Kohala Coffee Co. — Restaurant in Hawaii

I’ve been to this café a few times a week for years and generally enjoyed the drinks, but my most recent experience left a bad taste — and unfortunately, it’s enough to keep me from returning.

I ordered a 16oz oat milk lavender latte, which was already a steep $7.85. I asked for no ice and was told that would be an extra $1.50 — just to fill the cup with more oat milk instead. So $9.35! Apparently a new policy. That charge felt not only excessive, but honestly unfair.

From a customer and business perspective, it doesn’t add up:

Ice costs the shop next to nothing — and with ice, I actually get less product. Replacing that ice with oat milk might cost the café 20 to 30 cents, yet I’m charged five times that. I would’ve been fine with a reasonable upcharge (maybe $0.50) — but $1.50? That feels like I'm being penalized for not wanting watered-down coffee. Even worse, it’s short-sighted. The café made an extra dollar, but lost a repeat customer who was more than willing to pay premium prices — just not for poor treatment or bad math.

I really hope management reconsiders this policy. Good coffee matters — but fairness and respect matter...

I stopped in there this morning on a whim as I was leaving Malama Market. I saw the poster for the Shamrock Frappe and was intrigued. I ordered that frappe and asked to substitute the milk for soy milk which it says is available right underneath the poster for this frappe on the menu but was told by the employee that came out and took my order that they no longer do that because they use a frappe base. She said the base was lactose free but when I asked if it was gluten free, she said that she didn’t think that anything they had there was gluten free. I said, “Well, coffee is gluten free.” And she kind of got annoyed with me and asked if I wanted her to check if it was gluten free and I said yes. She came back a minute later and said that she could not say for sure that it was gluten free. This employees attitude and dismissal of my dietary restrictions was very rude and annoying to me. I also was annoyed that the poster said something that was no longer true. To top it off, you all should know what is in the products you are selling to your customers. I was very...

If you're seeking an oasis in the steamy heat of Pahoa, Hawaii, look no further than Kohola Coffee Company! Nestled in the heart of this vibrant town, it's a sanctuary of cool comfort amidst the tropical warmth. Air conditioning? Check. Finally, a place where you won't melt into a puddle!

But that's not all that sets Kohola apart. Picture this: you stroll in, craving your caffeine fix, and what do you find? Not a single smelly, grimy punatic in sight! Say goodbye to those encounters at the kava bar down the road. Here, it's all about good vibes and even better brews.

Now, let's talk coffee. Kohola doesn't mess around. From rich, velvety lattes to bold, kick-you-into-gear espressos, they've got it all. And let's not forget the ambiance—think laid-back Hawaiian vibes mixed with the hum of espresso machines and friendly chatter.

So, why do we keep coming back? It's simple really. Kohola Coffee Company isn't just a place to grab a cup of joe—it's a refuge from the chaos of Pahoa, complete with icy air and a punatic-free zone....