One of La’ie’s smallest retail spaces is also one of its most popular hangouts–and home to one of its biggest hearts.
Angel’s Ice Cream, named after shop owner Angel Ho, was created when Ho noticed the tiny vacant shop space in the La’ie Shopping Center, just a few units down from her husband’s restaurant, La’ie Chop Suey.
“Nobody wanted to use it, because it was too small,” said Ho, explaining that the shop is a mere 100 square feet. “I thought, ‘it’s perfect for an ice cream shop.’”
Ho has done a lot with the space, placing mirrors along the two far walls to create the illusion of space, and plastering brightly colored renderings of her popular confections on the walls.
As a result of her efforts–and her temperament, which is as sweet as the treats she serves–I have never, ever seen this place empty. Inside, there is just enough space for ice cream displays, three small tables, and a line of people (that often reaches the doors or just outside).
The store’s signature treat is called Angel’s Halo, a 3-flavored shave ice crowned with condensed milk and topped with whipped cream:
“On the North Shore, everyone knows Matsumoto’s,” said Ho. “I thought, instead of having locals drive all the way out there and having to stand in the long line, I would make my own shop.” (It can take anywhere from half an hour to 45 minutes to get from La’ie to Hale’iwa on any given day–on a Saturday, forget it)
Indeed, Angel’s is the only ice cream parlor–not counting 7-11 or the BYUH snackbar–from Pupukea to Kane’ohe.
In addition to ice cream and shave ice, Ho is particularly proud of her smoothie selection, which boasts a healthy selection–not only in terms of flavor, but also because they are all low-fat, non-dairy, and made with 100% real fruit. No concentrate. The smoothies are delicious, if a bit pricey.
The store also sells candy, rice cake, and Chinese tea biscuits. It’s the perfect place to stop after hitting the beach, cleaning the yard, or bribing children…;)
Check it out (if you haven’t already)! Angel’s Ice Cream
La’ie Shopping Center (between Subway and the Haircut store)
10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Mon - Thurs
10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Fri & Sat
Closed Sunday
Despite all of the mini-scandals coming out in the past day or so about the Beijing Olympics being less than the warm and fuzzy event China envisioned, there is one thing going great, and I hope that all of the Ko’olauloans (and the rest of the state!) are paying attention.
In case you have been living under a rock, our very own Natasha Kai is on the US Women’s soccer team! Despite an opening loss to Norway, they routed New Zealand 4-0 today (it’s already tomorrow in China, though), and edged Japan 1-0 earlier on to earn a spot in the quarterfinals this Friday.
Tasha, or Tash, as her friends call her, grew up in La’ie. The Kais moved to Kahuku at the onset of high school, and she graduated from Kahuku High in 2001. Then it was on to UH, and after graduation, into the big leagues.
I should mention that she has ALWAYS been a phenomenal soccer player. I should know, since we played AYSO soccer together growing up (she’s a year older), and again in high school at Kahuku (she started; I guarded the water cooler). I have several AYSO ‘undefeated season’ trophies courtesy of Tash–uh, I mean, our awesome teamwork. Somehow, I always knew that she’d go all the way.
She has a fiery attitude out there on the field, and makes unbelieveable plays–often when you don’t expect it. Off the field, Tasha is always the loudest person within a 5 mile vicinity. She loves to pull pranks, and it’s hard not to laugh with her–she is a genuinely funny person. If her antics made AYSO and high school soccer so much fun, I’ll bet the US team has had some hilarious adventures by now.
Most of the Kai family headed out to Beijing last week to watch her play, having fundraised in the community for months in order to make it over there.
Good luck, Tasha–we’ll be watching and cheering you on every step of the way!
I recently received an e-mail from Principal Lisa DeLong about 3 Kahuku alumni currently working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. this summer. Two familiar faces were smiling at me when I clicked the link in the e-mail:
Kahuku alumni Besama Alghussein, ‘04, and Wilson Unga, ‘02. Photo from Rep. Neil Abercrombie’s Web site.
WOW! To say that I’m proud of these two is an understatement. Wilson is my classmate, and Besama (who went by Adriana in high school) was definitely one of the up-and-coming underclassmen while I was there. I remember both to be extremely sharp–well spoken, dynamic, and intelligent.
The two are serving in Rep. Niel Abercrombie’s office as summer interns, joining a third Kahuku alumnus, Anthony Ching (’03), who is a full-time legislative aide for Abercrombie. COOL!
They are all college graduates–Anthony went to Washington, Besama went to Mt. Holyoke, and Wilson to Georgetown–now doing big things at our nation’s capitol.
