OnoPops

I love the concept of OnoPops, but didn’t love the flavor that I got. I saw their cart at the KCC Farmers’ Market and decided to try the Manoa Honey & Mountain Apple Cream (
) since our Über driver was telling us about how unique the flavor of the mountain apple is. The consistency of the pop was smooth and creamy, but the honey flavor was overpowering. I also didn’t like the combination of the honey flavor and the mountain apple, which has a rose-​like taste. However, they have a lot of other awesome sounding flavors, so I would definitely give them another try. The guy (I’m assuming the owner?) was super passionate about his products, and offered to give customers a refund or for them to exchange their pops if they (or their kids) were unsatisfied with the flavors. My only complaint is that he spent a few minutes talking to each and every single customer, so the line was taking forever! I guess this is how you can tell I’m from the mainland, I’m super impatient. Overall, I’d still highly recommend giving OnoPops a try if you haven’t already!

These are pretty good popsicles. Some are great, some are boring or taste junk. My rating is based on my overall feeling of the brand, it’s posicles, and the customer service and experience I had trying to obtain these popsicles.
So I first hear about these popsicles through Restaurant.com’s offering for a GC there. After Unilocaling and seeing good reviews, I purchased the GC. I decided to call the location to see what their hours of operation were, and found out that they are located in Kalihi/​Town area. According to Sara (I think was her name), they were only at their Kalihi location Monday through Friday 0700 – 1530 or so. They are also at the KCC farmers market on Saturdays.
We saw them at Safeway in Ewa and I picked up 4 flavors but I still had the GC to use. I managed to make it down there one day during work hours with my son and husband in tow. We fought traffic, scavenged for parking, and found our way to their suite. I was surprised as I thought it was a store front, but it is not. They apparently still sell popsicles from that location as the daily specials were on the door with the prices. I explained to the gentleman that I was there to purchase the popsicles using my GC. He explained to me that they didn’t have any ice packs, and he was weary about selling them to me with the drive back to Ewa, despite the fact that I had brought a small cooler. I kind of felt like he was just trying to get rid of me. I really didn’t want to go even farther into town on my weekend, when I was already off from work and came from Ewa just to be turned away, but I kind of felt like I had no other choice and left empty handed back to Ewa.
That weekend we made our way to KCC farmers market. I didn’t realize that it was a whole tourist thing. That place was so packed. It was like going to the Swap Meet on the weekend but like 10 times worse. Parking sucked, and there were sooo many people. We found their booth and explained that I was there to use my GC. I had to purchase $ 20 worth to get $ 10 off. We were going to get 6, but the guy said if we were to spend $ 30 (just 2 more from what I planned), we would get 3 free. So I should have gotten 12 for $ 21.50 with my GC. I paid $ 21.50, picked out my flavors but somehow when I got home I only had 9 bars, but 8 flavors as one was somehow duplicated. WHAT. THE. EFF?!
I was pretty upset when I got home as I was cheated out of some bars and unfortunately I was not about to drive all the way back to the madness at KCC to get my bars/​money back. And since it was a cash transaction at a farmers market, its not like I was given an itemized receipt or anything. Lose money… Literally.
Based off of the experience alone I would give them 1 star, but since they have some pretty good flavors, they get a 2 from me. I will still get these, but only from the store or from a location I am already at.
Here are my mini reviews of each flavor I have tried. More to come…
–Butter mocha: my favorite. They captured this flavor very well and even included some little pieces in the mix! Yum yum!
–Strawberry goat cheese: one of the better flavors. You can taste both flavors. It’s a pretty indulgent popsicle.
–Strawberry lemonade: also one of the better flavors. Simple but full of flavors.
–Lilikoi cheesecake: Neither my husband nor I cared for this one. You could tell it was lilikoi but the cheesecake flavoring got lost somewhere. Kind of bland.
–Strawberry mango (didn’t have a tag): I think this was the flavor. It didn’t have a tag on the wrapper. But you could distinctly taste the mango… and it is sooo good. I’m pretty sure the other swirl is strawberry. The flavors were kind of separated, but it was still very good.
–Triple melon (didn’t have a tag): DON’T GET THIS ONE. I don’t remember what the name is for this one, but I know it had 3 melon flavors in it. It was pretty bad. One of the flavors were pretty weak and the other 2 just tasted like old cut up melon that has been sitting in your fridge. Yuck!
–Guava chiffon: the guava flavor in the one is good, but the popsicle left this weird waxy taste on your lips and mouth. I really felt like I had used some of that original thick Carmex on my lips after eating that popsicle.
–Mango Honey Cream: this was almost like a dreamsicle with mango, and not as creamy. Either way, I really enjoyed this one!
–Green tea: I liked this one. It was a little sweet, and a little grainy. Almost like a Japanese green tea kit kat, but not as creamy. Still, was good. Would get this one again.
–Pickled mango: WOAH. This was just like picked mango. But it was just too much for me. It was sour and a little sweet, but the «pickled» sour flavor was just too strong.

