In a sea of traditional ice cream parlors that line Long Beach Island’s coastline, one family business stands apart by bringing the authentic taste of Hawaii to the Jersey Shore. Ohana Hau, which means “family snow” in Hawaiian, represents something beautifully unique on LBI; a genuine fusion of island cultures that speaks to both wanderlust and deep local roots.

Their 16 signature combinations can be customized however customers desire, but the real magic lies in trying flavors that simply don’t exist anywhere else on LBI. Where else can you taste li hing mui or experience the creamy perfection of haupia-topped tropical shave ice?

A 16-Year-Old’s Vision Comes to Life

The story of Ohana Hau begins with Summer Sprague, a remarkable 16-year-old who carries the distinction of being a 14th generation LBI local. The Sprague family has been here in since the beginning, for over 300 years. The tradition of caring for LBI continues with Summer and her mission to bring something new to the island.

While most teenagers might dream of leaving their hometown, Summer found inspiration by bringing the world to hers. During family surf trips to Kauai, Hawaii, she discovered something magical: authentic Hawaiian shave ice.

“When I first tried it in Hawaii, I just thought it was the coolest thing ever,” Summer recalls. “I was like, man, I don’t know how I feel about ice cream anymore. This is so cool.”

That moment of pure enthusiasm sparked an idea that has now become a thriving family business in its third season. What struck Summer wasn’t just the refreshing treat itself, but how different it was from anything available on LBI.

“Since we always have a lot of ice cream shops around every corner, I wanted to do something different,” she explains. “I decided I wanted to incorporate shave ice into our town and see how it does.”

A Family United by Surf and Snow

The Sprague family’s connection to Hawaii runs deeper than typical vacation memories. Adam Sprague, who teaches science at the Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science program during the off-season, shares his daughter’s passion for surfing. Their annual trips to Kauai aren’t just getaways, they’re pilgrimages to perfect waves and authentic Hawaiian culture.

This shared love of surfing created the perfect foundation for understanding what makes Hawaiian shave ice special. Both father and daughter experienced firsthand how the island’s laid-back surf culture and the refreshing tradition of shave ice are beautifully intertwined. When they return to LBI’s surf breaks, they bring that Hawaiian spirit with them.

“We try to get there every year and sample as many places as we can,” Adam explains. “So absolutely, we’re always bringing something different and new.” This commitment to continuous discovery ensures that Ohana Hau remains not just authentic, but evolving.

Aimee Sprague, co-owner of Ovations Performing Arts Academy in Waretown, completes this creative family trio. Together, they’ve built something that honors both their Hawaiian inspiration and their deep LBI heritage.

Authenticity in Every Shave

What sets Ohana Hau apart isn’t just the novelty, it’s the commitment to authenticity. The family imports their machines directly from Hawaii, which were originally made in Japan. This connection honors the historical roots of shave ice, which Japanese sugar plantation workers introduced to Hawaii in the 1800s, sweetening it with sugar cane and local fruits.

Every element is crafted in-house with meticulous attention to detail. They create their own block ice using reverse osmosis filtered water, make all their syrups with no high fructose corn syrup, and offer gluten-free options. Their signature macadamia nut ice cream base features fresh roasted nuts, while their house-made haupia cream (coconut cream) adds that authentic Hawaiian touch.

The flavor combinations tell the story of their Hawaiian travels. Traditional options like lilikoi (passionfruit), lychee, and li hing mui (dried plum with a tangy twist) transport customers to the islands. Their number-one seller, the “Summer Breeze,” layers macadamia nut ice cream with mango, lilikoi, and guava, finished with haupia cream captures the essence of both Summer’s vision and their Kauai experiences.

More Than Shave Ice: Building Community

While the authentic Hawaiian flavors draw customers in, it’s the family’s genuine warmth that keeps them coming back.

“I think it’s really nice getting to know our customers and talking to them and the regulars,” Summer shares. “It’s just a really nice environment.”

This community-focused approach extends to their hiring practices. Many of their staff members are students from Aimee’s dance academy or friends of Summer’s.

“We’ve had really the same staff since we’ve opened, which says a lot,” Adam notes proudly. “They pretty much just run the show all the time.”

Generations of Island Life

What makes Ohana Hau’s story particularly special is how it represents the best of both island cultures. The family’s deep LBI roots, spanning over a dozen generations, give them an intimate understanding of what the local community craves. Their Hawaiian inspiration provides the perfect complement to LBI’s beach culture, offering something cooling and refreshing that feels right at home among the dunes and surf breaks.

