Magic Pineapple Shack is a place where dreams come true. Located in a hidden corner of a tropical island, this whimsical shack is a beacon of enchantment and wonder. As soon as you step inside, you are transported to a world of magic and mysticism. The air is filled with the sweet scent of pineapples, and the walls are adorned with colorful tapestries depicting fantastical creatures and scenes. The shack is run by a mysterious and eccentric individual known only as the Pineapple Wizard. Rumor has it that he possesses ancient knowledge and possesses the ability to grant wishes.
A chocolate shop in Mendocino I wanted to visit was closed for a 15 minute break, but I stumbled upon another chocolate shop just a short wa.
The tiki hut shop, wedged between businesses along Waianunue Avenue, has a large menu on the wall and pictures of the family as it has grown over the years. It ranked side-by-side with Connecticut s nutella s mores french toast tower, Colorado s glow-in-the-dark cotton candy, Arkansas fried pie and the other state winners.
Rumor has it that he possesses ancient knowledge and possesses the ability to grant wishes. Visitors to the Magic Pineapple Shack come seeking guidance, divine intervention, or simply a taste of the extraordinary. Inside the shack, shelves are lined with jars of powder and potions, each with a label promising a miraculous outcome.
Business Monday: Hilo business’ Aloha Açaí Bowl makes America’s 50 best over-the-top treats
Hilo business owners Lokelani and Cämu Wetzel were excited to see one of their tasty creations — the Aloha Açaí Bowl — featured in the latest Food Network magazine as Hawaiʻi’s winner in its America’s 50 best over-the-top treats.
It ranked side-by-side with Connecticut’s nutella s’mores french toast tower, Colorado’s glow-in-the-dark cotton candy, Arkansas’ fried pie and the other state winners.
For years, the Aloha Açaí Bowl has been a fan favorite of the Wetzel’s business, Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack. The smooth, deep-purple blend of açaí is topped with pineapple, bananas, strawberries, homemade granola and a drink umbrella, all arranged in a half pineapple.
“Rather than being slapped together, I thought: ‘How pretty can we make this thing?'” said Lokelani Wetzel.
Aloha Açaí Bowl from Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack in Hilo was featured in Food Network magazine’s July/August 2023 edition. (Photo courtesy: Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack)
Watching customers, phone-in-hand, take photos of the Aloha Açaí bowl before devouring it is a highlight for the business owners.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD“I don’t know if we’re the best in the nation, but it’s definitely the best açaí bowl in Hawai‘i,” Lokelani Wetzel said.
While the smoothies and açaí bowls are beautiful and delicious, at the heart of the Hilo business is a couple who took a chance on an idea and started a business and family in the process.
It was 2014. The Wetzels were living in New York City and had just had their first child, Makani. Lokelani Wetzel, born and raised in Puna, got the idea to start a business while attending the online school, Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
“I love eating healthy and using fresh ingredients and thought it would be awesome to open something in Hawai‘i,” she said. “I wanted to either do smoothies and açaí, cupcakes or boba.”
Cämu Wetzel said he and his wife had no idea what they were getting into when they decided to pursue entrepreneurship.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD“But that was part of the charm,” he said.
Makani Wetzel enjoys the treats at his parents business named after him: Makani’s Magical Pineapple Shack (Photo Courtesy)
The Wetzel family moved to Hilo to start a business, and added two more children along the way. (Photo Courtesy: Lokelani and Cämu Wetzel)
The couple’s business plan started with Cämu Wentzel’s sketch of a shop with a tiki hut and island vibe. Lokelani had the vision for the bowls and other menu items.
While visiting family, Cämu Wetzel secured a loan for the business in his native Finland and picked up investors.
It was a leap of faith. They relocated to the Big Island in 2015 after spending the winter in Finland to make their vision a reality.
