Island Style Cuts

Great place get hair cut. Family style. But call for appointments. Anty know you coming over

The place is professional and clean. The woman who cut my hair was attentive and showed interest on the style i wanted. recommended

DISCLAIMER: Non-​satirical review.
I’ve been coming here for over a decade, and not just because it’s nearby. In high school when I was going through my grungy punk rock phase (which, to be honest, never quite ended… I just grew up and toned it down), I got my hair dyed red here and they put quite a lot of time and effort on it yet charged me their standard rate even though my hair needed to be bleached beforehand. They also made home visits for my grandparents when they were infirm and couldn’t make the trip to the salon itself. It’s that kind of treatment that makes this place special.
What else makes Island Style Cuts special to me is Shirley. She knows my stubborn, bulky hapa-​Japanese hair better than anyone and spends a lot of time layering it and making it sit just right. All I have to do is shampoo it, run a brush through and part it, and let it dry and it sits perfectly all day. It’s like magic. I uploaded a photo of myself on my profile specifically for reference for this review. I haven’t had another stylist be able to do it nearly as well (some don’t even try to thin it out properly like this, claiming that I «have ‘Hapa Hair’ and it just won’t behave that way»), yet for her it appears effortless at just under a half hour. And I wear my hair long. I usually don’t come in until it’s down to my shoulders and will have it cut about nose-​length as it grows very fast, yet she still charges me the male price even though it’s more akin to cutting female hair. Both rates are very good for the work she does (at the time of this review, it’s $ 18 for men and $ 25 for women), and she even throws in a shampoo beforehand if I haven’t had time to wash my hair prior to coming in.
The décor, though completely unimportant to me in a salon, must be acknowledged. The place has changed quite a bit over the years, but it’s always had a great sense of style and Feng Shui. As of my most recent visit, there’s a new layout with freshly painted walls and new furnishings and artwork. It’s really impressive for a local mom & pop business, which made it all the more annoying that when the new Hawaii Five-​O filmed here they brought in a bunch of kitschy «Hawaiian» stuff to dress the place up. Why even bother shooting on location in Hawaii when they can just create a set like that in L.A.
Island Style Cuts is a staple of Honolulu. The space next to it has had a dozen places go out of business, sometimes within weeks (nearly all of them restaurants… seriously, what is it with restaurants on Kapahulu? It’s as if the food industry on this avenue was cursed by a native Hawaiian resident a hundred years ago whose home was uprooted and family died as a result all so a rich entrepreneurial settler could open a café that only served white people), but this place remains standing, and for very good reason. I hope it continues serving the community for more decades to come, and when I am in Honolulu, I will continue to patronize it.

I just received my first cut at Island Style from Chris. It was a great experience! I’m trying to grow out my hair, but just needed my short style cleaned up. He knew exactly what to do and even let me edit at the end, changing the look a bit to my liking. Now I have a cute little A-​line! I appreciated the local «talk-​story» from this store-​owner of 17 years. Now that’s «Island Style» if you ask me. Looking forward to returning for my next cut. :)

$ 25 for women’s haircut, no wash. Made an appointment. Took about an hour. Ample street parking, but I walked, so didn’t matter. Paid cash. I donated my hair, so I needed a minimum 10 inches cut off. I usually get the 10 inches chopped off in a ponytail all at once, but this time, Chris straightened my hair and cut it off bit by bit, because he said that chopping all of it off at once in a ponytail would make the length really uneven (and the resulting haircut afterward would therefore be even shorter), and I had requested the resulting hair be long enough to put up in a stubby ponytail to play sports. I usually don’t go for straight hair because my hair is naturally curly/​wavy, but this apparently allowed the end hair length to be about 2 inches longer. I was a little concerned about how the haircut would be after I washed it, and my hair returned to being curly, but Chris told me to just come back if there were any odd spots, and he would fix it. I was very pleased the next morning (after washing my hair) to see that the hair was indeed curling again, but in a surprisingly nice and controlled way. Have not been this pleased with a haircut since I saw a 1000 yen ($ 10) haircut sign from a bus in Japan and hopped off. I’d say this one is even better because it’s shorter, which makes my hair curl more, and therefore more difficult to cut nicely. Great cut that exceeds the quality of pricier salons. Would definitely go back after growing back another 10 inches.

Did my haircut exactly how I asked it to be done. Plus did modifications I thought of at the end to perfection.

Been coming her off and on, but will make it a regular stop now after reminding myself why they are so good. Great cut and friendly staff. Highly recommend.

Shirley is the best! Cute little barber, very warm and welcoming. I walked in without an appt at 6:05 (they close at 6:30) and she still took me! It was my first time here so I didn’t know what to expect, but shirley was very nice, and conversated a lot and made me feel at ease. Loved my cut, loved the price, love this place! Will definitely be back!

