Hello everyone, i just wanted to mention that Donnas cookies was sold in 2008. The cookies shop was never inhereit by the "son"as previously mention in a comment. It was first own by Donna and her husband, then her parents took ownership as Donna moved on. As they got older,it became hard for them,so in 2008 they sold it.
Kalei K.
I'm writing this review in the hopes of not only helping to support local businesses but also to show how excellent customer service goes a long way. I live on O'ahu and frequent Times Supermarket in Honolulu. They sell Donnas Cookies there and I will often grab a jar of the chocolate chip cookies. Often, I would bring them home to find some of the cookies broken which I didn't mind because the cookies are too good to pass up, until last month. As usual I purchased a jar and by looking through the clear container the cookies all seemed to be in tact. Much to my dismay, when I opened the jar, it was crumbs, literally 85% of the cookies weren't whole and just small pieces. Livid, I went to their website and wrote a heated email demanding compensation. The following day, I called them directly and asked to speak with a manager. Chet Kamimura took my call and apologized ad nauseam for letting me down and disappointing me. He explained that their business does their best to guarantee quality and quantity, adding that they do not use preservatives in their product which would help to keep the cookie whole. He explained, "when the product leaves our stores, we do our best to pack as many cookies in to the jar (whole) but during shipment, the products may fall causing the cookies to break inside..." Feeling like a heel for my e-mail, I didn't want to ask for anything as I now understood their position and, Chet was right...there's just no way to guarantee the cookies wouldn't break during transport and handling. But, what he did next made me a customer for life. He took down my full name and address and hand packed not one but TWO JARS of the assorted cookies and shipped them to me complete with a "FRAGILE HANDLE WITH CARE" sticker on the box. I wasn't expecting the two jars, much less the personalized apology and his sincere attention to making it up to me. In Hawaiian, there is a word which often doesn't receive the attention it deserves. The word is "MAHALO" and while many will flippantly use the word, Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier so eloquently phrased it like this. Mahalo, in its essence means it is because of you and what you have done for me that I am in a state of gratitude....that my whole being is grateful. So to YOU, Mr Kamimura, I say MAHALO PIHA....I am filled with gratitude for what you have done. You've made me a customer for life. So to anyone who is looking to support a local business, trust and know that Donnas Cookies is truly worth the investment.
Tom M.
Donna's cookies are buttery and delicious but I agree with Jasmine's post. So sad that this company has the worst customer service. Locals are very loyal to companies who produce products that they have grown up with but there are other companies on the Big Island that I can be loyal to that provide delicious cookies and excellent customer service. Aloha goes a long way!
Jasmine G.
Donna's Cookies has been a household name for many, especially those of us residing on the Big Island. During a recent purchase, I encountered the "son", who was obnoxious, entitled and had the customer services skills of a gnat. Perhaps, he should take a few classes on Marketing. He's fortunate that he "inherited" an all ready established business, which requires him to do most "nothing". It's the cookies that sell. Humility runs through the veins of our island. He has absolutely none.
Kiana S.
Delicious buttery goodness cookies ! A must stop for Hawaii gifts to take home or a gift to share. Stopped by the famous Donna's cookies to pickup a fresh bucket of Almond cookies for a special gift. The location is Super easy to go to , literally on the right side off the highway ( driving into Hilo direction ) in the small town of Paauilo. The service was friendly and freshly boxed up so quickly. I highly recommend to pick up your favorite cookies here from Peanut butter cookies, shortbread, chocolate chip, coconut and more.
Ta'sa M.
Love the cookies, I don't think I have a favorite, I love them all!! And I love that's made right here in Pa'auilo
Cathy C.
This place is a gold mine. They are literally a small "house" on the side of the road. We stop here every time we are on the Big Island. The ladies that work in the front area packaging are so sweet and friendly. Found out they actually sell the "broken" cookies in a skippy peanut butte jar for $3.50. The pricing here is much netter than in the stores: $5.00 for a package (8 cookies). We usually get the red lid jar ($14.50) to take home.
Judy C.
