Hukilau 2007 website

You’ve probably been wondering where I scampered off to this time… well, I’ve been hard at work on the new website for Hukilau 2007! With the launch of the website comes the announcement of this year’s lineup, and yet again, the selection of things to do and see and hear is outstanding. Of course, the main night is once again at tiki mecca, the Mai-Kai. Here’s just a sampling:

• Robert Drasnin, returning to Hukilau to perform his new album Voodoo II live (his 2005 performance was awe-inspiring)
• Beachbum Berry, with the premiere of his new book, Sippin’ Safari
• Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily, celebrated artists with a talk on tiki history, especially where it concerns Disney
• Clouseaux, jet-set Exotica from Houston
• Jeff Chenault, with a talk on Exotica music
• Hula Punk, all the way from Hamburg, Germany
• High Noon, rockabilly from Ausin

There’s a ton more (including a Tiki Treasures Bazaar, a Tiki Fashion Show, the return of the Wreck Bar Mermaid, and tons more music), but the best way to see it all is to go hit the website. Scratch that — the best way to see it all is to go to Hukilau in Fort Lauderdale, June 14-17. Tickets are on sale now!

• The Hukilau 2007
• New Robert Drasnin Album: Voodoo 2 [Humu Kon Tiki]
• Hukilau 2007 Dates Announced [Humu Kon Tiki]

Ad for the Mai-Kai’s opening day in 1956,
from the Mai-Kai Archives

About a thousand tikiphiles gathered to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Mai-Kai this past October, as part of the annual Hukilau event. However, the real, actual date of the 50th Anniversary is coming up on December 28th, and a special, more intimate celebration is planned. Tiki Kiliki is organizing a group reservation for Tiki Centralites for the prime seats of the house — right in front of the stage. Every evening at the Mai-Kai is a really special experience, and about the only way it can be improved upon is by sharing the experience with other people who share your love of tiki and of the Mai-Kai. If you’re interested in joining the group, chime in on this thread on Tiki Central.

Those of us who are inconveniently located across the country may have to miss out on the dinner, but Tiki Kiliki has something special for us, too: every day between now and December 28, she’s sharing an image from the Mai-Kai archives, or from the archives of the family of Mariano Licudine (the Mai-Kai’s original genius mixologist). The image here comes from the Mai-Kai archives, and is an advertisement for the Mai-Kai’s opening day, on December 28, 1956.

Happy Anniversary, Mai-Kai!

• Mai Kai Dinner Dec. 28th 50th Anniversary [Tiki Central]
• Mai Kai 50th Anniv. – a look back in pictures! [Tiki Central]
• Mai-Kai, Ft. Lauderdale [Critiki]
• Ft. Lauderdale: The Hukilau 2006 [Humu Kon Tiki]

Ad for Mai-Kai 2007 Calendar

After an extended hiatus, the Mai-Kai calendar is returning in 2007, as part of the Mai-Kai’s celebration of 50 years in business. The Mai-Kai’s 50th anniversary is on December 28, 2006. I haven’t seen any images from this new calendar yet, but it’s advertised as featuring “never before released photos from the Mai-Kai’s private archives.” The photos from the private archive that were on display at the Hukilau included some really fun shots. If this calendar does well, hopefully the Mai-Kai will be inspired to continue the tradition in 2008 and beyond.

The calendar costs $17, which includes tax and shipping, and is a natural gift choice for the Mai-Kai lover in your life. To order, use this old school form at the Mai-Kai website.

[Via the Tiki News mailing list]

• Mai-Kai 2007 Commemorative Calendar [Mai-Kai]

Hanford Lemoore at the Mai-Kai

This post about our trip to Hukilau has been sitting here, taunting me in its mid-drafted state, for weeks now. Just the details from the first day were already too long to be a reasonable post — a full account of the whole weekend was looking like it would be a bloated whale of a thing. I could have put it up, but who would have read such a gangly monstrosity? I just need to clear the blockage and just get going with the blog posting, fercrissakes. So to get a sense of the fantastic time we had, just check out my photos, and read the threads of Hukilau memories and pictures on Tiki Central. The only thing missing from the pictures is the afterparties — they happened out in the Atlantic ocean, under the stars, a few dozen of us in our underthings and thankfully cameraless (that includes no webcams).

