When nothing else will do but delightful frozen treats that look like colorful works of art, Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack is definitely the place to go. At this popular Hilo eatery, they put their all into serving sweet treats built to impress in every way imaginable. As their signature creation, the Unicone always steals the spotlight, but all their items are just as good. Smoothies, frappes, and acai bowls all await your arrival, as do their surprisingly decadent sandwiches.
With its ultra-bright hues throughout, all their ice cream creations are true showstoppers. After setting down the base hues, they top each one with a dizzying amount of embellishments, leaving you wondering just how they pile it all one there. Their ice cream cones get glittery sugar and sprinkles, cereal bits, candies, and so much more. And their shakes? Wowzers! They don’t hold back in piling on the cookies, tropical fruit, cupcakes, and even slices of pie.
If you need something a bit more robust in your belly before you dig into the sweet treats, they do have sandwiches ready to order. You just have to select from their five options, and then get ready for pure decadence in every bite. Although you might want to finish the whole thing, you’ll likely regret not leaving room in your belly for their signature sweetness, too. So, consider sharing the sandwich or tucking away half for later if you’re not feeling ravenous.
No matter what you order, you can either take it to go or sit at one of their cozy tables. They’re not a full service eatery, however, so plan to bus your own table. Despite that, you can always count on them to provide plenty of aloha with every interaction. Since they’re a family owned and operated joint, the team always goes all out to share their gratitude for all the visits they get.
Stop by to try their:
Unicone
The Unicone is a must at least once, as it allows you to savor their pure artistry from first the bite to the least. This amazing treat starts with their mix of dragonfruit and ube soft-serve twist in a sugar cone. Then, they add a generous amount of sprinkles and glittery sugar to finish it off right.
Pink Velvet Special
Only available for a limited time during Valentine’s Day, the Pink Velvet Special demonstrates their love for going big on all the flavors. This creation begins with a strawberry marshmallow shake as the base. Over that, they start piling on the strawberry marshmallow shortcake, marshmallow whip, and strawberry whip. A glittery pink strawberry teeters on top, while heart sprinkles and marshmallows flow down the sides.
B.L.T.A.
Known as the “Big Baws,” the B.L.T.A. is the way to go when you want to go on a bacon-y flavor adventure. This triple-decker sandwich starts with crispy fried bacon, tomato, and lettuce on toasted sourdough bread. Then, they kick it up a notch with cucumber, avocado, and a fried egg for good measure. That’s not all either. As the finishing touch, they add their house chipotle aioli to every layer to bring it all together.
If you want to try your hand at creating a Unicone-esque treat, go with their Exotic Ice Cream. First, pick a cone, cup, or Maui pineapple as your holder of choice, and then decide how many scoops you want. After that, you just have to choose between all their regular and soft-serve ice cream flavors. Once that’s all done, it’s time for the grand finale where you get to pick from all their decadent toppings to built out a wonderful flavor combo all your own.
Insider Tip:
They regularly roll out imaginative menu items for the holidays. So, be sure to ask about their newest creations before putting in your order.