Great hair cut– they know what they doing !!
The place is old looking place but the most important is the final result on your head :)

I have been coming here for several years, now. Recently, the prices for woman’s haircuts jumped from $ 18 to $ 25. I was definitely not digging the new price for a simple cut and considering Supercuts or fantastic sams charged less, I was seriously considering calling it quits.
But the months rolled by and my thin splitted ended hair grew longer and longer. I watched my friends get their cheap hair cuts at supercuts and cringed at the lack of detail their precious hairs received.
So, I considered these options:
$ 19 + tip haircut at megachains via Supercuts/​Fantastic Sams. You gamble on who you get.
$ 40-​$ 80 + tip haircuts from amazing salons with results that would have you coming back in 8 weeks time, anyway.
$ 25 + a $ 5-​$ 7 tip haircuts from Shirley or Chris who take roughly an hour to do a girl’s hair. It’s not Hollywood-​amazing but the layered hair style they deal with is noticeable, simple, and have you pretty satisfied until your next due date. I won’t lie, I haven’t seen much styling variation from Shirley or Chris but I appreciate the time and efforts they put in to work tour hair.
If you’re looking for a specific and sophisticated style I suggest dishing out some cash at K’s Hair.
But if you’re not as picky but don’t want to end up with a tasteless haircut at the hands of inexperienced or inattentive stylists, come here.
I am a fan because Island style Cuts…
1. Has great parking lot. Situated at kamaaina acupuncture there’s rarely a full lot. If they are full… No harm done, just park at Safeway and walk a minute across the street.
2. The place is so inviting. You step in: it’s air conditioned, the styling utensils are being sanitized, everything is warm in colors, hardwood floors, charming guppy vases, and you just don’t feel uncomfortable. There’s so much simplicity yet personality in this cozy storefront.
3. They really care: Shirley and Chris, anyway. They take the time and if you talk to them during you haircut they make you feel at ease. I love having Shirley. Spending about an hour on your hair makes you feel pretty special. That’s why I came to the conclusion their price hike is actually fair.
–My tips? Be specific on what you want and never be vague. They are not mind readers.
–Always tip in cash. I generally give $ 7. But a good minimum amount would be $ 5 and up. They do take credit and debit.
–Take a look at their hair products. Some of them are worth buying and they’re usually at a reasonable price.
–Don’t be the last appointment of the day. Generally if your stylist doesn’t feel rushed they will take more time with you. This is just my opinion/​experience.
–Call! They do walk ins but because they are so popular
there’s hardly any room.
Have a happy hair day!

If you want a local haircut, this place is perfect for you (hence the name). Chris has been cutting my hair since I was around 8, and I’m 24 now.
Overall Impression:
— Decent price
— Very clean environment
— Free parking around the corner
— Friendly customer service. They always answer the phone and greet you when you walk in.
— Great, fast cut (I usually get my haircut from Chris, but Shirley is also great. She’s very meticulous and ensures the cut is smooth and even.)
Tips:
— Try to make an appointment beforehand. They get super busy and that way you can walk right in and get your cut.
— Google map the location beforehand. Turn by Genki sushi and parking is over the wall next to waiola shave ice.

Shirley and Chris make this place feel like home. they are excellent stylists and have never let me leave with a bag over my head! Professionalism at is best. as a guy i would highly recommend both Chris and Shirley for routine haircuts. I can’t say anything about women/​girls. Why goto a chain branch when you can support this small business for the same price?
located in kapahulu across from Safeway, parking is in the back off the side street

I recently got a full face wax from rob. I was really impressed with the salon as well as the customer service. Shirley always makes me feel welcome! Rob did an excellent job on my wax, I was very impressed with his talent! Looking forward to going back

First time going to Island Style Cuts and was very pleased with the results. I had Rob style my hair, and he did a great job (apparently it was his first day at the shop as well). I’ll be back the next time I’m in Hawaii and in need of a haircut.

Great service and Shirley is always accomodating. Cant’ beat the price for a men’s haircut…

I had my first great hair cut in two years here tonight, won’t be going anywhere else. Went to Unilocal to find somewhere nearby that took walk ins and this was on my way home. Shirley did a fantastic job and was a joy to talk to. Couldn’t recommend more.

Small barber shop run by Shirley & Chris. I’ve been coming here for the past 2 years now and Chris does a perfect job every time! He’s quick too, and pays attention to all the small details. The pricing is decent, costs me $ 20 each time (tip included). Remember to make a reservation beforehand (though walk-​ins welcome) because it can get pretty busy there. It’s located across the street from Safeway on Kapahulu. There’s parking in the back.

It was like a wave of feathers caressing each strand of hair on my head. The graceful clip here, the playful noise of the buzz there. If this was Ancient Greece, this would be the place even the almighty Zeus would get his beard trimmed.
Ok, it wasn’t like THAT, but I have to say that this was one of the most gentle haircuts I’ve ever received. Round of applause for Shirley. Unless most places (especially the chains), they always tug too much on the ear, or jerk your head around if it’s too low or high, etc. I’ve even had a few haircuts where they’ve nicked my hear and then gave me some tissue saying unapologetically, «Sorry ’bout that.»
Point is, I didn’t even wince. Going to the haircutters is a necessity, and for some a chore, but it MUST be done. But after Shirley’s gentleness, it makes the dullness of getting a trim not seem that bad after all.
EDIT: MAKE A RESERVATION! They do accept walk-​ins, but during my haircut, most were turned down. Glad I called a few hours ahead of time!

If I could give zero stars I would. I brought my hubby here thinking the good reviews will reveal a good haircut. Boy was I wrong. First it seems they only know how to cut your hair one style. My hubby has thick straight Asian hair. We asked for a trim, maintaining the back length because if it gets too short it will stick up. We were very explicit with this. In the end the back was cut short and the sides were very uneven. I had to deal with a very unhappy hubby for the whole week.
He doesn’t take the time to fade your hair.
If you want a crew cut and or you are in the military then come here.

Don’t know why anyone would consider this place. Not friendly and bad cuts.
I tried it twice and was dismal both times.
Would recommend A’s on King Street near Sheridan instead.