Beloved Ellettsville restaurant continues spreading aloha with family traditions, new menu offerings and more opportunities to gather.
The Hawaiian Hoosier Snacks & Gifts brought families together for its third annual Fall Family Fun Day on Saturday, October 24, continuing a cherished tradition of free pumpkin carving, caramel apples, coloring activities and goodie bags for children.
The annual celebration gives families an opportunity to slow down, spend quality time together and create lasting fall memories. One of the event’s most popular activities is free pumpkin carving, where children and parents can get creative without worrying about the cleanup.
“We love watching the children come back year after year and seeing how much they’ve grown,” said Auntie Stacie Marotta, owner of The Hawaiian Hoosier. “There’s something really special about seeing families laugh, carve pumpkins and make memories together. My husband, Paul, and I look forward to this celebration every year. I think it’s become our favorite event because it represents exactly what we want The Hawaiian Hoosier to be: a place where everyone feels welcome, families connect and a little aloha goes a long way.”
The Hawaiian Hoosier extends its appreciation to event sponsors Ruoff Mortgage and Tracy Young of Century 21 Scheetz for helping make the celebration possible.
Welcoming a New Hawaiian Chef and More Aloha
The Hawaiian Hoosier is also celebrating an exciting new chapter with the addition of Unko Kamu, a Hawaiian chef who has joined the restaurant as Head Chef and Manager.
Bringing his Hawaiian roots and culinary experience to the kitchen, Unko Kamu is helping expand the restaurant’s offerings while preserving the welcoming spirit that has made The Hawaiian Hoosier a favorite gathering place in downtown Ellettsville.
The restaurant recently expanded its operating hours and introduced Hawaiian-style breakfast, giving customers more opportunities to enjoy its popular plate lunches, specialty snacks and island-inspired comfort foods.
New Hours of Operation:
- Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday through Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Something New Is Simmering: Introducing Hawaiian Hoosier Soups
With cooler temperatures arriving, The Hawaiian Hoosier is adding a comforting collection of soups to its menu, bringing together familiar island favorites and Asian-inspired flavors.
New and featured offerings include:
- Saimin Noodle Soup: A beloved Hawaiian comfort food featuring savory broth and noodles.
- Won Ton Soup: Tender wontons served in a flavorful broth.
- Tom Yum Soup: A fragrant, Thai-inspired soup featuring mushrooms, bok choy and vibrant flavors.
- S3 Savory Shroom Soup: A comforting combination of shiitake and enoki mushrooms, tofu and bok choy.
- Award-Winning Hawaiian Hoosier Chili: The restaurant’s popular chili, recognized as Best Overall Chili at FreezeFest 2026.
The restaurant will also feature a rotating Soup of the Week, giving customers something new to discover throughout the cooler months.
Halloween Fun Continues October 31
Families who missed Fall Family Fun Day have another opportunity to celebrate!
The Hawaiian Hoosier invites children and families to stop by for Halloween trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Children ages 2 through 16 can receive a free Halloween gift while supplies last.
The Aloha Ambassador crew will be ready to welcome little ghosts, superheroes, princesses and other costumed visitors for another day of Halloween fun.
“We don’t believe you need a special occasion to share a little aloha,” added Marotta. “Whether you’re joining us for a meal, bringing the kids to an event or simply stopping in to say hello, we want everyone to feel like part of our Hawaiian Hoosier ‘ohana.”
About The Hawaiian Hoosier
Located in the heart of downtown Ellettsville, The Hawaiian Hoosier Snacks & Gifts opened in August 2024, bringing authentic Hawaiian-inspired foods, specialty snacks, unique gifts and the spirit of aloha to south-central Indiana. Named Ellettsville Small Business of the Year in 2025, the locally owned business continues to grow as a destination for Hawaiian plate lunches, island favorites, family-friendly celebrations and community connections.
The Hawaiian Hoosier Snacks & Gifts
120 W. Temperance Street
Ellettsville, IN 47429
Phone: (812) 876-8818
Website: www.Hawaiian-Hoosier.com