How Donna's Cookies got started became a legal cooperation on April 10, 1988 and has been going strong ever since. Prior to that, the founder, Donna Fry (Kamimura) would make cookies, sushi and other local favorites and sell them at Farmer's Markets in Waimea where she grew up. There was so much of a demand for the cookies that she opened a certified kitchen in Honokaa to bake the cookies. After a couple of years she moved to her current location in Kainehe Village near Paauilo. I love Donna's Cookies, what a treat when we receive them as gift at the office or when I get to purchase them at Long's, Don Quiote, or Time's here on Oahu! Donna's cookies was on my co-worker's list to visit before heading to Hilo. We made a stop, along the way from Kamuela on a Saturday but sad the hours of operations are M-F, 6:30 am - 2 pm. Atleast I got to see the shop and take photos, that makes and sales the famous, yummy cookies! Hope to be able to visit during the week days to grab me tons of my favorite buttery cookies straight from the source! A Must visit when you're here, but warning the cookies are very addicting!!
Irma N.
Surprising little stand in the middle of nowhere easy to find people are friendly and the cookies are delicious definitely worth a stop
Antwan W.
Real deal operation here. Absolutely delicious. We literally smelled the deliciousness in the air, made a u-turn and followed our senses. This establishment won't disappoint. Nothing fancy.......just some people baking cookies, telling you "you'll be back," and grateful tastebuds. These are not the best cookies that I've ever had, however, their the best cookies I've ever had in Hawaii. I ordered candied sprinkles, oatmeal and macadamia (my favorite). The pricing was reasonable considering that everything else that I've purchased here has been pricey. (8-10) cookies for $5 each pack. My three packs ran me $15 even for (24-30) cookies in all. This is what happens when you Hawaii hop lol.
Great Cookies! Very accommodating sold me cookie I wanted just before closing and wasn't disappointed with the product I bought.
Ranjit S.
Best cookies I have had. Can't just stop at eating one cookie, I finished the whole packet. A must try if your in town.
Marty M.
We travel all over in Hawaii looking for these Delicious "ONO" Cookies!! We went to their shop and asked them to send these cookies to the Mainland! The owner said they Can't! :(
Calvin L.
I haven't been to the actual store, but I recently bought my first big plastic jar of Donna's Chocolate Chip Macnut Cookies at Foodland. These cookies are a danger to my health. After that first jar, I've bought and gone through maybe four of them now (and sent some to family not living on Oahu). (And, this is in the span of.. weeks.) Why are they so good?! Do NOT try if you don't want to develop a cookie addiction. Seriously though, these cookies are crazy good. If only I could stop shoving them into my mouth!!
M L.
Did you recently change the recipe. The chocolate chip cookies used to taste really home-made delicious. It is now hard as rock & taste like any other store bought cookie. Yuck! Sadly not a fan anymore.
Hello everyone, i just wanted to mention that Donnas cookies was sold in 2008. The cookies shop was never inhereit by the "son"as previously mention in a comment. It was first own by Donna and her husband, then her parents took ownership as Donna moved on. As they got older,it became hard for them,so in 2008 they sold it.
I'm writing this review in the hopes of not only helping to support local businesses but also to show how excellent customer service goes a long way. I live on O'ahu and frequent Times Supermarket in Honolulu. They sell Donnas Cookies there and I will often grab a jar of the chocolate chip cookies. Often, I would bring them home to find some of the cookies broken which I didn't mind because the cookies are too good to pass up, until last month. As usual I purchased a jar and by looking through the clear container the cookies all seemed to be in tact. Much to my dismay, when I opened the jar, it was crumbs, literally 85% of the cookies weren't whole and just small pieces. Livid, I went to their website and wrote a heated email demanding compensation. The following day, I called them directly and asked to speak with a manager. Chet Kamimura took my call and apologized ad nauseam for letting me down and disappointing me. He explained that their business does their best to guarantee quality and quantity, adding that they do not use preservatives in their product which would help to keep the cookie whole. He explained, "when the product leaves our stores, we do our best to pack as many cookies in to the jar (whole) but during shipment, the products may fall causing the cookies to break inside..." Feeling like a heel for my e-mail, I didn't want to ask for anything as I now understood their position and, Chet was right...there's just no way to guarantee the cookies wouldn't break during transport and handling. But, what he did next made me a customer for life. He took down my full name and address and hand packed not one but TWO JARS of the assorted cookies and shipped them to me complete with a "FRAGILE HANDLE WITH CARE" sticker on the box. I wasn't expecting the two jars, much less the personalized apology and his sincere attention to making it up to me. In Hawaiian, there is a word which often doesn't receive the attention it deserves. The word is "MAHALO" and while many will flippantly use the word, Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier so eloquently phrased it like this. Mahalo, in its essence means it is because of you and what you have done for me that I am in a state of gratitude....that my whole being is grateful. So to YOU, Mr Kamimura, I say MAHALO PIHA....I am filled with gratitude for what you have done. You've made me a customer for life. So to anyone who is looking to support a local business, trust and know that Donnas Cookies is truly worth the investment.