On with the show, already!

• Hukilau 2006 [Humuhumu's Life in Photos]
• Hukilau Pictures [Tiki Central]
• Hukilau memories [Tiki Central]

Hukilau 2007

Well, with Hukilau 2006 having drifted off into the sunset, I can’t help but think, “when can I do it all again!?” The wait won’t be as long this time, as Hukilau is moving to early Summer — June 14-17, 2007, to be exact. Kiliki has been wanting to move out of Florida’s hurricane season for some time, and Otto wanted to move his annual Tiki Oasis event to later in the summer to take better advantage of San Diego weather, so this schedule switcheroo works great all around. Some of the musical performances for Hukilau 2007 have already been announced: Clouseaux from Houston, Hula Punk all the way from Hamburg, Germany, and High Noon, a rockabilly trio from Austin. DJ Del Villareal will be spinning hulabilly tunes all weekend. For more details, get on the Hukilau mailing list, and stay tuned to the Hukilau website!

• The Hukilau 2007

Visions of Mystery Girls dancing in your head? Me too. With Hukilau fast approaching, the volunteers are gearing up to make this event happen. Most of the volunteer spots have been filled, but there are a few smaller holes in the schedule that need filling. Volunteering at Hukilau is fun, easy, and it’s a great way to meet folks (and possibly get a first-look at all the merchandise in the vending area!). Volunteers will receive some limited edition schwag, and deeply discounted Aloha Passes. If you’d like to participate, send an email to Jason & Staci Smith (your very friendly volunteer coordinators) at volunteer@thehukilau.com.

• The Hukilau 2006
• **Updated 9/12** Polynesiacs (aka volunteers) Still Needed for Hukilau ‘06 [Tiki Central]

What Friday night might look like

Hukilau is fast approaching, and I’m already mentally packing my bags (much easier, now that the War Against Shampoo has been reduced to a Firm Grudge Against Shampoo). I’m planning on bringing a webcam to some of the late-nite room parties, assuming I can get Internet access. I’ve set up a chat room on Userplane that supports streaming webcams, feel free to dive in and join me! If you have your own webcam that you’re bringing to Hukilau, you can use my Userplane chat room to stream it to the folks back home, too. Here’s how to use it:

- Go to this link: Humu Kon Tiki Webcam

- You’ll need to log in, but you don’t need to create an account if you don’t want to; you can log in as a guest.

- Once you’re logged in, Click “Chat!” to launch the chat window.

- You’ll see a list of users in the room in a list on the left side, under “The Molokai Bar.” If my webcam is currently broadcasting, you’ll see “Humuhumu” in the list; click my name, and you’ll get my webcam video in the lower left corner. There’s a “+” button you can click to enlarge the video window.

You can log in now, if you’d like, but there won’t be anything to see until I start broadcasting. When I find myself ready to start broadcasting, I’ll send up a flare at Tiki Central in this thread (and in Tiki Central’s Shout! chat window, too).

Oh, we’re going… to a Hukilau…

• Humu Kon Tiki Webcam [Userplane]
• Hukilau webcam(s)! [Tiki Central]
• Ft. Lauderdale: The Hukilau 2006 [Humu Kon Tiki]

Waitiki, performing at the Mai Kai in 2005

One of my favorite bands, Waitiki, will be broadcasting a live performance straight to your computer this coming Wednesday, September 27, at 9pm Eastern (6pm Pacific). Waitiki has a lineup of über-talented, classically trained musicians, and they can do Exotica like nobody’s business. They performed a set of Martin Denny songs at the Mai Kai during last year’s Hukilau that was positively transcendent. They will be performing at the offices of Eons.com in Charlestown, MA, and everybody’s invited, thanks to the magic of streaming video. There will also likely be a chat session, hosted by Brother Cleve.

