Finding O‘ahu’s Last Two Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Bars

I grew up in a household of sweet tooths. There was always a sheet of cookies in the oven or a half-eaten pan of brownies in the microwave, a butter knife sticking out of its aluminum foil covering. Still, nothing at home came close to what I really craved: self-serve frozen yogurt.

As a painfully quiet kid with picky eating habits, the idea of going to a store and assembling my own dessert without saying a word to anyone aside from a quick “thank you” was revolutionary. I couldn’t imagine a better way to explore the sweet world beyond my house.

As I got older, going out for froyo became less about avoiding people and more about connecting. At first I went with my mom and sister, then I’d stop by Menchie’s with my teammates after cheer practice at Mililani High School, and now I take study breaks with my best friend at the Yogurtland near our campus. Trading secrets and late-night thoughts over our carefully constructed bowls, I realized that froyo had become my love language.

But fast forward to the present. Menchie’s, Yogurt Mama, I Love Yogurt, Tutti Frutti, Yogurt Temptation, Island Yogurt: On O‘ahu, they’re all gone. Froyo bars were a fad—one that defined my childhood, but a fad nonetheless. The market oversaturated, and when COVID hit, it collapsed.

So I’ve been on the hunt. I’ve scoured the island and found what appear to be the last two self-serve yogurt bars on O‘ahu. Here’s how they stack up.

Cherry on Top Frozen Yogurt

Part of a small chain from California, the island’s only Cherry on Top is at Pearl City Gateway, tucked into a corner near Foodland and Oh My Grill.

Photo: Annabelle Ink

On a Monday afternoon, nearly every bench and table is taken. Apparently, I’m not the only one who still loves self-serve frozen yogurt. Families, groups of teenagers and young couples filter in and out as I build my bowl.

The flavors rotate, and today’s are mainly fruit-based: Hawaiian Delight, Dole Whip, Lychee Tart, the works. There are also Blue Vanilla and Strawberry Samurai brand flavors. As with most self-serve froyo places, you can swirl adjacent flavors.

I eventually settle on Taro and Lychee Tart, because the combination sounds intriguing (if a little odd). My friend tries the Strawberry Shortcake and Vanilla.

Photo: Annabelle Ink

Next is the fun part: toppings. Cherry on Top has two topping bars—one with chopped fruit, cookie dough, cheesecake and brownie pieces; the other with chocolate, candy and cereal. You can scoop your own toppings or purchase a pre-packaged container for 75 cents.

I choose to scoop, adding M&Ms, rainbow sprinkles, white chocolate chips, cookie dough and Oreo crumbs to my swirl. My friend opts for mochi balls, cheesecake, cookie dough, graham cracker crumbs and chocolate sauce.

Photo: Annabelle Ink

You pay by weight, with each ounce costing 73 cents. My 10-ounce bowl is $7.18 with tax—probably one of the better-priced bowls I’ve had in my extensive years of yogurt eating.

I give Cherry on Top points for reasonable pricing, topping choices and neighborhood-friendly atmosphere. The only thing I don’t love is today’s flavors. I would love to see more dessert flavors (like the Strawberry Shortcake) among the fruity mix.

Open Monday to Thursday 12 to 9:30 p.m., Friday 12 to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 1140 Kuala St. #112, (808) 454-444, @cherryontophi

Frost Kailua

This place is everything I could ever want in a self-serve yogurt bar. I might even rank Frost above the Yogurtland in my college town in California, and that’s saying something.

I take my dad with me as it’s a bit of a drive to Kailua from Mililani, but it’s definitely worth it. I’m blown away as soon as I walk through the snowflake-covered doors.

Photo: Annabelle Ink

It’s as if Willy Wonka and Elsa have teamed up to create a magical yogurt ice palace (yes, I am 21 years old). On one side, a sparkly blue wall is lined with 12 yogurt flavors—everything from Triple Chocolate Brownie and Matcha Latté to Chocolate Peanut Butter and Birthday Cake.

SEE ALSO: Sweet Treats: Kailua’s New Ice Cream Parlor Has One Request

Like Cherry on Top, Frost has two topping bars. Rows and rows of stacked plastic containers line the bigger one, featuring sprinkles, dried fruit, chocolate and candy. The drizzles at the end of the bar include everything from marshmallow to honeydew.

Over on the second bar is an array of fresh fruit, full-sized chocolate, cookies and—my favorite—scoopable cookie dough. An M&M dispenser nearby offers one last burst of sweetness.

Photo: Annabelle Ink

My bowl—a Cookies & Cream and Birthday cake base topped with pastel-colored M&Ms, Oreo crumbs, chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles and cookie dough—is 10.8 ounces. At 99 cents per ounce, it comes out to $11.31 with tax. I eat it on one of the big blue couches in the store.

Photo: Annabelle Ink

I give Frost points for everything. It has all of the things that a frozen yogurt bar should have—unique flavors, a seemingly never-ending array of toppings and comfortable seating. There’s even a kids’ corner with games and extra seating, as well as a small shave ice bar (although I don’t see anyone head there).

It is a little pricier than other yogurt places, but entirely worth it. I’m already thinking about my next drive to Kailua for another bowl of froyo.

Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., 43 Oneawa St., (808) 263-3368, @frostkailua

Annabelle Ink is HONOLULU Magazine’s Society of Professional Journalists intern for the summer of 2025. She majors in English at Pomona College.