Paradise Ciders Returns to Townside With a New Taproom

Photo: Alexander Gates

More than three years after closing its Kalihi taproom to move to Mililani, Paradise Ciders is back near town. Its new location near Honolulu International Airport is both a taproom, opened in late August, and a production facility. “Ever since we had to close our original spot, we got constant messages about being too far from town,” says Shaun Peck, co-owner of Hawai‘i’s only dedicated cidery. “Since we knew the strong following was there, we took an ‘If you build it, they will come’ attitude to make something cool that people would come check out.”

Photo: Alexander Gates

Peck and business partner Kasey Sulheim, who met while bartending at Yard House in Waikīkī, launched Paradise in 2012. Noticing there were no local ciders on tap, they set out to make their own. The operation outgrew its space in Kalihi and moved to a much larger bar location in Mililani in 2023. That remains open, though production has moved to the former Pint Size ice cream space on Koapaka Street along with a new taproom.

Photo: Alexander Gates

The new taproom has fun Hawaiiana decor, including classic glass ball lights and surfboards. Seating is at electric green picnic tables, and there are games like cornhole and giant Jenga. It’s all free street parking, and there’s plenty. “We’re family-friendly, pet-friendly, always have dog treats and water bowls,” Peck says. “We didn’t want this to be as polished as our Mililani pub, more a backyard BBQ vibe with reasonable prices.”

You’ll find Paradise’s canned and draft ciders fresh and on tap here, with 16 beverage choices, including seltzers, hard teas, hard lemonades and the non-alcoholic Keiki Cruiser pineapple soda. Signature ciders include Lei’d Back Lilikoi, Mango Daze, Guava Lava and Kickit Ginger. Rotating seasonal ciders include mango li hing, with all-natural li hing mui in a glass rimmed with cane sugar. There are fresh fruit purées to add to teas and lemonades, though space limitations mean no hard liquor, ice or cocktails. Ice-cold filtered water is available on request.

Beers include canned selections from Hana Koa Brewing, Honolulu Beerworks and Maui Brewing, among others. “They’ve all been generous with us over the years to keep us on tap,” Peck says. “We wanted to do the same.”

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Food options? Thursdays through Saturdays, Buns Gone Wong pops up with smash burgers and tots. Sundays will feature a rotation of food trucks, TBD.

Draft drinks at Paradise will be available for growler fills soon ($20, or $30 to purchase a growler + fill), with rotating $10 fill specials. The full core range of canned ciders and seltzers is available in 6-packs for $15, the former undergoing a makeover with new unified art by @OneVibe.

Plans are in the works for Sunday night bar trivia and tours of the cider brewery, with educational and tasting components.

One more thing: Paradise Ciders is still expanding. Specifics are under wraps, but it’s opening a third, smaller location in another part of O‘ahu in late 2026.

Thursday to Sunday 4 to 9 p.m., happy hour 8 to 9 p.m., 3057 Koapaka St., Mapunapuna, paradiseciders.com, @paradiseciders

Alexander B. Gates, a BJCP Certified Beer Judge and Cicerone Certified Beer Server, is a regular contributor to Frolic Hawai‘i. @alohastatebeer