The primary difference between Hawaiian shave ice and snow cones is the texture of the ice. Snow cones are crunchy and made with crushed ice that's molded into a ball before being topped with flavored syrups. Hawaiian shaved ice is made by ice that has been shaved into a fine, powdery consistency.

As far as frozen treats go, shave ice in the Islands is delightfully simple. It's an iconic food enjoyed by Hawaii locals year round, and a must try for visitors.

Learn about the colorful history of shave ice in Hawaii. Today, it's one of the most popular places to get shave ice in the Islands. There's often a line of people out the door waiting to get a bowl of mounded, finely shaved ice, covered with rainbow-hued syrups.