Starbucks in Honolulu

“I visited this Starbucks today 2/19/2025
the woman at the front register - Birdie is very pleasant and kind. I need to give her high praise. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the board with all of the various military patches was heartwarming. She was also wearing a shirt AFN - Armed Forces Network loved that too. Overall a good and warm welcome from Birdie and this Starbucks location“

“Starbucks drive thru!
Actually, when I order here, I always park nearby and walk to pick up the order, but when I went to the drive-thru for the first time, I realized how smooth and convenient it was, and wondered why I had to walk to pick it up...🤪
I thought it would take a while, but it went pretty quickly and the wait wasn't that long!“

“This is one of the best Starbucks ive been to in the world! They aslo take rewards, are super friendly and male quality beverage. The store is clean and inviting and HUGE withq variety of seating options. Way to go partners of the Ala Moana Hotel Starbucks! #onceapartneralwaysapartner“

“On fri 3/20 about 1230pm I went to the kam shopping center starbucks and a rude lady customer couldn't decide what she wanted. Brandon the batista, who was so friendly described what the drink she questioned about. All he said was I just want to make sure I make what you want and she went off! Wanted to leave a bad review. This location always give good service. Alot of customers after the lady left wanted to leave a good review for Brandon. He was so accommodating and patient with the lady. It's so sad that sad people like that rude customer lady take out her frustrations on people who just trying to make a living and work Hard.So to Brandon and the other baristas on his shift awesome job! Aloha Beba“

“Went in there...fast friendly and efficient...got my order correct and was out of there in 3 minutes. Great place to grab coffee and chill. Had to park across the street but had plenty of parking spaces. Great place...id recommend it to anyone. Don't forget to tip your barista..they are doing you a service of making your coffee.“

“There are two other Starbucks in Hawaii Kai, but this is the closest to me so my family will frequent this one! They seem to have most of the hot foods and desserts available at most Starbucks, as well as the merch. Located in a Safeway that’s undergoing renovation, so this is a welcome addition!“

“As soon as I walked in I was greeted which isn’t very common in most Starbucks unfortunately. Other Starbucks could take a learning experience from this one. It doesn’t take much no matter how busy it is for you to look up and say “hi”. I ordered the“

“There's something deliciously perverse about paying $9.16 for a matcha latte while sitting 50 yards from where some of the world's finest coffee grows. At the Starbucks nestled in the Outrigger Reef Beach Resort, this cognitive dissonance isn't a bug—it's the entire point.

The drink in question—a venti matcha latte turbocharged with six scoops of matcha powder—arrives like a fluorescent green accusation. At $2 extra for caffeinated lawn clippings, it's less beverage than performance art, a liquid manifestation of tourist excess that would make a Japanese tea master weep.

The setting could hardly be more apropos. The café's curved ceiling undulates overhead like architectural seasickness, its LED strips attempting to evoke ocean waves but achieving dental office futurism. Below, terrazzo floors stretch toward windows framing Waikiki's vertical colonization.

Outside, palm trees stand between concrete towers like botanical prisoners. Tourists clutch teal bags and tap laptops, having traveled 2,500 miles to recreate their suburban coffee shop experience, only with better weather and worse WiFi.

The genius isn't in the coffee—which tastes exactly like every other Starbucks, a feat of supply chain consistency bordering on miraculous. The genius lies in its perfect encapsulation of modern tourism's greatest paradox: the desperate desire to travel somewhere exotic enough to Instagram, yet familiar enough to never feel truly foreign.

Consider the economics: that matcha monstrosity costs more than many local workers earn per hour, consumed by visitors who could walk five minutes to taste coffee grown in Hawaiian volcanic soil but choose Seattle-style predictability. It's gentrification in a cup, colonization with oat milk alternatives.

The customer base treats the space like a tropical WeWork, ordering drinks with legal document complexity while actual paradise unfolds outside with embarrassing obviousness.

What's most fascinating isn't the price gouging but the psychological comfort this place provides. In an age where authentic travel experiences have become luxury commodities, there's something almost touching about tourists who simply want their morning coffee to taste like home, even if home is a mass-market chain.

The baristas execute their corporate choreography with remarkable grace, transforming base materials—overpriced milk, caffeinated powder, tourist desperation—into liquid comfort.

As I sip my own contribution ($4.50 cold brew, still highway robbery), a shirtless man in board shorts strolls past, salt-crusted from an actual Hawaiian experience. He glances at our climate-controlled bubble with what might be pity or envy—hard to tell which would be worse.

This Starbucks succeeds precisely because it fails so spectacularly at being Hawaiian. It's a monument to the modern traveler's deepest fear: that paradise might be too paradise-y, too real. Better to pay premium prices for familiar mediocrity than risk the discomfort of actual discovery.

