The summer temperatures are rising, and I’m looking for any excuse to beat the heat with a cool treat. HItalian recently invited me to check out the store during a media event, and its shave ice was so deliciously refreshing that I wanted to explore other unique spots around town. The next time you need to chill out, try these options.

A taste of new york

HItalian Ice (3 Aloha Tower Drive Ste. 1301) features specialty Italian shave ice made from real, all-natural ingredients. Choose from one of the dessert shop’s signature bowls or opt for the DIY option. The latter is especially fun, since you can choose from HItalian’s variety of ice flavors (apple, mango and more) and toppings (like granola, chocolate and kiwi). Call 808-566-0011, visit hitalianice.com, or check out @hitalianice on Instagram to learn more.

Next level shave ice

Ice Monster (2255 Kuhio Ave.) is famous for its light, fluffy, cotton candy-textured shave ice that’s popular in Taiwan. These frozen ice blocks feature real fruit and are shaved into “fresh sensations” like mango, strawberry and coffee. Hawaii-exclusive flavors include matcha — served with panna cotta and black sesame gelato — and papaya, which comes with tapioca boba. Tip: Show your state ID for the 20% kamaaina discount. For more info, call 808-427-7443 or find @ icemonster_hi on Instagram.

Out of this world

You can easily spot the Milky Way Hawaii truck in Kakaako (710 Pohukaina St.) around Mother Waldron Park. It’s a hot spot for boba, milk tea and shave ice, as well as drinkable “Snowthies,” or fresh fruit smoothies with snow ice shaken into them.

The milk tea shave ice ($6), comprising snow ice, boba and housemade brown sugar, is the most popular flavor. Milky Way prides itself on its brown sugar syrup and unique process of cooking the boba, resulting in tender tapioca balls.

Call 808-463-8110 to order ahead and follow @milky_way_hawaii on Instagram for updates.

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta’s column features a variety of tips and insider knowledge about Oahu’s dining scene. Follow Kelli on Instagram (@kellishiromabraiotta).