The three helped to give a tour of Capitol Hill to the Hawaii History Day delegation in mid-June, which included several current Kahuku students and teachers. According to Kahuku history teacher and chaperone Lorey Ishihara (one of my personal favorites back in high school), all three had great things to say about their experience at Kahuku.
This story reminds me of those commercials that run on OC16 featuring ‘”School Spirit and Personal Pride.” I still get teased sometimes here in the newsroom for my Kahuku pride–but like we say out on the North Shore: Red Raider for Life!
Congratulations to Wilson, Anthony, and Besama. Way to represent our corner of the world.
My little brother graduated from Kahuku High School last night.
How did that happen?! (So quickly, I mean )
The commencement ceremony ran smoothly (if a little rowdily, as usual), and even started on time! The seniors ran the entire show, singing the National Anthem and Hawai’i Pono’i, giving valedictory addresses, and even performing a group song and dance for the crowd adapted from their songfest routine earlier this spring.
During their performance, the seniors pulled out signs thanking parents, relatives, teachers, coaches, and various community members.
I really enjoyed the remarks given by Marie Jeanne Napa’a, the Senior Class President. It was apparent that she worked extremely hard to make sure her classmates had a memorable senior year–and from the standing ovation her classmates gave her, I’d say she did a pretty good job.
Congrats to the class of 2008!
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Of course, once the commencement ceremony ended, the madness began. The area outside the CAC was a mass of humanity struggling to find all the graduates they brought lei for. Most families made large signs to wave over their graduates, however, which definitely helped. Here is the one my sister Jamie and cousin Christine made for Evan:
The sign combines Evan’s middle name, favorite phrase, and a picture of a tako he caught while diving in La’ie.
Congratulations to the 2008 Kahuku graduates, who have been awarded over $1.7 million in scholarships to date.
Congratulations to the 6 valedictorians (those students with a 4.0 or higher cumulative G.P.A.): Ana Reidy, Nicholas Sirlin, Kristian Au, Tiffany Polk, Amanda Stratton, Carlyn Hubner, and Samantha Thee. I know how much work you put in to earn those medals!
Congratulations to my cousins who earned degrees last night: Jocelyn Beaver, To’a and Tilo Hill, Amanda Soliai, and Shiloah Te’o.
And most especially, congratulations to Evan for a job well done. I’m proud of you!
My brother Evan and I after he received his diploma.
Good luck, graduates, as you go on to college, jobs, and life as adults. Now is when things really start getting exciting. Again, congratulations!!
Happy Aloha Friday!! Have a great 3-day weekend, everyone.
Plans have been made and orders are being taken for a huge Memorial Day plate lunch sale to benefit Daniel Mapu, a Hau’ula resident who was hit by a car while waving signs in Ka’a'awa during an anti-drug campaign in 2003.
Mapu, who sustained brain injuries that have hampered a full recovery, has the opportunity to meet with a specialist in Salt Lake City, Utah. His family hopes to raise enough money to pay for his travel and treatment there.
Here is the menu–get plenty options, and hey, it’s for a great cause:
PLATE OPTIONS - $7 (good portions)
PLATE #1: Laulau, mac salad & rice
PLATE #2: Fried fish, mac salad & rice or banana
PLATE #3: Sua I’a, mac salad & banana
PLATE #4: Roast pork w/gravy, mac salad & rice
PLATE #5: Bento: spam, chicken, mac salad & rice
PLATE #6: BBQ Chicken, mac salad & rice
SIDE ORDERS - $3
Poke, Tahitian Po’e or Samoan Puligi
The sale goes from 7 a.m. until noon. Pick up is at the corner of Wahinepe’e St. and Naniloa Loop in La’ie. Just turn mauka across from Hukilau Beach–can’t miss it.
If you would like to preorder or arrange to send a donation for Daniel, please contact Kingsley Ah You.
Angel’s Ice Cream, named after shop owner Angel Ho, was created when Ho noticed the tiny vacant shop space in the La’ie Shopping Center, just a few units down from her husband’s restaurant, La’ie Chop Suey.
In case you have been living under a rock, our very own Natasha Kai is on the US Women’s soccer team! Despite an opening loss to Norway, they routed New Zealand 4-0 today (it’s already tomorrow in China, though), and edged Japan 1-0 earlier on to earn a spot in the quarterfinals this Friday.
Somehow, I always knew that she’d go all the way.
She has a fiery attitude out there on the field, and makes unbelieveable plays–often when you don’t expect it. Off the field, Tasha is always the loudest person within a 5 mile vicinity. She loves to pull pranks, and it’s hard not to laugh with her–she is a genuinely funny person. If her antics made AYSO and high school soccer so much fun, I’ll bet the US team has had some hilarious adventures by now.