The curved ceiling pulses with its LED heartbeat, and somewhere in the distance, Kona coffee farmers tend plants that grow Earth's finest beans. But here, in this air-conditioned temple to cognitive dissonance, the only thing growing is the profit margin on green powder.“

“This is the best Starbucks I've ever visited. I really appreciate the baristas- they're caring and professional, and take the time to know the customers. Even when the lines get long (such as when a meeting or class gets let out), they move the line along quickly and efficiently- and despite getting yelled at by some customers, they manage to smile through it with the utmost professionalism. I want to also give a special thanks to the morning/day crew, who write words of encouragement and positivity on our cups- this little act of kindness really brightens my day.“

“Visit us on October 24, 2024 from 19:30.

Ala Moana Center Target
It's a Starbucks on the second floor.
It's a place that's hard to explain lol

compact cozy
It was a shop (●´ω｀●)

I haven't bought anything (lol)

Go with target main,
I just stopped by☆

It was empty.“

“The staff at this location are so kind. I look forward to coming by every morning while I’m here on vacation. Cat is especially kind and makes you feel so welcome. Kindness makes such a huge difference, and it is prevalent at this location :)“

“I always enjoy coming to this Starbucks. The staff is consistently friendly and welcoming, and they make an effort to get my order just right every time. The drinks are always fresh, well-prepared, and taste just the way I like them. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to grab coffee, catch up with friends, or get some work done. It’s clear the team takes pride in providing great service, which keeps me coming back.“

“I came to Starbucks today by myself, which is quite rare, considering that I'm usually here on behalf of my girlfriend while she waits in the car or I go inside with her. Nothing against Starbucks, I just don't consume that much caffeine on a regular basis.

Anyways, with that said, I will say that team here is particularly friendly in comparison to some of the other locations. This isn't just on Oahu, but in the mainland as well. While they do get busy, I don't think that they feel as bogged down as some of the other crazy locations like Kahala so they can be a little more friendly.

Besides friendliness, we haven't really run into any issues with the accuracy of our orders. I bring that up because my girlfriends drink is particularly complex and it has to be remade about 50% of the time and other locations. Here, it's only happened a few times.

If the staff is reading this, thank you for everything that you do (making sure that my other half is properly caffeinated and not cranky lol).

Sidenote, I haven't really hung out here before, but as I was writing this review, I noticed that I kept getting kicked off the Wi-Fi. I'm not sure if it's because some of the seats are far away from the main door or if it's just a router at this location. If you plan on working here, I'd probably opt to sit inside so that there isn't too much interference with regards to the Wi-Fi connectivity.“

“Extremely well run for how packed they get. Even have some one come around with a tablet when it starts to get crowded, to link current orders with members that have arrived and are waiting.

Parking: Parking is available in the Plaza lobby. Just be midnfull that some drivers don't practise parking lot etiquette.

Wheelchair accessibility: All one level area, wide doors and marked pathways for safety!“

“One of the smallest Starbucks on Island. Friendly customer service. Unexpectedly generous on the servings, for some reason. Pretty laid-back, servicing mostly Hospital personnel. Located in the food court on the first floor, Oceanside. You'll go down a long hallway, and end up in a larger room. It is next to the subway.“

“Good news! They just got one of those new brewing machines. No more waiting for them to brew a pot or do a pourover. Seems they're rolling out these machines, which can make 2 individual cups at a time. Fast, fresh and consistent strength and flavor. It has 6 types of beans, of which 2 are dark roasts. One is Verona and the other is a featured dark roast, currently Anniversary.

Not only that, Sbux has apparently rejected plastic cups in favor of compostable cups. So your water is going to come in what looks like a white hot coffee cup.

The restroom inside the store is open to customers. There are some small tables inside but the back of the branch still remains blocked off. They definitely need more tables.

Mid-afternoon sees gaggles of young, cute girls as well as a couple old men.

Now that the Park Shore branch is history, this is the only company-run unit on Kapahulu.“

“A very nice and cozy Starbucks. I love the patriotic art woodworks on the wall. There are no issues with my order and waiting time. The staff is friendly and did a great job making my drink. All the Starbucks on the military base that I visited are tax-free. This Starbucks charges taxes.“

“My drink tasted very good, but there just wasn't enough of it! Ordered a Venta size drink with light ice, but the cup was 2/3 full of ice, nice ice though. Got about 6-7 sips before it was just all ice. Maybe the baristas could pay a little more attention to the orders. In fairness, after walking back past the store and saying something to the barista he did offer to make another drink, but by then all I wanted was water for my ice.“

“The baristas, especially Kanoe, we’re extremely kind and hard working ! She noticed that I was getting my morning coffee before work , so she asked if I wanted my coffee warm instead of hot so I can start sipping on it onnnn the way to work!! I really spectate their customer service and made the start of my week so much better (:“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I just have to say, my visits to the Hawaii Kai Starbucks are always a positive one.✅

I am there morning before work and I’m instantly wrapped in a warm and inviting atmosphere. What I love most is that they greet everyone by name—it makes the experience feel so personal! The baristas are incredibly friendly and welcoming; they always go the extra mile to make sure my order is perfect. 😤
☕💯“

“I cannot express how much I love this Starbucks, every staff member is personal goal and friendly. There's nothing corporate about this location when it comes to The vibes. The food is fresh and tasty, and the staff is incredibly courteous and thoughtful.

