Comments on: Postcard from the Waikikian Hotel http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel Reports from your intrepid tiki explorer, Humuhumu Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:10:46 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Kele http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-72079 Kele Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:00:03 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-72079 The Waikikian was the best! I only saw it in person one night, a wonderful evening in late July 1994. We ate poolside at the Tahitian Lanai and spent a wonderful few hours singing in the piano bar with the regulars. When the staff told me the story of how there had been plans to close the place up before but they were still holding on & just barely at that, I felt that the Waikikian & Tahitian Lanai had held on & waited for me. It wasn't til just a couple years ago that I found out the rest of the story. I search on the internet nearly every day looking for more info/pics/memories. Hearing from Paula's previous post, gives me hope to carry on, she has 'memories, pictures & videos.' I would absolutely love to be fortunate enough to glimpse those & other tokens of what I consider one of the most magical places in the world. The Waikikian was the best! I only saw it in person one night, a wonderful evening in late July 1994. We ate poolside at the Tahitian Lanai and spent a wonderful few hours singing in the piano bar with the regulars. When the staff told me the story of how there had been plans to close the place up before but they were still holding on & just barely at that, I felt that the Waikikian & Tahitian Lanai had held on & waited for me. It wasn’t til just a couple years ago that I found out the rest of the story.
I search on the internet nearly every day looking for more info/pics/memories. Hearing from Paula’s previous post, gives me hope to carry on, she has ‘memories, pictures & videos.’ I would absolutely love to be fortunate enough to glimpse those & other tokens of what I consider one of the most magical places in the world.

]]> By: paula http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-64617 paula Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:24:17 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-64617 My parents took me annually to the Waikikiian hotel on vacation for over a decade where my sisters & I learned the "hukilau" hula...words and all from Aunt Tillie & Mary who sang & played the ukulele nightly. They took the time to write words to several songs for us to take home one year. In 1981, we moved to Waikiki, where we lived just next door & went to the restaurant & bar almost daily. I missed Uku, the green parrot who greeted me until someone stole him. I miss my "hukilau ladies." I miss Marian who played the piano in the evenings. I miss the bartenders...Hannibal, Danny, Larry & Tony. I miss the bold welcome & unconditional acceptance by all when we entered the "TL" (which the locals affectionately named the bar). My last trip to Honolulu was in 1994...before the Waikikian closed. I graduated high school in 1987 & always found a reason & the money to return to the place I called home...until the Waikikian closed. A large piece of my past has gone with the Waikikian. My heart still aches & my tears still fall whenever I think of the wonderful piece of paradise that is no longer. One thing is certain. I have my memories, my pictures & my videos, but I will never stay at a greedy Hilton hotel again. My parents took me annually to the Waikikiian hotel on vacation for over a decade where my sisters & I learned the “hukilau” hula…words and all from Aunt Tillie & Mary who sang & played the ukulele nightly. They took the time to write words to several songs for us to take home one year. In 1981, we moved to Waikiki, where we lived just next door & went to the restaurant & bar almost daily. I missed Uku, the green parrot who greeted me until someone stole him. I miss my “hukilau ladies.” I miss Marian who played the piano in the evenings. I miss the bartenders…Hannibal, Danny, Larry & Tony. I miss the bold welcome & unconditional acceptance by all when we entered the “TL” (which the locals affectionately named the bar). My last trip to Honolulu was in 1994…before the Waikikian closed. I graduated high school in 1987 & always found a reason & the money to return to the place I called home…until the Waikikian closed. A large piece of my past has gone with the Waikikian. My heart still aches & my tears still fall whenever I think of the wonderful piece of paradise that is no longer. One thing is certain. I have my memories, my pictures & my videos, but I will never stay at a greedy Hilton hotel again.

