April 9, 2023 | Leave a comment Shave ice, a popular frozen treat that originated in Japan, has been enjoyed around the world for its unique texture and refreshing taste. While the dessert is commonly referred to as “shaved ice” in many parts of the world, it is spelled as “shave ice” in Hawaii, where it has become a local specialty. The reason for this spelling difference lies in the history of the dessert’s introduction to Hawaii. Shave ice was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants in the early 1900s, who introduced their traditional dessert called kakigōri to the island. Over time, the dessert was adapted and evolved into what is now known as shave ice in Hawaii. In the Japanese language, the word for shaved ice is pronounced as “kakigōri” and does not include the sound of the letter “d.” When the dessert was first introduced to Hawaii, it was likely referred to as “kakigōri” by the Japanese immigrants. However, as the dessert became more popular and widely adopted by locals, the name was eventually shortened and adapted to “shave ice.” The spelling without the letter “d” is therefore a reflection of the dessert’s Japanese origins and the language’s pronunciation. It has since become the accepted spelling in Hawaii and is now widely used to refer to the popular frozen treat. To conclude, shave ice is spelled without the letter “d” because of its Japanese origins and the way the word is pronounced in the Japanese language. This spelling has become a part of the dessert’s unique identity in Hawaii, and is now recognized and celebrated by locals and visitors alike. =)