I stopped in to grab a few gifts, on Christmas when I didn't even expect them to be open. The staff didn't seem upset about it at all, and met me outside the door to give me my order when I went to take the gifts to my car.

I cannot say enough kind things about this location. This location is unforgettable because of the people in it.“

“Starbucks at Kahala Mall is a cozy spot with fast, friendly service. Efficient staff keeps the line moving. Great for coffee and work with free WiFi. Drive-thru is quick but can get busy. Ample parking and outdoor seating add charm. Highly recommend for a quick caffeine fix or casual meetup.“

“As This Is INSIDE the Hospital CAFETERIA, IT'S CERTAINLY Very Clean -- even THE Toilet.

Vegetarian options: a few BREAKFAST Items ; MOST Pastries are Vegetarian -- BUT, PROBABLY, NOT Vegan !

Kid-friendliness: There are PLENTY Tables in the MIDDLE of the (hospital) Cafeteria -- INSIDE where Starbucks is located ; seemingly, There Is A CORNER for Kids or people To Exercise.

Parking: UNSURE the Charges.“

“Many cafes in Waikiki are open in the morning.
Available after dinner time

It goes without saying that Starbucks has great taste,
Kuhio Street Reserve
The atmosphere was different from other Starbucks stores in Waikiki, and it was a very quiet and relaxing space (at night).

The walls of the seven Hawaiian islands and the wide selection of original goods are also attractive.“

“The Starbucks here is great! Drinks we ordered were made as ordered, tastes like any Starbucks. What separates this location from other locations to me was the friendliness of the staff. They work hard and we appreciated their service. The work stations looked very clean. The staff here today appears to care about their working station. Awesome job!“

“Near gate two Alaska Airlines area, top notch service. I came in to one Starbucks and they didn't have java chips so they made me a mocha frap. I find a Starbucks close to me hate and they did havevthem so they swapped out my drink - no issues. I believe the barista's name was Jazmine. They were quick in making my drink and made my day just a bit brighter.“

“I had a really bad coffee this morning at the Starbucks at LAX, so I left a negative review. Starbucks replied and told me to get a new drink at any location with no cost. When I transferred at Honolulu airport and the Starbucks here made a new drink for me. The staffs are so friendly, patient and also the drink is more professional than LAX’s. Thanks for the good service.“

“Great location for a quick coffee fill!

Located in Salt Kaka'ako, its easy to see from the street. Lots of parking in front available for stays shorter than 30 minutes. Bathrooms on site as well as tables and chairs for those that need the space.
Staff are nice & the service is pretty quick too!“

“It's a little hit or miss depending on staffing and who is making your drinks. One tall gentleman with dark brown hair was making picture perfect drinks while the other female barista seemed to be having a rough day. Two of our drinks were completely ice, two sips of liquid. Went back to show the star barista and he remade one of our drinks and apologized.Place is so busy. Staff seems to not have time for being friendly.“

“Long lines by 7a, however there are 2 cashiers and 4-5 baristas plus support staff. So the wait is reasonable. I'm in and out in less than 10 minutes with 3 drinks. When I first saw the line I thought I'd be here much longer. Staff is extremely thorough and pleasant considering they have to deal with a mob on a daily basis. I'd loose my mind.“

“The area is quite cozy and everyone there has been nothing but friendly to me. If you're looking for a nice place with friendly workers and a nice drink I recommend here. Joseph a great fella who makes great drinks for me and people I bring along.“

“Great food and coffee like other Starbucks. Small pickup place and has an option to order as well. There are seatings as well. Great service, friendly staff. Eco friendly, they don’t use plastic cups, even iced drinks come in paper cups. I had their cake pop, jalapeño chicken wrap, ice coffee. All good.“

“Well - first of all - its a Starbucks.And last of all, its a Starbucks.The staff are friendly, the drinks are your typical starbucks drinks, only difference is there isn't a crazy line like there would be in the city back in mainland (thank god).I don't know why people are upset about this place, as they're just your typical airport startbucks but slightly better! Its by G1-G4!“

“Whenever my family and I goes grocery shopping we always visit this Starbucks location as their service is superb, staff were all very patient, friendly, they greet customers with a smile and I like how they make my coffee because I can taste my coffee or my chocolate unlike with the location in Ala Moana kinda beside the laser spa their drinks were all bland, ask for extra shots still the drinks were bland. That’s why we stopped going there and rather walk that far and go to this location (Keeamoku). I also love it when the staff draw a Keroppi on my cup, Keroppi was actually my favorite character from Sanrio. You made my day!“

“Really nice workers and they get things done fast. The hours are limited to campus hours and no Saturday or Sunday hours. They also don't redeem Starbucks card rewards, but they do take phone and card payments. They get busy around 9 and around lunch, otherwise there's not a long line.“