There's a reason watermelon feels synonymous with summer. Right now, Hawaiʻi-grown watermelons are hitting their stride. Farmers markets are filling up with them and roadside farm stands are stacking them high.
The thing about watermelon is that it doesn't really need improvement. A good watermelon is already one of nature's most refreshing foods. It's sweet without being heavy, hydrating without trying, and somehow manages to taste exactly like summer itself. That's probably why it shows up at backyard barbecues, beach days, graduation parties, and family gatherings year after year.
When local watermelons started arriving at peak season, we knew we wanted to build a flavor around them. What we didn't know was how to do it without getting in the way. The juice itself was incredible—bright, clean, and naturally sweet. After a few test batches, it became clear that the watermelon wasn't looking for supporting actors. It wanted to be the star.
Anyone who has ever eaten a slice knows that part of the experience is visual. There's the deep pink fruit, the pale white layer beneath it, and the green rind that frames the whole thing. Together, they create one of the most recognizable foods on the planet. Remove the rind, and a watermelon starts looking suspiciously like every other red fruit.
So instead of simply freezing watermelon juice, we decided to build the whole watermelon.
The result is Whatamelon, which returns this weekend and is one of our favorite seasonal flavors. It is also the first true "multi-layered" pop we ever made. At its core is fresh Hawaiʻi-grown watermelon, juiced and frozen at the height of the season. Surrounding it is a dual-layer "rind" made from sweet cream and sweet cream infused with just a touch of green tea. The cream adds richness, the green tea contributes a subtle earthy note, and together they recreate the visual and flavor experience of biting into a perfectly chilled watermelon on a hot day.
Available This Saturday at Kakaʻako Farmers Market
Watermelon season doesn't last forever, and neither will this flavor.
Whatamelon returns to Kakaʻako Farmers Market this Saturday featuring Hawaiʻi-grown watermelon at its seasonal peak. It's refreshing, playful, and a reminder that sometimes the best ingredients don't need to be reinvented.