The couple found their shop at 54 Waiānuenue Ave. in old town Hilo. After nine months of acquiring various permits and equipment, they opened their doors in 2016, originally naming it the Big Island Juice Co. They featured blended juices and açaí, pronounced ah-sigh-EE, which comes from the açaí berry grown on the açaí palm tree in South American rainforests.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD“At the end of the day, it’s about believing in yourself,” Cämu Wetzel said.
During those first couple of years, the Wetzels ironed out what customers wanted, resulting in the shop focusing on smoothies and açaí bowls. They also perfected the art of how they made the bowl, transitioning from a blender to soft-serve machine, which gives the açaí a frozen yogurt consistency.
“That has given us the longevity,” Cämu Wetzel said. “It’s a work of art.”
The shop also carries soft-serve flavors in dragon fruit and ube, or purple potato. A regular size açaí bowl is $14. A large bowl, easily shared between two people, is $19.
A year after opening, they changed the shop’s name to Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack after their first son, who is now 9 years old.
“His favorite treat is açaí with peanut butter, but he also likes to add popping boba,” Lokelani Wetzel said.
A favorite creation for herself and many of her loyal local customers is Cookie Monster, which is made with cookie dough and homemade granola. Its açaí includes cookie butter and Nutella.
The tiki hut shop, wedged between businesses along Waianunue Avenue, has a large menu on the wall and pictures of the family as it has grown over the years. Makani now has siblings: 5-year-old Kiani and 2-year-old Journey.
The Wetzels have had offers to open a spot on O‘ahu and considered opening a second location in Kona. But they ultimately decided to stick to just the Hilo shop for the time being.
Part of the reason for not expanding to O‘ahu, Cämu Wetzel said, is the cost for rental space. It is more favorable on the Big Island. And, he said, Hawai‘i County gives people a chance to succeed.
Tiffany DeMasters
Tiffany DeMasters is a full-time reporter for Pacific Media Group. Tiffany worked as the cops and courts reporter for West Hawaii Today from 2017 to 2019. She also contributed stories to Ke Ola Magazine and Honolulu Civil Beat.
“That has given us the longevity,” Cämu Wetzel said. “It’s a work of art.”
There are powders for love, luck, and prosperity, as well as potions for courage, confidence, and enlightenment. Customers can choose their desired concoction and receive personalized instructions on how to use it. In addition to the magical remedies, the Pineapple Wizard also offers tarot card readings and palmistry sessions. Customers can receive insight into their past, present, and future, and perhaps uncover hidden truths about themselves. The atmosphere of the Magic Pineapple Shack is relaxed and serene. Soft, ethereal music plays in the background, and the sound of waves crashing gently on the shore can be heard in the distance. The shack is adorned with comfortable seating and soft cushions, creating a cozy and inviting space for visitors to unwind and embrace the magic. As you exit the Magic Pineapple Shack, you can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. Perhaps it's the lingering smell of pineapples or the whispers of mystical secrets shared within its walls. Whatever the reason, the memory of this enchanted place will stay with you forever, a reminder that magic exists in the world if you only know where to look..
Reviews for "Stepping into Wonderland: A Visit to the Magic Pibeapple Shack"
- Emily - 1 star - I was really disappointed with my experience at Magic Pineapple Shack. The service was incredibly slow and the staff seemed indifferent to our presence. The food was also lackluster, with the flavors falling flat and the portion sizes being much smaller than expected. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a tasty and enjoyable dining experience.
- David - 2 stars - The atmosphere at Magic Pineapple Shack was nice, but unfortunately, that's where the positives end. The menu options were limited and not very appealing. When our food finally arrived, it was cold and tasted like it had been sitting out for a while. The prices were also relatively expensive for the quality of food we received. Overall, I was quite disappointed and won't be returning.
- Jessica - 1 star - I had heard good things about Magic Pineapple Shack, so I was excited to check it out. However, my experience was far from magical. The service was incredibly slow, and it took over an hour for our food to come out. When it finally did arrive, it was undercooked and had to be sent back. The replacement dish wasn't much better and lacked any flavor. The prices were also on the higher side for such a disappointing meal. I definitely won't be going back to Magic Pineapple Shack.