The fact that this vision came from a teenager who chose to enhance her hometown speaks volumes about both Summer’s character and LBI’s enduring appeal. She saw an opportunity to bring something beautiful and authentic to the place she loves most.

The Taste of Two Islands

When you visit Ohana Hau, you’re not just getting a frozen treat, you’re experiencing the convergence of two island cultures and the realization of a young entrepreneur’s dream. Every spoonful carries the story of Hawaiian sugar plantations, Japanese innovation, Kauai surf trips, and generations of LBI family tradition.

In a world where authenticity can be hard to find, Ohana Hau offers something real: a family business built on genuine passion, cultural respect, and deep community roots. It’s proof that sometimes the most innovative thing you can do is honor tradition.

Visit Ohana Hau and taste the difference that authenticity makes. Whether you’re a longtime local or a first-time visitor, you’ll understand why this family’s Hawaiian-inspired vision has found such a perfect home on Long Beach Island.

Mahalo to the Sprague family for bringing a little piece of paradise to our beloved shore!

This year’s Independence Day weekend promises to be spectacular, with fireworks lighting up both bay and ocean skies, free concerts echoing across the dunes, and parades marching through charming beach towns from Barnegat Light to Beach Haven.

Whether you’re planning to stake out a prime spot for Beach Haven’s crown jewel fireworks display at Taylor Park or prefer the more intimate setting of Surf City’s bay beach show, LBI offers something for every celebration style. From family-friendly theatrical performances and festival rides to evening concerts under the stars, the island transforms into a red, white, and blue playground where summer memories are made. Pack your beach chairs, gather your loved ones, and get ready to experience why LBI’s 4th of July celebrations draw visitors from across the region year after year.

All Week Long

Festival of the Sea. St. Francis of Assisi Parish & Center parking lot. July 1st – 5th from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Get tickets.

Surf City Shuffle Scavenger Hunt. How You Brewin’, Surf City. Multiple Dates and Times. Get tickets.

Events on July 3rd

Lacey Fireworks Spectacular. Rainier Vista Community Park. 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm.

The Fireworks Display at Lacey Township High School. Event begins at 7:30 pm. Fireworks begin 9:15 pm.

The Jersey Tenors. Waterfront Park, Ship Bottom. 6:30 pm.

Rob Connolly. Wooden Jetty Beach, Holgate. 6:30 pm.

Fireworks in Surf City. 17th St. Bay Beach, Surf City. 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

Cat 5 Band. Bird and Betty’s, Beach Haven. 9:00 pm – 12:00 am.

Events on July 4th

Tuckerton’s Fourth of July Parade. Begins at the intersection of Marine Street and Route 9 and ends at Great Bay Boulevard. 10:00 am.

4th of July Flag Event. LBI National Golf & Resort, Little Egg Harbor. Tee times until 2pm.

Unlimited Ride Pass. Fantasy Island. Unlimited rides for $35 a rider. 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm.

Roger Jinx & Happy Hour Before Fireworks. Buckalew’s, Beach Haven. 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm.

4th of July Clambake. Queen City Market. 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Get tickets.

Independence Day Parade in Barnegat Light. 10 W 10 St, Barnegat Light. 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.

Annual Surf City 4th of July Parade. 5th Street at the bay in Surf City. 6:30 pm.

Fire Pit Friday. 68th Street Beach Fire Pits, Long Beach Township. 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Fireworks Boat Cruise. Lighthouse Dock at Tuckerton Seaport. 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm. Get Tickets.

Annual 4th of July Fireworks in LBI. Taylor Ave Bayfront, Beach Haven. 9:30 pm.

GoodMan Fiske. Joe Pop’s, Ship Bottom. 10:00 pm.

July 4th Fireworks Party with 3AM Tokyo. Bird & Betty’s, Beach Haven. 10:30 pm – 1:30 am.

Events on July 5th

The Royals at Fire Pit Friday. 68th St Beach, Long Beach Township. 7:00 pm.

Fireworks at Barnegat High School. The event starts at 5:00 pm. Fireworks begin at 9:15 pm.

The Nerds. Joe Pop’s, Ship Bottom. 10:00 pm.

Friend Zone. Nardi’s, Long Beach Island. 10:00 pm.

Stealing Savanah. Bird and Betty’s, Beach Haven. 10:30 pm – 1:30 pm.

