Our Founding Farmers Ice Cream Shop
Hawi, HI • ★ 4.5 (657 Google reviews)
The Story
Stepping into Our Founding Farmers Ice Cream Shop, the retro parlor hums with a comforting, familiar cheer, whisking you back to simpler times with its charm. The air is sweet with the promise of handcrafted delights, each scoop a creamy, dreamy taste of pure joy. Here in Hawi, every visit feels like a sun-drenched afternoon spent savoring the best of Americana, one delicious treat at a time.
From the Counter
Recent Google reviews
Dani
★ 5 • 2 months ago
This place was amazing and the customer service made it even better!!! Atticus and Jacqueline were so kind and welcoming. I’d done a lot of research before our trip the area and was so excited to stop in. It can be hard when you read reviews and then the experience doesn’t live up to it but this was far and above what we were expecting. One thing that I really appreciated was when we entered, we were immediately given samples. We never had to ask, they just started handing us samples, explaining the flavors, the company, etc. It almost felt like a private tasting and they did a wonderful job exceeding expectations. We are a bit of ice cream snobs having had access in our home state to some of the best small creameries in the country and this place could go head to head with the best of them. Each flavor was unique, well balanced, and tasted incredibly fresh. We will definitely be back and I hope they’re able to expand because this is the quality of ice cream we would pay to have shipped home!! So so good. Thank you again for the wonderful visit and awesome service!
Jake
★ 5 • 3 weeks ago
We stopped here after an awesome hike at Pololu Lookout. They offered us several samples, all of which were great. Icecream is all made their and with fresh ingredients.I stuck with my fave and it was TASTY! They have some nice outdoor seating.
Mohamed Nainar
★ 5 • a month ago
A Must-Visit Gem in Hawi! Farm-Fresh Perfection!! If you are anywhere near Hawi, you absolutely must stop by Founding Farmers. This place delivers a truly exceptional, farm-fresh ice cream experience that stands out from any other scoop shop on the Big Island! We tried a mix of unique flavors, and every single one was absolutely fantastic: Ginger Snap: Perfectly spiced with a wonderful, crisp bite. Spicy Chocolate: Rich, decadent, and featuring just the right amount of kick to elevate the chocolate. Papaya Sorbet: Incredibly refreshing, vibrant, and bursting with authentic tropical flavor. Cherry: Deeply flavorful, creamy, and satisfying. Beyond the incredible ice cream, the folks working in the store were super nice, welcoming, and passionate about what they do. You can really taste the quality and care in every scoop. It’s a wonderful, authentic local experience—highly recommended!
Keith Warshany
★ 2 • 2 months ago
Been here 3 times now on various trips to the island. The ice cream is, as others have said, spectacular. The 3rd trip was my first experience with the “bald” fella behind the counter, who is allegedly the owner. I brought a group of 7 people in and we had driven a distance to get here and I made a beeline for the restroom while others in our group started tasting ice cream - I was harassed and questioned about who I was there with and whether or not I was purchasing ice cream. I witnessed them generously offer samples that had not even been requested to customers only then to refuse to serve samples to select customers who preferred not to sample the ones that had been offered previously. Ultimately, my wife sampled 3 flavors and I sampled none and we decided to just share a cup between the two of us. Mind you, the others in my party purchased over $50 worth of ice cream but we were nevertheless scoffed at by said bald fella because we opted to share a single cup. This was - hands down - one of the least “aloha” experiences I have ever had in months worth of travel to the Hawaiian Islands. It left enough of a negative impression that I would consider withdrawing future support for a company that seems to be led by someone with some severely antisocial tendencies. I will note that we have had great experiences with other staff members. The young gal with the bleached blonde hair was as friendly and hospitable as she has been on our prior visits. I’m sorry to say that phenomenal ice cream does not earn someone a free pass and permit you to be so disrespectful and/or excuse emotional instability. Stay in the back and make ice cream and leave the customer service to the mature adults.
