Maspeth couple brings taste of Hawaii to Shea

With the weather and action on the field heating up at Shea Stadium, Mets fans now have a new option for a drink to cool down with - Maui Wowi Hawaiian Smoothies - all thanks to a couple from Maspeth.
Paul and Joanne Branca, local Maui Wowi Hawaiian franchise owners, have two carts - one on the field level and the other on the mezzanine behind home plate - bringing ice-cold Hawaiian smoothies and gourmet hot cocoa to satisfy fans’ thirst during the games.
“I was in the printing business for about 15 years, and it was time to move on and start my own business,” Paul Branca said.
He started researching Maui Wowi back in November of 2005, and after reaching an agreement with the company right before Christmas, he traveled to Denver, Colorado for training. When he completed the training, he met with Mets executives to discuss bringing the tropical drinks to Shea.
“What better way to spend baseball season, watching our favorite team and offering up a taste of Hawaii at every game,” Branca said.
Since Opening Day on April 3, Maui Wowi’s cart, which resembles a tiki hut, has been a fixture behind home plate with the two most popular flavored drinks being strawberry and pina colada.
Although Maui Wowi drinks are available at some minor league stadiums throughout the country, Shea Stadium is the first Major League Baseball stadium where fans can enjoy these drinks.
Even though the weather has been somewhat cool the first two months of the season, Branca is encouraged with the fans’ response to the drinks.
“Once the weather starts warming up, people can’t wait to get a smoothie,” Branca said.
In addition to Shea Stadium, Branca plans to bring the carts to various fairs and festivals throughout Queens.
“We are excited to be part of the Maui Wowi Hawaiian ‘Ohana’ and to bring a little bit of Hawaii to New York,” Branca said.