Destination Big Island - What's Shakin'

Whats Shakin' on the Big Island?
By Sonia Martinez and Anthony Mathis

November 16th, 2005 for the Hawaii Island Journal

As you meander toward Hamakua on the twisting old Mamalahoa Highway, also known as Onomea Road (or as marked on the map, the 4 Mile Scenic Drive) between Papaikou and Pepeekeo you will find a little oasis called Whats Shakin'.

Located just a couple of miles north of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens, a big draw for visitors to our island, the bright and sunny `shack' reminiscent of a little plantation house is the home of some of the best fruit smoothies and freshest food found on the Big Island.

Back in 1995, owners Patsy and Tim Withers found an exciting way to use some of the land they own off the well-traveled road and at the same time the fruit grown on their 20 acre adjacent farm. Except for strawberries and blueberries, all of the fruit used in their
signature smoothies is grown on their farm.

Bananas, mangoes, papayas, rambutan, lychee, avocado, guavas, citrus trees, coconut palms, and pineapple plants are also used as part of the landscaping around the quaint building.

`Island Casual' is the order of the day. A welcoming wrap-around lanai on three sides of the building offers a breezy and comfortable place to wait for your order as well as benches, tables and chairs to sit and while away your time while eating in pleasant surroundings.

At one end of the lanai is a large and spotlessly clean restroom and at the other end is the "Fun Stuff" closet, a little gift shop beckoning with colorful island gifts and souvenirs, Hawaiiana books and local cookbooks.

Located in the yard below, picnic tables and benches covered with large umbrellas offer extra sitting nestled in an area by a coconut palm and what looks like hundreds of pineapple plants.

The menu, like the location, is laid back and casual, but don't let that first impression fool you! We have been frequent visitors since their opening and have noticed that regardless of how busy they are, orders are promptly and cheerfully taken and filled. The service is
well streamlined and user friendly and the food very fresh and wonderful!

No sodas or alcoholic beverages are sold, only smoothies, coolers, 100% juices, Kona coffee and fruit teas.

Smoothie prices range from $4.95 to $5.50. All smoothies are made with fresh, natural fruit. No sugar, sherbet or ice added. Their best seller smoothie is the Papaya Paradise, a blend of island fresh papaya, banana, coconut and pineapple.

Running a close second is Onomea sunrise and the rest of the enticing flavors are Groovy Guava, Pacific Passion, Luscious Lava, Blue Hawaii, Bananarama and Peanut Braddah! Yogurt, soy milk, Spirulina, protein powders, macadamia nuts and extra fruit can be
added for a small additional cost if you wish.

The food menu consists of 13 choices, starting with a simple sesame seed toasted bagel and cream cheese to nachos, chicken wraps, and turkey roll ups, albacore tuna or roast beef sandwiches. All entrees are served with slices of the fresh fruit of the day.

Vegetarian friendly entrees are Deluxe Garden Burger, a vegetarian burger on fresh baked whole grain bun, or the Teriyaki Ginger Tempeh (soy) Burger. Both are topped with the fresh lettuce, red-ripe tomato and onion slices, and served with chips or garden salad and
slices of fresh farm fruits of the day.

We ordered the Chicken Wrap, a large herb flour tortilla filled with deliciously marinated and grilled chicken strips, black beans, cheddar cheese and a splash of homemade salsa. It is baked slightly to a nicely finished crisp. ($8.95 – add .75 if you add sliced avocado, which we did).

Our other entrée was the Tamale Extreme, which can be ordered with a chicken or a cheese filling. You can order one of each as we did. Also $8.95 but add $1.00 if served with fresh and chunky guacamole. The tamales are topped with black bean sauce and smothered with their own homemade salsa.

Both entrees were served with side salads of fresh lettuce, ripe tomato and onion slices topped with sesame seed dressing and slices of the fresh fruit of the day, which on that day consisted of papaya and rosy guava.

We ordered the Mango Tango, a luscious blend of mango, papaya, banana, pineapple and apple juice and the Lava Java, consisting of Kona coffee, chocolate, banana and milk.

Whats Shakin' also offers a selection of fresh baked daily banana nut mini-loaf, pineapple or macadamia-honey bran muffins and assorted gourmet cookies.

Patsy comments that the idea came to them when they realized how many tourists traveled the Scenic Drive and there were no places where they could stop to eat between Hilo and Honomu. Already owning the land was very convenient and soon the plan took wings on its own.

" At present we are fortunate to have a former director of a prestigious catering restaurant in Seattle on board with us. Bringing us fresh and healthy ideas has been a boon.
I get a lot of comments about the fabulous experience and exceptionally delicious food. I think it is not only due to our fresh items, but a lot of love and care go into each order" says Patsy who works at Whats Shakin' every day.

Tim is an integral part of the everyday business by growing and harvesting the fruit. Often he brings excess fruit in large boxes to be sold from colorful displays on the lanai. On our last visit we found guava, papayas and two types of avocados.

Next time you're driving from Hilo to Hamakua, take a little detour on the Onomea Scenic Drive and don't forget to stop at Whats Shakin' for delicious smoothies and scrumptious fresh food!

RESTAURANT: Whats Shakin'
ADDRESS: 27-999 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Pepeekeo
PHONE: 808/964-3080
HOURS/DAYS OPEN: 10 AM to 5 PM - 7 days a week
PARKING: Ample on grounds
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY: Designated Handicap Parking and also a
wheelchair ramp to the lanai.