]]> By: Mike Nervik http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-64290 Mike Nervik Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:48:01 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-64290 My dad worked for TWA and took us to the Waikikian during my senior year in high school (1970)..remember a steak and shake joint across the street...the Ala Moana shopping center, riding a rental bicycle up into the preserve and getting lost...remember the Lania rooms and the lagoon...so sad its gone My dad worked for TWA and took us to the Waikikian during my senior year in high school (1970)..remember a steak and shake joint across the street…the Ala Moana shopping center, riding a rental bicycle up into the preserve and getting lost…remember the Lania rooms and the lagoon…so sad its gone

]]> By: Marsha Lever http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-63935 Marsha Lever Thu, 07 May 2009 20:30:20 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-63935 I stayed at the Waikikian my honeymoon in 1972. I remember so well the authenticity of the polynesian architecture. There was a little flower shop in the corner of the lobby and a woman sat and strung plumeria leis. I would buy a bunch of gardenias every day, open them in a sink of warm water and put them in my hair every night. What a romantic I am and what a romantic place it was. I am so sorry that it has been torn down. A precious part of Oahu is gone for ever. Too bad. I stayed at the Waikikian my honeymoon in 1972. I remember so well the authenticity of the polynesian architecture. There was a little flower shop in the corner of the lobby and a woman sat and strung plumeria leis. I would buy a bunch of gardenias every day, open them in a sink of warm water and put them in my hair every night. What a romantic I am and what a romantic place it was. I am so sorry that it has been torn down. A precious part of Oahu is gone for ever. Too bad.

]]> By: Nick http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-58223 Nick Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:25:08 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-58223 I stayed 10 days at the Waikikian in January 1962, my first visit to Hawaii, which triggered a love affair between me and the islands. I've been back 7 times since then, sparked by that memorable stay, but Waikiki has changed. There were fewer hotels then, but now it's a concrete jungle. My 2nd visit was 32 years later in 1994 when the Waikikian was still around, and although I didn't stay there I went there for breakfast poolside a couple of times, when they served their famous Eggs Benedict, spicy Portuguese Sausage, and Hash Browns made from scratch. A couple of years later, I saw them pull down that hiotel and I could have wept. Such is progress! Back in 1962, my self-contained room, literally surrounded by tropical plantlife, was at ground level, and every evening at dusk while enjoying a drink on my lanai, a Hawaiian lady in a muu-muu would come around playing a ukelele and softly singing Hawaiian songs. And every evening I found a scented plumeria blossom on my pillow. I particularly remember the Piano Bar, and the pianist who, I think, was blind. Much water under the bridge since then. The Waikikian was filmed in the movie titled "And the Sea Will Tell," about a real murder that took place on Palmyra Island. And what can I say about the Waikikian's fabulous "sail" roof that covered the entrance lobby where one checked in. That was the real Hawaii to me. Now, Waikiki seems to be losing its identity, its Hawaiianness. For newcomers, it may seem Hawaiian, but to me, who saw it before Waikiki fell victim to land developers, it will never be the same. Honolulu Airport back in 1962 comprised several quonset huts where Customs check our baggage on trestle tables. Now, Honolulu International Airport is a large sprawl. Despite this, I have gone back almost every other year since I retired. I can't seem to stay away. Call of the islands, I guess. I stayed 10 days at the Waikikian in January 1962, my first visit to Hawaii, which triggered a love affair between me and the islands. I’ve been back 7 times since then, sparked by that memorable stay, but Waikiki has changed. There were fewer hotels then, but now it’s a concrete jungle. My 2nd visit was 32 years later in 1994 when the Waikikian was still around, and although I didn’t stay there I went there for breakfast poolside a couple of times, when they served their famous Eggs Benedict, spicy Portuguese Sausage, and Hash Browns made from scratch. A couple of years later, I saw them pull down that hiotel and I could have wept. Such is progress!
Back in 1962, my self-contained room, literally surrounded by tropical plantlife, was at ground level, and every evening at dusk while enjoying a drink on my lanai, a Hawaiian lady in a muu-muu would come around playing a ukelele and softly singing Hawaiian songs. And every evening I found a scented plumeria blossom on my pillow.
I particularly remember the Piano Bar, and the pianist who, I think, was blind.
Much water under the bridge since then.
The Waikikian was filmed in the movie titled “And the Sea Will Tell,” about a real murder that took place on Palmyra Island.
And what can I say about the Waikikian’s fabulous “sail” roof that covered the entrance lobby where one checked in.
That was the real Hawaii to me. Now, Waikiki seems to be losing its identity, its Hawaiianness. For newcomers, it may seem Hawaiian, but to me, who saw it before Waikiki fell victim to land developers, it will never be the same.
Honolulu Airport back in 1962 comprised several quonset huts where Customs check our baggage on trestle tables. Now, Honolulu International Airport is a large sprawl.
Despite this, I have gone back almost every other year since I retired. I can’t seem to stay away. Call of the islands, I guess.