Remember to arrive early for popular events, bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and most importantly, take time to soak in those magical moments when the island comes together to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Whether this is your first 4th of July on LBI or your fiftieth, the memories you make this weekend will be treasured long after the summer sun sets. Happy Independence Day from all of us here on Long Beach Island!

If you’ve ever dealt with gulp, you know the struggle. That sticky, gooey mess that somehow manages to escape every container you put it in, leaving your tackle box, boat, and car looking like a disaster zone. It’s one of those fishing frustrations that we’ve all just accepted as part of the game, until now.

Twenty years ago, Baitmule’s founder Ryan Sherwood was just like the rest of us, dealing with the same messy aftermath every time he used gulp. As someone who lived for fluke fishing season, he’d gotten used to the ritual of rigging up, selecting the perfect bait, and choosing between bucktails, jigheads, or teaser hooks. But no matter how great the fishing was, he’d always come home to the same problem: gulp residue covering everything.

The Solution That Actually Works

Ryan’s frustration led him to discover a solution that the fishing world desperately needed. Baitmule is a container that’s actually, truly leakproof. Using medical-grade design, these containers don’t just claim to be leakproof; they deliver on that promise in ways that every angler who’s tried them can appreciate.

The containers are virtually unbreakable, which means they’ll hold up through whatever your fishing adventures throw at them. Whether you’re bouncing around in rough seas, hiking to a remote fishing spot, or just dealing with the general chaos of getting your gear ready, Baitmule containers are built to last.

More Than Just Gulp Storage

Here’s what makes Baitmule particularly smart: while they solved the gulp problem, they created something much more versatile. These containers protect anything you don’t want getting in or out, making them perfect for all your waterproof storage needs this summer.

Think about it: your phone, wallet, keys, electronics, snacks, first aid supplies, or anything else you need to keep dry and secure. Whether you’re on the boat, at the beach, kayaking, or just dealing with unexpected weather, having truly waterproof storage changes everything.

Local Availability

You don’t have to order online and hope for the best. Baitmule containers are available right here in our area. You can find them at BHW Bait And Tackle in Manahawkin, Creekside Outfitters in Waretown, Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom, Jingle’s Bait And Tackle in Beach Haven, Surf City Bait And Tackle in Surf City, and Van’s Boat Rental in Barnegat Light, among others.

The fact that these local tackle shops have embraced Baitmule tells you something about the product’s quality and reliability. These are the people who see every fishing gadget and container that comes through the door, and they’ve chosen to stock Baitmule because they know it works.

What People Are Saying

The reviews speak for themselves. Fisherman’s Headquarters calls it “the last gulp container you’ll ever buy! No leaks, no cracks, and no mess.” Montauk Fishing describes them as “by far the most durable, completely LEAKPROOF, storage solution I have found. You need to have this in your arsenal.”

When tackle shops and serious anglers are this enthusiastic about a product, it’s worth paying attention to.

Perfect Timing for Summer

With summer fishing season in full swing, now is the perfect time to upgrade your storage game. Whether you’re targeting fluke, stripers, or whatever else is biting, having containers that actually work eliminates one of those annoying variables that can mess up an otherwise perfect day on the water.

Beyond fishing, summer activities around LBI often involve water, sand, and situations where you need to keep things dry and secure. Beach days, boat trips, kayaking adventures, or even just dealing with sudden afternoon thunderstorms, waterproof storage that you can actually trust makes all the difference.

The Bottom Line

Baitmule containers represent something we don’t see often enough: a product that solves a real problem with a well-designed solution. Ryan’s twenty years of dealing with messy gulp containers led to something that benefits every angler, and the medical-grade construction means these containers work for far more than just bait storage.

In a world full of fishing gadgets that promise more than they deliver, it’s refreshing to find something that actually works as advertised. When you’re ready to stop dealing with leaky containers and messy storage solutions, Baitmule is available right here in our local tackle shops.

Sometimes the best fishing improvements are the ones that eliminate the problems you didn’t realize you were tolerating. This might just be one of those times.

When you’re standing on the beach at LBI, watching the waves roll in and breathing that salt air, it’s easy to take for granted that this incredible coastline will always be there for us. The truth is, our beaches face real threats from plastic pollution to water quality issues, to the growing impacts of climate change. That’s where the Surfrider Foundation comes in, and their work matters more than ever for places like Long Beach Island.