But this will just whet your whistle for the really great news: Waitiki is coming back to the Mai Kai for this year’s Hukilau! Details have not yet been revealed, but the boys report that they just couldn’t stay away after the great time they had last year, so they’re coming down on their own shiny nickel to participate. I can’t wait to get drunk with them again… er, I mean, I can’t wait to hear them again.

For details on the webcast and chat session, keep an eye on Waitiki’s website. Okonkulukú!

• Waitiki
• Ahhhh… Waitiki! [Humu Kon Tiki]

Mai-Kai postcard, from the collection of Swanky

Swanky has shared scans of many Mai-Kai postcards from his collection on his Swank Blather blog. These include interior shots, exterior shots, and artists’ renderings of this most beautiful and archetypical of Polynesian palaces. As can be seen in some of the postcards, the exterior of the Mai-Kai has changed dramatically over the years — not just due to expansion, but also because of the encroachment of the city (when it was new, the Mai-Kai was quite isolated), and the growth of the lush jungle-like foliage around it. Swanky will be bringing his postcard collection with him to the Hukilau next month. Via MrBaliHai’s Eye of the Goof.

• Mai Kai – The Postcards [Swank Blather]
• Mai Kai Madness [Eye of the Goof]
• Ft. Lauderdale: The Hukilau 2006 [Humu Kon Tiki]
• Mai-Kai, Ft. Lauderdale [Critiki]

McVicker art of a Polynesian revue

Detail of McVicker art

The above art was posted by someone on Tiki Central who is looking to learn more about it. It’s lovely — I’d love to know more about it, myself. According to the poster, thegreenman, this lithograph was acquired via his aunt, who is in a south Florida retirement village. His aunt got it from a woman “who knew the artist” (the work is signed “McVicker”). This woman said it was created as a promotion for a “Polynesian gardens fire dance,” and it is from 1959. I don’t know how accurate any of that is, but I do know it’s a great scene — complete with fire dancers, hula dancers, a band, well-dressed patrons, a serving wahine, a bartender, a mysterious shady figure at the back, even a full-on decorated a-frame. It’s almost too perfect… I would have guessed that it was a modern piece, the way it so perfectly nails every Poly Pop cliche. Regardless, it’s gorgeous.

McVicker signature

I did a quick search on “McVicker” and turned up an artist, J. Jay McVicker; he created some pieces of a similar tone, and which date from a similar age, but his style was more abstract, and a close comparison of the signatures looks like a mis-match. Thegreenman hails from Ft. Lauderdale, and a piece of framing tape on the back says “Schwarms Photo Center Bahia Mar Commercial Photography – Illustrative- Architectural-Marine” (today, there is a Bahia Mar hotel near the water in Ft. Lauderdale). The mind, of course, leaps to the Mai-Kai, which opened in 1956, but in those days the Mai-Kai wasn’t the only game in town — or at least, wasn’t the only game in south Florida. There are many folks more knowledgable than I am about Florida tiki history (Kailuageoff’s presentation at the Hukilau should be a treat), hopefully someone out there can clear up the mystery.

UPDATE: thegreenman has left a comment, stating that he learned from his aunt that this was a promotion for the Polynesian Room at the Yankee Clipper — the official hotel for this year’s Hukilau!

• 1959 Lithograph McVicker Polynesian fire dance [Tiki Central]

Hukilau 2006 Souvenir Mug

The souvenir mug for this year’s Hukilau is being created by Munktiki, and is a decanter-like replica of this tiki, found in the Mai-Kai’s front gardens. The number of mugs available has been increased to 300, from the initial plan of 150. The mugs are only available to those who have purchased passes for the event, and are being pre-sold (because who wants to spend hours of their precious Hukilau time standing in line?). You need your confirmation number from your ticket order in order to purchase your mug. No word yet on the price of the mug, or exactly when they’ll go on sale — but the word is SOON. Keep an eye on the Hukilau website for details.