I see these all over the island including stands sometimes. Have only tried the strawberry lemonade but hooked on them, prob eat two or three a month. Easily the best popsicle I have had in the world. If you ever see make sure you get one.

Delicious! Find em @ Whole Foods & on food truck round ups! So many flavors to choose from. The local fruits like lilikoi and mango rock! Some nice combinations of flavors too.

Ono pops is right! The Kona latte was recommended to me. A rich and creamy icy treat. Unfortunately, it’ll be hard to try another flavour the next time I go.

Love the farm to stick concept, but this lilikoi cheesecake pop is not good! I’ve tried other flavors and they were ok. I prefer pop bar in Anaheim or the real deal Mexican paletas.

Yummy ono pops. They have something for every taste, whether it be tart, fruity, salty sweet, milky, or chocolaty. I can always find something I like.

The innovative and fresh flavors boast local ingredients, and the texture of the pops is smooth and not icy. These pops are more like Mexican paletas in texture. And they manage to pack so much flavor into the pops, and each combination of flavors is spot on!
Two of my TOP favorites are Lilikoi 50 – 50 and Butter Mochi. The Lilikoi 50 – 50 is most like an orange creamsicle, only done by subbing the orange with passion fruit! The pop is a creamy and delicious base dipped in bright, tangy amazing lilikoi (passion fruit!) … creamy, sweet and sour, I could eat these by the pack. Foodland and Whole Foods do sell these in boxes, but they sell out fast!
Butter Mochi is another amazing feat, as the custardy flavor of butter mochi comes through perfectly in pop form, and then pieces of chewy mochi are frozen within the pop! Buttah is bettah! How DO they do it?
Another great flavor is Dark Chocolate Chinese Five Spice, which is perfectly balanced chocolate flavor with the anise flavor and aroma of five spice. Deep rich chocolate is where it’s at!
I have had lots of pops (People’s Pops in NY for one) and have always been disappointed by their icy bases, tasting just like juice that’s been frozen. Hard and not very appealing. But Joshua at OnoPops has figured out the perfect formula to make these pops creamy, soft, sweet and worthy of the flavor profiles they are named after.
Note: They were moving kitchens a while back (October 2014) and had to halt the production of some of the pop flavors, but hopefully they have sorted that all out and gotten into a bigger kitchen to make MORE ono OnoPops! Much love to OnoPops!
Get some NOW!

Love love love these!!! I live in CA and tried them while visiting my sister. Then they started selling them in the local Whole Foods. It would be great if they sold more than one flavor. I tell everyone about these!

Well overdue, this rates as a must try for me; more so than even shave ice. My first Popsicle was at the Eat the Street about three years ago when it was at the old Cutter lot. Had the guava that time which was good but didn’t really blow me away.
Fast forward to last Spring at KCC farmer’s market. I discovered a crush for passion fruit, not just in drinks but desserts too. I tried both their lilikoi ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ and lilikoi cheesecake which were both absolutely delicious! For a creamsicle experience, try the ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ which is cleaner, refreshing taste to the palate. For a richer flavor feel, the cheesecake version really hits the spot.
They have changing and seasonal flavors like kumquat this past visit. For me, once trying their lilikoi flavors, I can’t go back to anything else. Solid five stars.

Love Onopops, the workers are always so nice and amazing. Whenever I see the tent I have to go. Well worth the 3.50 for one popsicle. I can usually find them at Eat the Street and sadly can’t find them during the week, which may be a good thing, otherwise I’d be there all the time :-)

Loved their Mauna Kea Green Tea and Plantation Iced Tea pops! Winner! Felt refreshed! Pops are packed with yummy, exotic flavors. Discovered great place on wheels at Eat The Street Mililani. I am definitely returning next time to try other flavors: Dragon Fruit Chamomile and Halo Halo.

They shouldn’t even be called popsicles! It’s almost an insult! To lump them into the same category as those boxed and packaged frozen sugar sticks at the market is ridiculous!
It’s the strawberry goat cheese that has won me over. Then the POG, then the pink lemon cream. The flavors are super fabulous, and I love that they source locally grown products.
They also have all-​natural li hing powder, with no aspartame. This is the only place I have ever found it. That in itself if worth a good 5 stars.