]]> By: Corey Pruden http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-20363 Corey Pruden Sat, 07 Oct 2006 00:24:57 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-20363 I grew up at the Waikikian. Every year (sometimes two and three times a year) my grandparents, Midge and Richard, would bring my twin sister, Candice, and myself to The WAikikian where we would get our towels at the lagoon from Turkey, eat banana muffins and french toast with coconut syrup at the Tahitian Lanai, and walk down Waikiki to surf or just hang in front of the Rainbow Hilton swimming to the reef or catching crabs near the helicopter pad. I'm taking my kids there next month and will probably cry at all of the changes!! I grew up at the Waikikian. Every year (sometimes two and three times a year) my grandparents, Midge and Richard, would bring my twin sister, Candice, and myself to The WAikikian where we would get our towels at the lagoon from Turkey, eat banana muffins and french toast with coconut syrup at the Tahitian Lanai, and walk down Waikiki to surf or just hang in front of the Rainbow Hilton swimming to the reef or catching crabs near the helicopter pad. I’m taking my kids there next month and will probably cry at all of the changes!!

]]> By: Judy Hall http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-14509 Judy Hall Thu, 24 Aug 2006 06:37:06 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-14509 I cried the day that I heard they were tearing down the Waikikian. To me this was the most interesting hotel in all of Honolulu.....the most historic looking. The lounge was the best place to hear the locals sing and sip mai-tais. The world is a sadder place for it's loss.....all those young lovers looking for a truly romantic place. I'll be eternally grateful for this postcard that you published for all of us. Regards, Judy I cried the day that I heard they were tearing down the Waikikian. To me this was the most interesting hotel in all of Honolulu…..the most historic looking.

The lounge was the best place to hear the locals sing and sip mai-tais.

The world is a sadder place for it’s loss…..all those young lovers looking for a truly romantic place.

I’ll be eternally grateful for this postcard that you published for all of us.

Regards,
Judy

]]> By: Humuhumu http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-9149 Humuhumu Mon, 31 Jul 2006 19:14:39 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-9149 Swanky, it's actually two photographs composited together -- the sunset comes from a different image. The cars that can be barely seen in the parking lot seem to indicate the photo of the hotel is from somewhere in the late '50s or mid '60s, but the compositing of the sunset makes the postcard look more '70s or '80s to me. Unfortunately, as you say, without a date on the card, it's just impossible to say. Regardless, it's a neat nighttime view of that fab lobby! Looking at the handwriting again, I think you're right -- "native ship" makes much more sense than "nature ship." I though maybe she'd been listening to Eden Ahbez.... Swanky, it’s actually two photographs composited together — the sunset comes from a different image. The cars that can be barely seen in the parking lot seem to indicate the photo of the hotel is from somewhere in the late ’50s or mid ’60s, but the compositing of the sunset makes the postcard look more ’70s or ’80s to me. Unfortunately, as you say, without a date on the card, it’s just impossible to say. Regardless, it’s a neat nighttime view of that fab lobby! Looking at the handwriting again, I think you’re right — “native ship” makes much more sense than “nature ship.” I though maybe she’d been listening to Eden Ahbez….

]]> By: Swanky http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-9062 Swanky Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:36:30 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-9062 Wow, that's a photograph!? Unbelievable. I think it says "prow of a native ship." I too love to get cards that are stamped (gotta have a real date) and with a little writing. If nothing else, it takes ma back to when people wrote instead of typed. Wow, that’s a photograph!? Unbelievable. I think it says “prow of a native ship.” I too love to get cards that are stamped (gotta have a real date) and with a little writing. If nothing else, it takes ma back to when people wrote instead of typed.

]]> By: Hula Cat aka Greg Andrews http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel/comment-page-1#comment-8965 Hula Cat aka Greg Andrews Sun, 30 Jul 2006 05:11:01 +0000 http://blog.humuhumu.com/2006/07/28/postcard-from-the-waikikian-hotel#comment-8965 the personal history part is what charms me the most....always has .....that touch of awe......the human connection......Iv'e been collecting and selling (hardly enough!) slices this for years.....it's sort of a dance with a mysterious stranger.....and it's got P izzazzzzzz !! Mahalo ! Greg the personal history part is what charms me the most….always has …..that touch of awe……the human connection……Iv’e been collecting and selling (hardly enough!) slices this for years…..it’s sort of a dance with a mysterious stranger…..and it’s got P izzazzzzzz !! Mahalo ! Greg

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