Mochi Haven: Made in Hawaii Foods

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No, this isn't a mochi on steroids. 

In fact, this treat abides by most rulebooks but not necessarily the cookbooks. A full-sized strawberry sits comfortably in a layer of azuki (uh-ZOO-key) beans and mochi rice with an end product of Tastebuds Gone Wild, rated Y for Yum. The Made In Hawaii Foods Factory takes mochi beyond the standards of what mochi-thusiasts are used to by fattening up those buggers with a nutritious sweet.

The factory sells everything, well, made in Hawai‘i. Stop by one of their locations in Mo‘ili‘ili or Pearl City and grab a local-style snack. They’ve got cookies, party mixes, spices and more. But the shop’s most known for the variety of creative flavors it offers when it comes to the jams, jellies and mochi departments. Sweet potato haupia, Oreo cookies & cream and peanut butter chocolate – just to name a few – with liliko‘i cheesecake topping the list as its most popular.

Swarms of people constantly go in and out with a mission to stock up on mochi, almost as if they fear a mochi shortage! Others go to watch mochi makers in action on the select days, usually Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Going on these days will also guarantee you get the mochi of your choice because throughout the week, the refrigerator quickly empties.

But like everything else, when we get more of something, we oftentimes pay more. Those huge strawberry mochi cost $5.95 for a two pack while a three pack cost $6.75. This is a little on the pricier side as compared to other mochi places, but it’s the only place you’ll find this particular flavor.

Made In Hawaii Foods is not only remembered by its delicious snacks but by being the target of arsonists several years ago. The original Aiea factory burnt down in 2003, and since then, the company rose from the ashes to be (Re)Made In Hawaii. 

NEW MO‘ILI‘ILI FACTORY OUTLET / Open Tues-Fri, 11am-530pm; Sat-Sun 11am-4pm; Mon-Closed / 2071-A S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96825 (Map) / 808-947-9022 / Free parking; Near bus stop

PEARL CITY FACTORY OUTLET / Open Tues-Fri, noon-5pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-3pm; Mon-Closed / 98-718 Moanalua Road, A18, Pearl City, Hawai‘i 96782 (Map) / 808-484-0052 / Free parking; Near bus stop

Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Local grindz

September 17th, 2012