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“

“A typical Starbucks. Coffee is what I expected. Great location and easy access into the store. Lot’s of extra products to view and purchase. Nice staff. It’s cool how there is a clean ally you can sit down to escape the hustle and bustle of Waikiki and enjoy your brew in quiet.“

“This Starbucks has become my go-to business coffee-meeting spot.

I set meetings here multiple days a week to talk story with various clients, etc., because it’s conveniently located and checks all the boxes.

Unlike a lot of the newer Starbucks, this place has a limitless amount of seating (sofas, chairs, tables) and is bathed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows.

The staff is friendly and seems to recognize my name and face now from my frequent mobile orders that I initiate as I walk over from my condo.

This location is inside the lobby of the Ala Moana Hotel, not to be confused with the Starbucks inside Macys, which is nothing but a to-go counter.“

“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“

“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“

“The only major issue is that the address is not the one listed. It shares an address with the one in the mall, but according to google maps they have different addresses. So don’t make the mistake of using Google maps after you order your drink - it will send you inside the mall“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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. 😤
☕💯“

“Always great service and environment. This location always reminds me of Seattle. I can't stand coffee shops that feel like libraries. The staff here are always friendly and the turn and burn work ethic they display is my favorite part.“

“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.“

“Amazing and friendly staff, not like the ignorant and attitude filled baristas at the Starbucks down the street on Kalākaua Ave by the beach. Staff greet you and listen to your order. There is a reason this Starbucks is much higher rated than the other one. Do yourself a favor and walk to this one if you're looking for a Starbucks coffee.“

“This is the second Starbucks that we have stopped at on the island that was not complete trash. The one in Ala Moana Mall is horrible and the one in Waikiki Target is horrible but we were in a hurry and decided to give this one a chance. Davin hooked it up on our two rather complicated beverages and didn't miss a great. He memorized both whole making them then ring us up and got it all right. He is probably way to smart for this job but Starbucks would be stupid to let him go.“

“Love this Starbucks.

Staff is friendly, welcoming and efficient.

The cafe is spacious, clean, and comfortable.

And of course, the coffee is the best in the world. Their Pike Place and Guatemala roasts simply have no equal. As long as Starbucks continues to support those who produce the best coffee on the planet, I will continue to support them.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“It's a Starbucks. The baristas are rather nice, and they know their way around the product. They're quite good at making sure they understand exactly what you're ordering. (Asking if I want blonde espresso or blonde coffee was a good catch.)“

“Rock Star Team at Aina Haina
Saturday, 3/14, this location was open when all of Hawaii Kai & much of East Oahu had no power due to the Kona storm.
They were packed all day long with tired, wet, grumpy customers & they handled it like the rock star pros they are.
Don’t forget to leave a generous tip next time you visit this location. They’ve really earned it.“

“I am at this location four to five days a week as my office is nearby. The workers are wonderful and always offer great customer service. I usually grab and go, so I don't sit inside and have the concerns that others have noted about WiFi and restrooms. Because of its downtown location there will be times during the week where it is quite busy, but the team really does try to get everyone served in a timely manner. I've personally never waited too long for service at this location. This location is also pretty clean most times in comparison to other Starbucks locations I've been to.“

“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!“

“(Wife post) Had a great experience several times this last week while visiting from Kauai! The team was always kind to interact with, always made my modified drinks perfectly, and were patient with tourists who were rude, complained about prices, and didnt even know what they were ordering!!! Keep up the good work. Thank you! See you next time I island hop!“

“Drinks are always yummy. Excellent service. Plenty of tables to enjoy your cup of coffee. Hubby got the cafe mocha with was great. I got the venti iced shaken espresso and only 1 pump of syrup but was still too sweet for me and wasn’t as strong as I thought it would be. Overall it is still good. Will try without the syrup and add 1 or 2 extra shot of espresso next time.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“On the way back to our accommodation, we stopped by because we were craving a refreshing iced coffee.
The parking lot is shared with other stores, but it was spacious and convenient, which was nice.

I’m certain I ordered a Venti size, but I received a Grande instead. If the Venti size was not available, it would have been better if the staff had informed me beforehand.

There aren’t many seats, but you can sit and enjoy your drink here. I’m mentioning this because some other reviews said it was take-out only.

Some reviews mention unfriendly service, but I think it really depends. In our case, the staff always greeted us with a smile and were polite.

The coffee itself was very good as well.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

“The brewed coffee I ordered was consistently fresh and delicious--much better than what I've experienced at other Starbucks branches around Honolulu. Service was exceptionally friendly and on point. Yes there are long line ups, but that is a marker of the store's success and not its shortcomings. I enjoyed the nice outdoor seating--indoor seating is limited and quite noisy. Dates visited: 2-4 April 2026“

“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!“

“Located inside the safeway the safe is friendly and efficient, however the orders come hot and fast and if ordering at the register the wait can be long. If this is where you want to get your fix I recommend ordering on the app during shopping or ordering when you come in and grabbing it on the way out.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“We ordered a lot of drinks and they were so helpful and kind and quick! The drinks were so yummy on a hot day! Couldn't have asked for better service, they were so warm and welcoming! 10/10 would drink again! Shout out to Saia and Anna!“