Ono Pops! Ono Pops! ONO POPS!
Awesome name! Simple and to the point!
English Translation: Delicious Popsicles!
OnoPops Motto:
«Farm to Stick– Nothing Artificial Ever!»
My review is based on the several OnoPops I have tried over the past year. From Eat The Street in Kaka’ako to Foodland Ala Moana to Honolulu Burger Co. on Beretenia to Whole Foods in Kahala. OnoPops is kind of everywhere now. Prices are generally in the $ 3 + range.
Many local inspired flavors for your enjoyment, including:
Crack-​Seed Lemon Peel, Butter Mochi, Guava Chiffon, Honeydew Mint, Dark Chocolate Chinese Five-​Spice, Kona Latte, Mauna Kea Green Tea, Pickled Green Mango, Kula Strawberry Maui Goat Cheese, Ume Thai Basil, Mexican Chocolate, Pineapple Li Hing, Salted Watermelon Cream, oh my gosh the list is endless, etc., etc. All are refreshingly delish and realize NOTHING IS ARTIFICIAL!!!
My personal fav so far is the Lilikoi ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ and I say this because it actually tastes like Lilikoi!
I’ve also had the «special events» pops too. Pops with bacon in, etc.
Yes, I definitely recommend giving OnoPops a try. Especially if in a grocery store debating on something cold for a hot Hawaiian day! Avoid that sugary stuff and try one of these…
Can’t go wrong for $ 3 a POP!
Cheap, local, small business deserves nothing less than 5-​Stars!
I like what they stand for:
«OnoPops envisions a self-​sustaining Hawaii, where people value local goods and the people that produce them. We will showcase this in flavor after flavor, in new and exciting ways, bringing awareness of endless sustainable, local possibilities for Hawaiian tastebuds.» –OnoPops
LIVE ALOHA…
Unilocal REVIEW #217

Kula Strawberry Maui Goat Cheese OnoPop, how I miss you so! Probably my favorite frozen dessert pop ever! That and Caramel Shoyu! And Butter Mochi!
We don’t have these here on the mainland because these flavors are locally made and are organic. I first discovered them while at the Spam Festival. and no they did NOT have Spam flavored pops, but they do have Vegan ones! Anyways my mainland friends going to the island, look them up. I found some over at Foodland when we were in Haleiwa!

HOT, HUMID, AND ONO POPS
(4.5 stars)
Wish to have tried all the unique creations but for $ 3.50 a pop, next time.
HEFER STATUS
CALIMANSI CORIANDER ($ 3.50) — if you love the taste of lemon/​limes then this pop might be for you. Couldn’t really taste the coriander but it was so good. Perfect when walking around in the evening heat/​cool down at Honolulu’s Wednesday evening Blaisdel Farmers Market.
Will I be back? Yes. Hella good stuff there.
JABA APPROVED. Until the next review.

Possibly the best popsicle ever made in the world! And it’s healthy for you! I first tried these amazing pops at Eat the Street & i became so obsessed that i went to Whole Foods just to get so more.
I love milk based popsicles with «different» types of flavors. I’ve tried: butter mochi, strawberry with goat cheese, lilikoi, and vanilla pineapple. All were the bomb! But if i had to chose one it would have to be the butter mochi. Taste like the real thing!

In one sentence: These are the most ono local pops with totally unique island flavors!
Admittedly, the only flavor I’ve tried so far was the strawberry/​lemonade (no, I was adventurous enough to try the PB&B or the kalamansi coriander bar or any of their other wacky flavors), but with that much creativity and using only the most local/​organic ingredients whenever possible, I’m confident they’ll continue to at least have something that’ll please everyone in a family.
I’m really glad 808 has locals that took pops to the next level! Be sure to find them at most of the farmers markets and food cart fests!!! You would be quite remiss to skip it, especially on a hot day and when you’re already had a dozen or more shave ices during your vacation!

Local flavors using local ingredients… what an awesome concept Ono Pops has. We were happy to find them at the KCC Farmer’s Market!
Their Butter Mochi and Chocolate Dipped Tangerine was pretty good, but even better was their Caramel and Shoyu with a nice balance between sweet and salty. Give them a try when you get the chance, its WAAAY better then the name brands you find in the freezer section… ALOHA!!!

These pops are $ 3 a pop!!! But for some reason I keep buying them, even though my inner chinese lady is screaming not to. They’re sooooo addicting, and I am on a personal mission to try them all. You can find them at most Foodlands (Ala Moana, Kailua, Aina Hina are the ones I’ve seen them at) and at Eat the streets!
I’ve listed them in order starting with my favorites :)
Strawberry Goat Cheese: YUMYUM! they don’t mix it very well=genius! you get different combinations of cheese and strawberry in every bite!
Mango Honey Cream: OMG. Soooo good! My brother ended up stealing most of it after I so generously offered him ONE BITE.
Papaya Rangpur (lime) Vanilla: are you starting to see a trend? I like all the fruit flavored, dairy based ono pops…
Lilikoi ⁵⁰⁄₅₀: I was a little confused when I was buying it, I thought the vanilla part was separating accidentally, but when I bit into it, I realized it was on purpose, it is like a creamsicle with a lilikoi outer shell instead of orange. Pretty good once I realized what was going on :)
Salty Watermelon: My first water-​based pop on the list!!! I thought the combination of watermelon flavor and saltiness was perfect!
Guava Chiffon: ehhhhhhhh, its good, nothing special though. tastes like the cake lol.
Tropical Smoothie: Nothing really exciting about this one. Fruity/​creamy goodness.
Plantation Iced tea: I really wanted to like this one, but it was not sweet enough for me. I might have to try it again.
Ume Thai Basil: Sorry… not my thing at all.