Donna's cookies are buttery and delicious but I agree with Jasmine's post. So sad that this company has the worst customer service. Locals are very loyal to companies who produce products that they have grown up with but there are other companies on the Big Island that I can be loyal to that provide delicious cookies and excellent customer service. Aloha goes a long way!
Donna's Cookies has been a household name for many, especially those of us residing on the Big Island. During a recent purchase, I encountered the "son", who was obnoxious, entitled and had the customer services skills of a gnat. Perhaps, he should take a few classes on Marketing. He's fortunate that he "inherited" an all ready established business, which requires him to do most "nothing". It's the cookies that sell. Humility runs through the veins of our island. He has absolutely none.
Delicious buttery goodness cookies ! A must stop for Hawaii gifts to take home or a gift to share. Stopped by the famous Donna's cookies to pickup a fresh bucket of Almond cookies for a special gift. The location is Super easy to go to , literally on the right side off the highway ( driving into Hilo direction ) in the small town of Paauilo. The service was friendly and freshly boxed up so quickly. I highly recommend to pick up your favorite cookies here from Peanut butter cookies, shortbread, chocolate chip, coconut and more.
Love the cookies, I don't think I have a favorite, I love them all!! And I love that's made right here in Pa'auilo
This place is a gold mine. They are literally a small "house" on the side of the road. We stop here every time we are on the Big Island. The ladies that work in the front area packaging are so sweet and friendly. Found out they actually sell the "broken" cookies in a skippy peanut butte jar for $3.50. The pricing here is much netter than in the stores: $5.00 for a package (8 cookies). We usually get the red lid jar ($14.50) to take home.
How Donna's Cookies got started became a legal cooperation on April 10, 1988 and has been going strong ever since. Prior to that, the founder, Donna Fry (Kamimura) would make cookies, sushi and other local favorites and sell them at Farmer's Markets in Waimea where she grew up. There was so much of a demand for the cookies that she opened a certified kitchen in Honokaa to bake the cookies. After a couple of years she moved to her current location in Kainehe Village near Paauilo. I love Donna's Cookies, what a treat when we receive them as gift at the office or when I get to purchase them at Long's, Don Quiote, or Time's here on Oahu! Donna's cookies was on my co-worker's list to visit before heading to Hilo. We made a stop, along the way from Kamuela on a Saturday but sad the hours of operations are M-F, 6:30 am - 2 pm. Atleast I got to see the shop and take photos, that makes and sales the famous, yummy cookies! Hope to be able to visit during the week days to grab me tons of my favorite buttery cookies straight from the source! A Must visit when you're here, but warning the cookies are very addicting!!
Surprising little stand in the middle of nowhere easy to find people are friendly and the cookies are delicious definitely worth a stop
Real deal operation here. Absolutely delicious. We literally smelled the deliciousness in the air, made a u-turn and followed our senses. This establishment won't disappoint. Nothing fancy.......just some people baking cookies, telling you "you'll be back," and grateful tastebuds. These are not the best cookies that I've ever had, however, their the best cookies I've ever had in Hawaii. I ordered candied sprinkles, oatmeal and macadamia (my favorite). The pricing was reasonable considering that everything else that I've purchased here has been pricey. (8-10) cookies for $5 each pack. My three packs ran me $15 even for (24-30) cookies in all. This is what happens when you Hawaii hop lol.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great Cookies! Very accommodating sold me cookie I wanted just before closing and wasn't disappointed with the product I bought.
Best cookies I have had. Can't just stop at eating one cookie, I finished the whole packet. A must try if your in town.
We travel all over in Hawaii looking for these Delicious "ONO" Cookies!! We went to their shop and asked them to send these cookies to the Mainland! The owner said they Can't! :(
I haven't been to the actual store, but I recently bought my first big plastic jar of Donna's Chocolate Chip Macnut Cookies at Foodland. These cookies are a danger to my health. After that first jar, I've bought and gone through maybe four of them now (and sent some to family not living on Oahu). (And, this is in the span of.. weeks.) Why are they so good?! Do NOT try if you don't want to develop a cookie addiction. Seriously though, these cookies are crazy good. If only I could stop shoving them into my mouth!!
Did you recently change the recipe. The chocolate chip cookies used to taste really home-made delicious. It is now hard as rock & taste like any other store bought cookie. Yuck! Sadly not a fan anymore.