Tea?

This time I went crazy with pineapple and did a Maui Gold Tour and Dole Plantation visit. (Dole Plantation, 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy., Wahiawa, HI 96786) Which one do you think won the battle? The taste of the Maui Gold couldn’t even come close to the ones from Dole, and the Dole plantation has a lot more options for souvenirs.

Other than the chocolate-covered pineapple (yummm) that I couldn’t help getting, Pineapple Green Tea caught my attention. What a great idea!

Unique Green Tea Trend in Hawaii

I always enjoy seeing the evolution of green tea trends in different cultures, and green tea in Hawaii is surely trending up with the rest of the world with its twist. Unfortunately, there are not many options for residents to enjoy traditional green tea, but the tour and visitors are shaping the unique modern tea culture here.

I cannot wait to go back to Hawaii again soon to see more trends shaping up with green tea (and for more pineapples and vacations too!).

FAQs about Japanese Green Tea in Hawaii

Where can I find authentic Japanese tea in Hawaii — beyond the obvious tourist spots? Hawaii has volcanic spring water — does that change how green tea brews? Are there any tea farms in Hawaii? Can you actually grow Japanese green tea there? What's the best tea pairing for Hawaiian or Japanese-Hawaiian fusion food? Are Japanese tea ceremonies held in Hawaii? Where can I attend or learn?

Where can I find authentic Japanese tea in Hawaii — beyond the obvious tourist spots?

On Oahu, the densest concentration is around Ala Moana Center and along Kapahulu Avenue — Shirokiya, Mitsuwa-style markets, and a few independent specialty shops in the Kakaako neighborhood carry serious matcha and sencha that's been imported recently rather than sitting on a shelf for a year. The big-box health-food stores (Whole Foods, Down to Earth) carry mostly Western brands that aren't worth the markup.

On the Big Island, Hilo's Japanese-American community has supported a small handful of tea-focused cafés for decades. Maui has fewer dedicated options — most resort hotels stock decent matcha for ceremonial demos but the casual cafés are mostly powdered-mix matcha. Kauai is the hardest island to find quality tea on.

Honest answer for any island: if you're staying more than a few days and want consistent tea, mail-order delivers fresher product than almost anything you'll find in retail. Hawaii's distance from Japan plus the heat-and-humidity storage conditions in most local shops works against tea freshness in a way you can taste.

Hawaii has volcanic spring water — does that change how green tea brews?

Yes, in mostly-good ways. Hawaiian spring water (especially Big Island deep-aquifer water) is on the soft side of the mineral spectrum — low calcium, low magnesium, slight silica content from volcanic rock. That softer profile lets premium Japanese green teas express their umami more clearly than you'd get with mainland tap. Gyokuro (玉露) specifically tastes noticeably better in Hawaii than in most cities.

The downside is that volcanic-aquifer water can occasionally have higher silica content than ideal — silica doesn't affect flavor much but can leave a faint mineral residue on glassware over time. Filtered tap is fine; bottled volcanic water is a small upgrade for ceremonial work. Our water and green tea guide covers what to look for if you want to dial it in.

If you're traveling to Hawaii from a hard-water city (LA, Phoenix, Vegas), the same tea you brew at home will taste better there just from the water swap. It's a small but real travel bonus.

Gyokuro - Shaded Imperial Premium Green Tea From $60.00 /

Everything You Need To Know About Water And Japanese Green Tea

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Are there any tea farms in Hawaii? Can you actually grow Japanese green tea there?

Yes, there are a handful of small tea farms in Hawaii, mostly on the Big Island. Onomea Tea, Mauna Kea Tea, and a few independent operators have been growing Camellia sinensis at elevation (around 1,500-2,500 feet) for the past 20+ years. The terroir is genuinely interesting — volcanic soil, frequent rain, no harsh winters — and some of the resulting teas are quite good, though usually styled more like Taiwanese or Chinese teas than Japanese sencha specifically.

Producing Japanese-style sencha and matcha is harder. The shading process for matcha and gyokuro requires labor and equipment that isn't economical at the scale Hawaii's farms operate. The steaming process for Japanese-style sencha also needs specialized machinery most small farms haven't invested in. So the Hawaiian-grown tea you'll find tends to be hand-crafted in a more open-ended style — beautiful but not directly comparable to Japanese sencha.

If you visit, several of the Big Island farms offer tours and tastings. It's a worthwhile half-day for tea-curious visitors, even if the resulting tea isn't a sencha replacement.

What's the best tea pairing for Hawaiian or Japanese-Hawaiian fusion food?

Hojicha (ほうじ茶) is the workhorse pairing for Hawaiian local food — the roasted, caramel notes match plate-lunch staples like loco moco, kalua pork, and teriyaki chicken. The mild caffeine and gentle profile won't overwhelm the food. Hojicha loose leaf or hojicha cold-brewed over ice both work.

For poke and sashimi-forward dishes, sencha (煎茶) is the canonical pick — same logic as Japanese cuisine, where sencha cuts the rich oils in fish and refreshes the palate between bites. For musubi and Spam-anything, sencha works but hojicha is more forgiving with the salt-fat profile.

Hawaiian desserts (haupia, malasadas, shave ice) generally pair better with matcha-based drinks than steeped green tea — the dairy and sugar in Hawaiian sweets clash with sencha's vegetal notes but harmonize with matcha's umami structure. A cold matcha latte is a near-universal pairing for the dessert side of local cuisine.

Hojicha - Roasted Green Tea $25.00 /

Are Japanese tea ceremonies held in Hawaii? Where can I attend or learn?

Yes — Hawaii has one of the strongest tea-ceremony cultures outside Japan, mostly thanks to the historical Japanese-American community. Honolulu has active branches of all three major schools (Urasenke, Omotesenke, Mushakōjisenke), and the Urasenke Hawaii branch in particular runs regular public ceremonies and beginner workshops out of the Honolulu Museum of Art's tea house.

On the Big Island, the Volcano Art Center occasionally hosts ceremonies tied to seasonal events. Maui has a smaller but active tea-ceremony community at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Kauai is the lightest on tea-ceremony programming but still has occasional events through the Kauai Museum.

If you're staying long enough to take a beginner course (typically 6-8 weekly sessions), Urasenke Hawaii is the most reliable entry point — they're set up for English-speaking students and the Honolulu tea house is a beautiful space to learn in. For one-off attendance, the museum-run ceremonies are usually open to walk-ins with reservation.

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