President Obama stopped at Island Snow with his family for Shave Ice, after returning to continue the Hawaiian winter vacation cut short by the Fiscal Cliff negotiations. Visitors were surprised to see the President up close and in person.

Hawaii News Now reports that the visit caused quite a stir, with Secret Service agents cordoning off the place while the President and the First Family came to take their orders:

It wasn't really shave ice weather: skies were gray, the winds were occasionally gusty and there had been some rain. But some people knew what was coming when Secret Service agents arrived and Honolulu Police started blocking off Kailua Road. A few minutes later, just before 4 p.m., the presidential motorcade turned up from Kalaheo Road and into the Island Snow parking lot.

Obama spent the day with his daughters Sasha and Malia, as well as several family friends, according to the Huffington Post. The story also points out the difference between Hawaiian "shave ice" and the popular "snow cone":

Shave ice -- not shaved ice -- is an iconic Hawaiian treat that's made by shaving bits of ice off a large block. Shave ice is notably different, then, from the popular snow cone, which is made of ground ice. This textural difference apparently results in the ice absorbing the flavor syrup, as opposed to allowing it to sink to the bottom -- or so is one online encyclopedia's take.

Well-wishers stood by, and Obama did not disappoint them, shaking their hands and wishing all a Happy New Year.

For those who are curious, the President took this order according to Hawaii News Now:

The president's shave ice? According to Souza, "Regular cone, no ice cream on the bottom. Melona, lemon lime and cherry."