Diamond Bakery celebrates 105 years of Hawaii-made treats

KALIHI (HawaiiNewsNow) – Diamond Bakery celebrated its 105th anniversary Monday, marking the milestone with a traditional Japanese sake-barrel ceremony, free treats, giveaways and guided tours at its Kalihi factory.

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A century of local favorites

Founded in 1921 by three Japanese immigrants, Diamond Bakery is known for its crackers and cookies, like Hawaiian Soda Crackers, Royal Creem Crackers, and flavored shortbread cookies.

The celebration opened with a kagami biraki ceremony, in which a sake barrel is broken to bring good fortune for the next 105 years.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi proclaimed Oct. 12, 2026, “Diamond Bakery Day.” He said his family’s favorite treats were the bakery’s animal crackers.

“What my family wanted me to take was not chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. It was the stuff my kids grew up on,” Blangiardi said.

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Marking the anniversary

Honolulu City Council member Radiant Cordero said the popularity and nostalgia of Diamond Bakery products has expanded beyond the islands.

“We see them now in places in Japan and across the continent, and that’s bringing a piece of Hawaiʻi across our oceans,” she said. “That’s 105 years of not just the ono kau kau, but of bringing people together.”

Shoppers can commemorate the anniversary with the limited-edition Founders’ Box, which features many of the original products that launched the business, including Coconut Taffy cookie, a nostalgic favorite that has been out of production for several years.

The Founders’ Box is available exclusively at Longs Drugs and Diamond Bakery’s factory store.

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