Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Ford.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
A few years back I went on a trip to my homeland in kauai, my father Don was from the island of KAUAI. He was kanaka which mean indigenous to the island and a native Hawaiian. We grew up away from him so as an adult I was learning about my heritage and took a trip to the island. I fell in love with my he iced confection known as shave ice. Not shave”d” just shave. It was light and airy and topped with fresh fruit. When I came back to Orlando, I looked for this treat and no one had it anywhere. So, I decided I wanted to dive and learn it to share it with my community. I bought a vintage ice shaver on eBay, and dove in. I needed extra income to fund bringing my dad back to his island so I started Hanalei shave ice. My dad and I talked on the phone and I flew back and forth several times to see him, and in my travels with him, I learned he used to shave ice in Oahu as a young man, he worked in the taro fields, sugar cane fields and used to weekend as an ice shaver. He told me about his machine, and I showed him mine, he said that’s the same one. Told me the name of the grocery store he worked in and sure enough places on the back of the machine is a nameplate for the same store in Oahu. I bought it from a vendor in Oahu, and it IS the exact one my dad used. We were floored by the coincidence that this little discovery had made. It was my “calling from my past” Kupuna (ancestors) moment.
I started this little shave ice truck in Orlando as a way to connect with my past, bring dad home to his isle with the extra income it would bring, and share with my community. Little did I know that the community would soon be there for me.
In July 2021 dad fell very sick, and he needed to be moved into hospice. Daily I would work the food truck then nightly fly to Vegas where dad lived to try and get him healthy enough to be moved to Orlando. The outpouring of “community” came very week as I went back and forth people showed up in masses supporting me.
July 8th dad was finally flying to Orlando to live in my home with family as he knew his end was upon him. We had some amazing good times, hard moments but I wouldn’t change it for the world. All the time the support poured in. The community and I created a goodbye luau for dad we had amazing people step in and help us to know about Hawaiian culture and how to honor dad. My sisters and I learned a hula for dad and on Aug 8th he had a celebration of life and the community showed up for us!
I never thought starting a shave ice company in the heart of mills50 would change my entire course, but it did. During this time Orlando embraced me. They embraced my dad the AAPI community showed up and helped us navigate these hard waters.
Much like island culture when one mourns, we all Mourn. On Aug 15 just days after his luau dad left to be with our Kupuna.
I closed the doors on Hanalei shave ice and for 2 weeks I was closed.
Dad made me promise I would keep it open and continue to serve community and teach people island ways and aloha. And build community.
The letters, gifts, love, Emails, and outpouring of love started flooding into my little Shasta trailer… and I felt compelled to reopen. For dad.
Well, it has been a huge success, and people flock to this little shave ice trailer and the house on Lang which has partnered with me to give my little trailer a home!
Dad has been gone for almost a year now, and I am sure he is pleased with his legacy being carried on.
Shave ice is not just an iced confection. It’s community, it’s slowing down. On the islands people look forward to it every night. They gather and laugh at the joys of the day. It is a safe place, “E komo mai” “all are welcome” all humans are welcome all walks of life all together sharing in a moment of beauty and happiness.
Hanalei is where my roots are, and Hanalei shave ice is where my roots are honored, loved, and shared.
This honors my Kupuna my community and my joy of cooking.
Who knew an eBay purchase, a sick father, and a love of a treat would lead to something so magical and joyous! I thank my community, my dad, and those who have taught me about my heritage. Daily I meet people from the islands and Orlando has a huge AAPI community that just keeps showing up! They support me and I am blessed by their love and support.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been in Orlando for many years as a manger, General manager, chef, executive chef and worked with so many amazing people. When I stepped down, I didn’t think there was anything left for me to do. The restaurant community is close-knit. I didn’t see an avenue. My biggest challenge was me not believing in me. When I first opened it was just a few People, then one day a young man named Airam came to see me and he made a TikTok. And then another her name was chef jelly, and then another named kanoa. They believed in me. They shared my story and made me see that this younger generation is passionate about small business, authenticity, and the story behind things.
Of course, Covid was a huge challenge, and like everyone else the learning happened daily.
I think I am my biggest critic. I think I get in my own way, never feeling quite “enough Hawaiian” being muxed with German and Ukrainian cultures. recently a regular told me how proud they are of me, and my journey my “authentic” journey. They said I was “HAWAIIAN ENOUGH” and I feel that I am. I am trying to honor the islands and respect my culture and I seek council often as to how to do that and share also the aloha that lives in me.
My goal is not to make a million dollars it’s to make a million memories. That first time you try a shave ice, you know it’s special.
The ice!!! The ice was also a huge challenge, getting the right consistency took 2 years! Getting the right minerals, ph, alkalinity, and taste to taste like you are on the island. Was a huge challenge,
The “syrups” I didn’t want sugar syrups. I wanted fruit! But nobody makes shave ice “sauces.” So, I created it. Shave ice Sauces, my own recipes unique to the Florida and Hawaiian produce… I buy products from the islands. To support them, No one was using all-natural fruits and zero colors, my dad did in the ’50s and ’60s he used to grab a mango slice it, and squeeze it onto the ice, FRESH! That’s what I wanted to recreate. And I feel that I have and honored his fresh approach to shave ice…
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I worked for top Fortune 500 companies and several large restaurant chains. I worked for one of the busiest restaurants in the world at one point. Customer service has been my life’s work. In Orlando, it’s been my passion. I also was in the military as a Navy Seabee, and it was an honor to serve. My kanaka dad was a marine.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the cozy mills50 area and all of the amazing AAPI food spaces the BBQ the amazing people and the great shopping. Mills50 is the part of Orlando that feel is the heart that fules the sense of community
I dislike the lack of businesses taking responsibility for their non compostable one-time use plastics.
Pricing:
- 7.00 each shave ice
- 1.00 for ice cream to stuff it
- 1.00 for mochi or specialty toppings
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Hanaleishaveice.com
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/QsT12sq9Vqb
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdKLHveh/
Image Credits
Foodbykash
