Big Island Owned & Operated
Having called the Big Island home since March 1997, our owner, Mattson Davis’ dream of opening Magics Beach Grill began in 2017 with a desire to create an energizing, nourishing gathering place for the North Kona community.
With decades of experience in the restaurant and beverage industry, including CEO and president of Kona Brewing Co., Mattson believes personal and supportive relationships are the foundation of any great establishment. This belief extends to the local island food purveyors, community leaders, makers and artists, and our industry partners. “When someone comes to Magics, whether they’re local or visiting, we want them to feel part of our Ohana and develop a connection to the culture.” Mattson says.
Mattson lives full-time in North Kona, and he loves to travel and spend time with his sons, Thane and Lincoln.
Our Team
The talented team serving, managing and creating at Magics are the heart and soul of our local Big Island Ohana. Each member of our team has a wealth of culinary and hospitality experience that they bring to making Magics an especially wonderful place. Ultimately, our collective goal is to care for each other while we create a welcoming and delicious experience for all of our guests.
Peggy Szelinski – General Manager
Jason Keola Criswell – Executive Chef
Brooke Caldwell – Restaurant & Bar Manager
Christy Christensen– Restaurant Manager
Sarah McFadden- Accounting & HR Manager
Brian Christman - Director of Operations
The Magic Sands
The building dates to 1965, when it was Magic’s Lanai and Mermaid Bar, but, among locals, the venue was probably most beloved as Dorian’s, the area’s go-to spot for last call. Pat and Susie Dorian owned and operated the restaurant and bar from 1975 to 1985, and Pat was a legend: a stunt double for Elvis Presley, who regularly hung out with the Beach Boys in Waikiki. Under their tenure, Dorian’s was known for potent martinis, and the Silver Platter, and musicians George Naiopi and Aunt Betty often played impromptu shows in the bar, ukuleles pouring late into the night despite the venue’s lack of a music license. “You couldn’t buy the quality of the entertainment they did,” remembers former bar manager Dick Hershberger.
The Kipapa `Ohana
We have strong ties with the Kipapa Family and their relatives, who have lived in the area around Magics Beach Grill for centuries. King Kamehameha IV bestowed the land to their common ancestor Kipapa in 1854 and over generations, they fished and crafted canoes along the coastline, especially on what is now called Magic Sands Beach (formerly Keoneohuihui). They grew Kalo (taro), ‘Ulu (breadfruit), and ‘Uala (sweet potato), and the moon cycle dictated all farming activity, much like biodynamic farming today. We embrace and support their role and kuleana, one’s personal cultural responsibility to uphold the integrity of the land we occupy. We are aiding the Kipapa Family in its endeavors to protect their wahi pana (sacred sites) at Kipapa Park, located across the street from Magics Beach Grill.
Pohaku Ku’ula o Keoneohuihui – Restoration of Fishing Stone
In 2015, the Kipapa Family and members of the community reinstalled the family Pōhaku Kū’ula (Fishing Stone), located in the Ahupua’a of Pāhoehoe at Lae o Huihui. The monument centers on one female, or “hina,” stone and one male, or “ku,” stone, each weighing close to a ton. It represents an energetic magnet to attract fish into the bay so the families can live off the sea.
