Awkward Family Business
May 26th, 2009
While others pursued plastics, the Matsumotos knew where the real money was… shave ice.
(submitted by Dana)
Tags: dad
While others pursued plastics, the Matsumotos knew where the real money was… shave ice.
(submitted by Dana)
Tags: dad


The Thanksgiving Letter
Eye Contact (back by popular demand)
LOL Cats
SNS: Me Tarzan, You Jane
Size Doesn’t Matter

Epic win!
A Hawaii standard much like Azeka’s Ribs (anyone remember?) and Ah Fook’s on Maui!
Much love to all my Hawaii peeps, I miss you!
~Duke
I live here in Hawaii, on Oahu and this place is STILL the famous place to go for shaved ice.
Love love love this place! Hey, those guys are smart: WHo do you think sent to pic in? Free advertising!! And snowballs somewhere else is not the same. Matsamotos is fluffy and delish, not grainy and hard. I’ve had “shave ice” on the mainland and there is no comparison. And I don’t care how many beans you put in it, nothing like Dave’s Ice Cream. Now, if I could get my hands on some potato/mac salad I’d be good to go!
Marie – Much like how your area calls it Snoballs, in Hawaii they call it Shave Ice. Even here in California people who are selling it Hawaiian style (with the beans, condensed milk and ice cream options) they sell it as Shave Ice. Say you go to the carnival or something, where it’s just the typical kind that has no Hawaiian ties then they call it Shaved Ice. Deal with it.
actually don’t see anything wrong with this one except too much background on top…spell it like it sounds. good product, good location, maybe a little gimmick= money
ShaveD ice – I hate when people leave off the “D” – like IceD tea, not ice tea, or oversizeD load, not oversize load.
Anyway, they call them Snoballs here.
Actually, it’s a Hawaiian thing. In Hawaii they call it Shave Ice. No leaving off the D–that’s what it’s called.
Hey you got your juice all over my cone
The Matsumotos have made millions on frozen water – Literally millions.
Dont be fooled….theres saki in that bottle
They have the best shaved Ice on Oahu! Picture is odd but nothing like there shaved iCE ANYWHERE!
This picture reminds my of what a great time I had in hawaii. These dudes are awesome! They’re shaved ice is sooooo good. BEANS AND ICE CREAM IN THE CENTER!!!!!!
OMG!!! i actually have a Matsumotos Shaved Ice tank top!
I go to Matsumoto’s every time I go home. Ice cream, mochi balls, sno cap on guava, coconut and lilikoi. I’m not getting why this photo is ackward…
I love Matsumoto’s! Definitely one a favorite destinations during our tour on Oahu.
Good for them–I hope they’re laughing all the way to the bank. It’s STILL a funny picture though…..
I’ve seen a few of these photos. They are hilarious.
They made millions by selling ice? Lucky for them they didn’t end up here in Canada.
Matsumoto’s is actually incredibly successful as a business, and on any given day, has a line of customers that extends out their door and around the corner. They serve the best shave ice in Hawaii, possibly in the whole world.
your caption is so perfect, you have no idea. I actually own the same red Matsumoto’s shirt, so I guess the money is in their shirts too. Thanks Adam Sandler for helping the world know about how awesome these guys are!
i’ve been there! it’s delicious! for as good as their shaved ice is, they can be the most awkward people in the world for all i care
best shaved ice ever!!!!! I love it so much!
i love it :]]]]!!!!!!!!
How funny! I just saw the younger guy talking about his shaved ice business (in Hawaii) on the Food Channel, a show about summer food.
Oh man! Motsumoto’s is so famous! Some days the line is out the door. Mostly when a bus load of mainlanders gets dropped off right in front like it’s the only shave ice spot on the island. But dude is legit and I’m sure all that frozen water and syrup has made him a very rich man.
this picture is only funny to the mainland people. everyone in hawaii loves matsumoto’s! i might go get one now that i’m on summer vacation….
OMG! I’m wearing my Masumoto’s shirt right now as I read this! I just got off the plane today and I miss the shaved ice already.
Where the heck are the guys pants?
The Masumotos rock! Their shaved ice is delicious.
I totally have that shirt. The yellow one. My mom got it from Hawaii in the 70s.
i used to go there every weekend. i love their shaved ice….damn….i feel broke now.
Matsumoto’s ROCKS!
Matsumoto’s is amazing !!! We have to go there everytime we go to Hawaii but don’t make the same mistake we did don’t leave anything in your car our car got broken into !!! it sucked but I still love matsumot’s I suggest the cotton candy with ice cream it is so good !!!
LOL! The best shave ice in the world, but the worst family photo possible!
Matsumoto’s is a Historic landmark in the islands. It’s a hugely successful business and beyond being a very wealthy family at this point, they’re also really great people.
I live on Oahu and just made my first trip up to the North Shore to enjoy some Matsumoto’s shave ice. These people don’t mess around. It was the best $3.00 I ever spent and the super long (40+ person) line was totally worth it. Anyone who lives on or visits the island totally needs to check this place out.
Nice Reference… I think I am going to jump in the pool with my scuba gear now.
The funny thing is, for them, the real money IS in shave ice. They are on the stops of several tourist busses every day.
Clown all you want, but these guys have been bankin’ on the Shave Ice for years. I wonder how much they got paid when Adam Sandler wore their shirts in 50 First Dates? They’re a staple with locals and tourists alike.
Matsumoto’s NO KA OI. I think I’ll go to Haleiwa town this weekend. Mmmm…Azuki Beans!
I saw these guys on TV-on the Food TV Network or the TRAVEL Channel. They’re famous! EVERYBODY goes there
Umm actually they are very well, millionaire well. That place is constantly packed and a famous attraction on Oahu. Maybe think twice before making fun of someone for no good reason.
I disagree… no need to think twice if it’s a funny picture!!! Makes no difference what kind of money they make… they obviously have a sense of humour… just look at the picture!!! And the really funny thing is… if what you say is true… yes, they do know where the real money is!!! And obviously having a great time with it. Chill out, they obviously are!!!
Pun intended or not, well done.
Pun most definitely intended.
Matsumoto’s is awesome not just for having the best shave ice in Hawaii, but also for having the balls to put BEANS in it. BEANS!
This pic is total win, just like Matsumoto’s.
Matsumoto’s is a hugely successful business! Awkward or not, these people are richer than me! LOL!
OMG, Matsumoto’s is the most awesome shave ice anywhere. I grew up with it and still miss it now. Who cares if the photo is awkward?
Oh, should’ve added “So ONO!” to my comment.
Oh yeah–beans, and also don’t forget, they put condensed milk on there, too! That place is the best.
don’t forget the Dave’s Ice Cream in the middle..
I miss the shave ice we used to get there. It is the only one like it in the world!! When in Oahu – you MUST go there! So ono!