The Story Behind Maui’s Famous Guri Guri Dessert

The century-old Tasaka Guri Guri in Kahului serves up scoops of sweet nostalgia.

Tucked away at the Maui Mall in Kahului, a quaint and vibrantly colored corner shop named Tasaka Guri Guri takes patrons’ palates on a nostalgic journey. After more than a century in business—and 50 years in this space—the family-run business continues to serve its signature frozen dessert, one only found on Maui.

Not exactly sherbet but not quite ice cream either, guri guri is in a category of its own. Each scoop boasts a silky-smooth consistency paired with a flavor profile that seamlessly blends creaminess with a refreshing fruit-forward base.

Just one bite transports born-and-raised Maui locals like myself back to their childhoods. For me, it unlocks memories of stopping for a couple of scoops while running errands with my parents or after trips to Fun Factory on days out with my grandma.

Tasaka Guri Guri at Maui Mall in Kahului. // Photo by Aaron K. Yoshino

Originally named “goodie goodie,” as in it’s something good to eat, this delicacy was ultimately dubbed guri guri ​​​​because it was easier for ​older ​Japanese patrons to pronounce.  

The shop has always only served two flavors: pineapple and strawberry. The latter has long been a customer favorite, but a lot of folks opt for a mix of both.  

Although there are plenty of copycat recipes floating around online—which list ingredients like lemon-lime soda, guava juice and condensed milk—Cindy Tasaka-Ing, president of the company and great-granddaughter of founder Jokichi Tasaka, says they’re weak imitations of the real thing. The original recipe remains a well-kept secret that’s been passed down through four generations of the Tasaka family.  

But guri guri wasn’t always the star of the show.  

“It started as a Japanese confectionery store,” Tasaka-Ing says, referring to the first iteration of her family’s business called Tasaka Confectionary Store. At the original shop, guri guri was served alongside a variety of Japanese treats, including senbei (rice crackers), mochi (rice cakes), yōkan (red bean jelly) and kanten (jelly derived from algae). The focus on guri guri came after her father, Henry Tasaka, took over operations.  

“When I was growing up, I remember we were at the Kahului Shopping Center, and then we would have to sleep there because my grandma used to watch us,” Tasaka-Ing recalls, noting she’s maintained that ​​tradition by ​sometimes ​sleeping in the back of the company’s current location. “This is where our kids grew up, too. On the side, we’d make a little play area for them just during the day.”​​

The shop has been run by the Tasaka family since it opened more than a century ago. // Photo by Aaron K. Yoshino

A true family business, Tasaka-Ing and her sister, Gail Saito, were taught the art of making guri guri by their uncle, making them the sole keepers of the family’s culinary legacy. “We’re the only two that know it now,” she said. (Her sister is the vice president of the company.)  

Another enduring aspect of guri guri is its affordability. Despite inflation, the entire cash-only menu remains priced under $10—with the exception of quarts that are specially packaged for interisland travel. The smallest size is two scoops ($1.80); larger options, like the five-scoop ($4.45) and full quart ($9) cost a bit more.    

For more adventurous eaters, the shop’s Instagram features photos of customers who’ve accepted the challenge of consuming 20 or more scoops of the frozen treat.  

Could you eat 20 scoops of guri guri? // Photo by Aaron K. Yoshino

Although the family intends to keep almost everything about their business the same, it did make one recent addition to the menu: a flavor of the month that is only available in quarts, while supplies last. Flavors have included ube, coffee, liliko‘i (passion fruit), lychee and Key lime.  

The idea to experiment with specialty single-batch flavors was born after Tasaka Guri Guri, like many other local businesses, faced unprecedented challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. The storefront closed for nearly five months before reopening on Aug. 10, 2020.  

Extra safety measures were put in place and are still being adhered to, including the installation of a plastic barrier, face masks for the workers and a sign in the window that requests only one family enter the shop at a time.  

Tasaka Guri Guri’s dedication to quality service has not gone unnoticed. Throughout the years, the mom-and-pop shop has been recognized by, among others, the County of Maui, which commended the shop for its more than 100 years of service and commitment to the community as well as its preservation of Japanese culture.  

To this day, Tasaka-Ing and her family are devoted to upholding core Japanese values like perseverance, hard work and honoring one’s family legacy. “Just keeping with the traditions … we don’t want to sell it or anything,” Tasaka-Ing says of any future plans. “We’ll keep it in the family, and we’ll see how it goes for the next generation.”  

This frozen delight isn’t just a delicious treat, it’s a cultural cornerstone and a revered piece of the Maui community. And if the next generation is like the last few, Tasaka Guri Guri will be preserving sweet memories and tasty traditions for decades to come. 

Tasaka Guri Guri, 70 E. Ka‘ahumanu Ave., Kahului, (808) 871-4513, @tasakaguriguri  

This story was originally published in our Spring 2024 issue. Buy a copy here.
Lead photo by Aaron K. Yoshino