Coconut Caboose was founded by Lahaina residents Jeremy Aganos and Kristy Scanland. 

WEST MAUI – As the island of Maui stands at a crossroads in determining the welfare and sustainability of the land and the healthy development of its culture, it is indeed an inspiration to learn of young entrepreneurs with the mindset to nurture a positive future for all.

The end of sugar production presents an opportunity that could lead in many directions. Will we see more luxury gated communities and resorts, or will it be a return to sustainable farming and attention to healthy diets?

Lahaina residents Jeremy Aganos and Kristy Scanland are banking on the latter.

The young couple – who are expecting their first child in October – are the owner/operators of the Coconut Caboose, a thriving young food truck endeavor that specializes in producing a fully organic, high-quality product.

With an educational background in Environmental Studies and Nutrition from Green Mountain College in Vermont, coupled with his upbringing in family farmlands of Haliimaile, Makawao and Kipahulu, Aganos brings a passionate integrity to the forming of a healthy life pathway for the people and the ‘aina of Maui.

Coconut Caboose offers unique shave ice, raw coconut gelato, slushies, popsicles, fresh coconuts and fruit juices. 

Partnered with Scanland, a native of Chicago, where she studied at the Illinois Institute of Art, the young couple has developed and licensed a process in certified kitchens to bring fully sustainable food products to the people of Maui. The central ingredient is the revered niu (coconut), considered to be among the most nutritious foods on the planet.

Next, Aganos and Scanland took one of Hawaii’s most endearing treats -shave ice – blended in coconut juice for their unique product and added island favorite raw juices such as lilikoi, mango, pineapple, lychee and strawberry to create a refreshing, tasty and nutritious version of the most popular confections of local culture.

And, along with the shave ice, da Caboose offers raw coconut gelato, slushies, popsicles, fresh coconuts and fruit juices.

“Coconuts are one of the most nutritious foods on Earth – even used as plasma during wartime emergencies,” explained Aganos last week from his Mill Camp home, with trusty poi dog Niu by his side.

“Kristy and I met five years ago when she was doing a temporary tattoo business, and we brought the idea along to what it is today. Together, we developed the Caboose to create a fully sustainable product – a high-quality organic product. The coconut tree is also vital to holding the land in place to prevent erosion.”

The Coconut Caboose currently parks at the picturesque lookout at Honolua Bay five days a week, and Aganos and Scanland are researching a storefront shop in Lahaina as the business expands.

“We like to think that inspiration is empowering within the health benefits of the coconut. We are the hydration station of the Hawaiian Nation, and everything we do is from da land and not from a can,” Aganos concluded.

For more information, e-mail CoconutCaboose@gmail.com.