Hawaiian Chips

Hawaii.  A destination somehow *still* on my bucket list.  Yup, I now live in California, and have never been to Hawaii, even though I've had friends even move there in the past few years.  Someday.  Like I said, bucket list.

But there are parts of Hawaii that I appreciate from afar - poke, spam masubi, furikake chex mix, macadamia nuts, etc, so even if I don't know Hawaii intimately myself, I'm always up for trying something from afar.  Particularly anything in the snack foods realm, as I'm an avid snacker.  Which brings us to ... Hawaiian chips.

"Explore the always tropical and sometimes exotic tastes of Hawaiian snacks. Our Kettle Style Potato Chips and Snack Rings are crispy with a satisfying crunch—and loaded with sweet and savory island flavors!"

I was drawn in by the bright packaging and Hawaiian motifs on these chips, on display at a poke shop.  On impulse, I grabbed a bag several years ago (see original review below) and since have sought them out again.

Update Review, 2026

Ah, Hawaiian Brand chips.  I fairly recent discover for me, part of the Utz brand of products.

These are really the gold standard when it comes to the style of kettle chips I like.  Super crispy. Nicely blistered.  Some air bubbles. Super fried.  Fairly greasy.  The kind where you know they are awful for you, but they are just so delicious.  I don't necessarily want to devour a whole bag in one sitting, but, I sure do love this style of kettle chip when the craving hits.

Luau BBQ.

"Your taste buds will jump for joy when you bite into the delectably sassy, sweet and spicy flavor of Hawaiian Luau BBQ Kettle Style Potato Chips."

BBQ is often my preferred flavor of chip, so I was excited to try the Hawaiian brand version.  I'm not entirely sure what was Hawaiian about them, besides the "luau" in the name, but, they were a sweeter style of bbq, not quite as smoky as some brands, but still had great flavor.  Sweet and spicy, just like they say.  They go great with coleslaw, at least for me.  4/5.

[ No Photo ]

Sweet Maui Onion.

"Bring the flavors of Maui to your next packed lunch or backyard barbecue with these Hawaiian Sweet Maui Onion flavored potato chips. The savory sweetness of sweet onion perfectly complements the unmistakable crunch of kettle-cooked potato chips. Aloha!"

This was the original flavor I tried from Hawaiian brand chips years ago, but it had been a while since I last had them.  The chip base was exactly like all other Hawaiian brand chips: super crispy, blistered, thin, and probably my favorite kettle style chips (which aren't a style I often go for).  I loved the base chip.  And then the flavor.   I forgot just how unique that "sweet maui onion" flavor really is. Such a fascinating blend of savory spices, not zesty and leaning in the bbq direction like many other flavors, but also, not really anything like a sour cream & onion either.  Definite its own thing.  The magic combo of onion, garlic, yeast, soy and corn, whey powder, sugar, salt, and romano cheese ... it really just is its own thing.  For the times I'm not craving a bbq-esque chip, these are a complete winner.  4/5.

Original Review, April 2022

Later I did my research and discovered that Hawaiian chips are owned by Utz, the mega snack foods company that makes, among many things, some rather addicting pub mix, which of course I've reviewed before.  They make a number of different kettle chips, such as their play on BBQ, dubbed "Luau BBQ", a spicy "Hulapeño", and more.  They also make puffy onion rings snacks in several flavors.  All do try to include Hawaiian ingredients it seems.

Authentic Hawaiian chips?  Well, no, not really, but enjoyable?  Yes.

Hawaiian® Sweet Maui Onion
Kettle Style Potato Chips

"Discover a new world of flavor when you crunch into Hawaiian Kettle Style Potato Chips. These crispy, golden chips are cooked to perfection, then seasoned with just the right amount of Sweet Maui onion flavor. We have combined only the finest ingredients to create a unique chip that captures the freshness and authenticity of the islands.

Open a bag of Hawaiian Kettle Style Potato Chips and you'll imagine yourself sailing on the blue waters of the Pacific, headed toward an island of tropical paradise."

I had these early into the pandemic first summer, when I was getting really, really bored with lunch made at home.  Just when I thought I was over (potato) chips as a snack food, I discovered these.  Well, huh.  It reinvigorated my love of chips.

The chips were incredibly crispy and crunchy as advertised.  Sure, all chips are crispy, but these were ... just more crispy.  Probably the best kettle style chips I've ever had.  Clearly high fat chips too, they tasted, and looked, very fried.  But I think that is what made them great.

And then, the flavor.  "Sweet Maui Onion".  The chips were very well coated and flavorful.  The flavor was ... fascinating.  Sweet and savory, yes you could taste sweet onion, but there was more than just that going on.   It turned out to be a coating made from sugar (dextrose and regular sugar), a pile of powders (onion powder, garlic powder, whey powder), and ... romano cheese.  Cheese?  Totally not what I expected on these, and I didn't taste cheese as a standalone ingredient, but, clearly, it contributed to the overall flavor.  Really quite fascinating.

I enjoyed these, and would gladly try more flavors.

4/5.