For 40 years, the Surfrider Foundation has been doing something remarkable: turning love for the ocean into action that protects it. What began as a small group of surfers fighting overdevelopment and pollution in Malibu has grown into one of the world’s most effective coastal protection organizations. Today, they’re working on more than 100 campaigns across the country, and since 2006, they’ve turned over 900 of those campaigns into real victories for our coastlines.

Join Surfrider Foundation for International Surfing Day

International Surfing Day, which Surfrider established in 2005, has grown into their largest global event, with more than 150 events worldwide in 2024. Now in its 21st year, it’s become a celebration not just of surfing, but of healthy, accessible beaches for everyone. The message resonates whether you’re a surfer, a swimmer, a fisherman, or someone who simply loves walking the beach at sunset.

On Saturday, June 21st, in Ventnor, NJ, Surfrider is hosting an exciting beach clean up with FREE surf lessons, yoga, pilates, drum circle, live music and more! Located at Cambridge Ave + the boardwalk/north-side of the fishing pier, volunteers will help rid the beach of harmful pollution while enjoying an amazing day of relaxing and vibing.

Get your FREE tickets!

Programs That Make a Real Difference

The scope of Surfrider’s work is impressive, but what I find most compelling is how practical and community-focused their approach is. Take their Blue Water Task Force, it’s the largest volunteer-run beach water testing program in the country. Volunteers regularly test water quality at beaches and alert communities when there are problems, because as they put it, “no one should get sick from a day at the beach.” For those of us who spend our summers in and around LBI’s waters, that kind of monitoring provides real peace of mind.

Their beach cleanup programs and Rise Above Plastics program tackle the plastic pollution issue head-on through education, community science, and policy campaigns. It’s not just about picking up trash, though that’s important too, it’s about understanding where the pollution comes from and working to stop it at the source.

The Ocean Friendly Restaurants program is particularly relevant to our LBI dining scene. By working with restaurants to reduce single-use plastics, they’re creating change one meal at a time. When you think about how many restaurants line our coastline and how many meals are served to visitors each summer, the potential impact is significant.

Beyond the Beach

What I appreciate about Surfrider’s approach is that they understand coastal protection extends far beyond the waterline. Their Ocean Friendly Gardens program provides sustainable landscaping solutions that reduce polluted runoff, which is something that directly impacts the water quality we enjoy when we’re swimming, boating, or fishing around LBI.

Their Climate Action Program connects volunteers to restoration projects that help protect coastlines from erosion while supporting local ecosystems. Given the challenges our barrier island faces from storms and sea level rise, this kind of work is essential for preserving the LBI we know and love for future generations.

Even their Ocean Friendly Hotels program makes sense when you consider how many visitors our area hosts each summer. By helping hotels reduce single-use plastics and make more sustainable choices, they’re multiplying the positive impact across the entire hospitality industry.

A Movement Worth Joining: How You Can Make a Difference

The Surfrider Foundation’s mission centers on five key areas: plastic reduction, ocean protection, beach access, coasts and climate, and clean water. These aren’t abstract environmental concepts, they’re the foundation of everything that makes coastal living special.

Here are all the ways to get involved:

• Attend an event, like International Surfing Day on June 21st
• Become a volunteer
• Join the South Jersey or Jersey Shore Chapter. 
• Request to start a Surfrider Club at your school
• Contact your local officials 

The beauty of Surfrider’s work is that it’s built on the idea that we’re all part of the solution. You don’t need to be an environmental scientist or policy expert to contribute. You can volunteer for beach cleanups, support their campaigns by contacting local officials, or make a donation to support their ongoing work.

For those of us who call LBI home or spend significant time here, getting involved with Surfrider feels like a natural extension of caring about this place. After all, protecting what we love isn’t just good policy,  it’s personal.

When you’re enjoying everything LBI has to offer this summer, remember that the clean water, healthy beaches, and thriving coastal ecosystem we treasure don’t happen by accident. They exist because people care enough to protect them. The Surfrider Foundation has been leading that fight for four decades, and their work ensures that future generations will be able to experience the same magic we do when we’re here on the water.

That’s something worth supporting, one wave at a time!

When Hurricane Sandy devastated our store in Beach Haven we decided to open up a mainland store to have a year round presence.  That led to the opening of The Shack Board Shop in the Manahawkin Mart with an intense focus on revitalizing a once flourishing skate scene in Ocean County.

We are open on a daily basis and here to service all your skate and skim needs.

Come shop with us today!