Kay's Crackseed brings Hawaii traditions to customers nationwide
A family-run crackseed shop in Honolulu is turning 50 next year and now ships its local snacks to former residents across the mainland — good news for anyone missing the taste of home.
- Kay's Crackseed has operated at Manoa Marketplace, an Alexander & Baldwin property, since 1977 and is run by the founding family's relatives.
- Its best sellers are li hing licorice, the football plum, and rock salt plum, some of the oldest items on the shelf.
- An online store was built for people who moved away from Hawaii, with free shipping on larger orders.
- The shop also sells ice cake, a different take on shave ice, plus seeds, gummies, and cuttlefish.
Outlook: The 50-year milestone arrives next year, with new promotions planned around it.