In 2022, we traveled to Hawaii to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary. Like so many people who visit the islands, we spent our days exploring, slowing down, and soaking in every moment together. One day while visiting the beautiful North Shore, we stumbled across something we had never seen before—New Zealand–style real fruit ice cream.

It was simple, but unforgettable.
We watched as real fruit was blended right into creamy ice cream, made fresh right in front of us. The flavor was vibrant, the texture unbelievably smooth, and it tasted so different from anything we had ever had before. It was one of those little travel moments that sticks with you—the kind you wish you could bring home.

A few evenings later, on one of our final nights in Hawaii, we were sitting on the beach watching the sun slowly sink into the ocean. It was quiet, peaceful, and bittersweet knowing our trip was coming to an end. As we sat there taking it all in, Mr. Shaka turned to me and said something that would change everything: “We could bring this home. We could do this in a food truck… and give everyone a little taste of New Zealand.”

At first it sounded like one of those dreamy vacation ideas—but the more we talked about it, the more it felt possible. When we returned home to New Mexico, that idea never left us. What started as a sunset conversation slowly turned into a vision. That vision took two years of planning, learning, late nights, and a lot of hard work to bring to life. There were challenges, doubts, and moments where the finish line felt far away.

But we weren’t alone.
Our family and friends stepped in and stood beside us, helping build, support, encourage, and believe in the dream just as much as we did. Piece by piece, the idea we had on that beach started becoming something real.

And eventually… Shaka Cone was born.

Today, we are proud to bring something truly unique to our community. Shaka Cone is New Mexico’s first New Zealand–style real fruit ice cream, and currently the only one in the state. Every cone we serve is made fresh, blending real fruit into creamy ice cream right before your eyes—just like the one that inspired us on the North Shore.

What started as a quiet moment watching a Hawaiian sunset became something much bigger than we ever imagined.

Now our goal is simple:
to share that same joy, freshness, and little taste of something special with every person who visits our truck.
Because sometimes the best ideas really do start with a sunset, a dream, and one life-changing cone.