• Hukilau 2006 Munktiki Mug pre-sells soon! [The Hukilau]
• Ft. Lauderdale: The Hukilau 2006 [Humu Kon Tiki]

1977 Mai Kai Calendar,
from the collection of Swanky

Swanky has posted some images from his 1977 Mai Kai calendar on his Swank Blather blog. The Mai Kai produced these calendars for many years, but stopped some time ago. The calendars typically showcase their beautiful, barely-clothed serving wahines, but occasionally depict other scenes of life at the restaurant. The image at left gives a great view of a side dining room, with its cases full of shrunken heads. Another image Swanky has posted gives a rare peek at the brightly-lit, behind-the-scenes area in the Molokai Bar where all the drinks are made. If you ask at the Mai Kai Gift Shop, they can usually scare up a few old calendars for you.

• 1977 Mai Kai Calendar [Swank Blather]
• Mai Kai, Ft. Lauderdale [Critiki]

Postcard from the Yankee Clipper

A bunch of important announcements about this year’s Hukilau:

Sunday Schedule Announced
Here are the activities for Sunday, Oct. 8, to take place at the Yankee Clipper’s Ballroom A from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.:

• Sven Kirsten – Book of Tiki
• Jeff Beachbum Berry – Grog Log/Intoxica/Taboo Table
• Otto Von Stroheim – Tiki Art Now 1 & 2 and soon to com 3!/Tiki News
• Charles Phoenix – Americana the Beautiful/Southern Californialand/ God Bless Americana/Southern California in the ’50s
• Also meet Tiki artists Crazy Al, Basement Kahuna, Derek Yaniger, Pooch and Hukilau performers such as I Belli Di Waikiki as you have a chance to purchase CDs and merchandise
• Storytime with Aunt Bungy! Bungy plans to have her new book Top of the Mast available, as well as reprints of the old Eli Hedley catalog.
• Video from previous years’ Hukilau events, and a last chance to look at the Mai Kai photo exhibit

Also, due to the incredibly quick sell out of the Beachbum Berry Mixology seminar, a second, identical seminar has been added for Sunday, at 2 p.m. at the Yankee Clipper. Like the first seminar, seating is very limited, and tickets must be purchased separately.

Last Chance for Tickets at Discount Pricing
The scheduled ticket price increase that was set for August 1 has been pushed back — you now have until the end of the day this Thursday, August 3 to get tickets at the current discount pricing — the full pricing rolls out this Friday.

Mai Kai Nearing Sell-Out
There are only a few seats still available for the first seating of the dinner show at the Mai Kai, and the second seating is half-gone… remember that your Hukilau passes don’t get you a seat at the Mai Kai! You must call the Mai Kai to make your dinner reservations.

Yankee Clipper Rooms Available
The Bahia Cabana has completely sold out, but the Yankee Clipper (which is where much of Hukilau is taking place) still has rooms available. Yankee Clipper rooms cost a smidge more, but the discount available through the Hukilau can’t be beat, and it’s going to be far, far more comfortable in the gross Florida humidity. Besides, it’s right across the street, which means you’re practically at the Cabana anyhow, and won’t be missing out on any of the always-fabulous Cabana room parties.

We found the above postcard from the Yankee Clipper a few weeks ago at an antique mall, and we couldn’t pass it up.

To get your Hukilau tickets and learn how to make your hotel and Mai-Kai reservations, visit the Hukilau website.

• The Hukilau 2006
• Ft. Lauderdale: The Hukilau 2006 [Humu Kon Tiki]
• Storytime with Aunt Bungy [Humu Kon Tiki]

Hawaiian Isle – 1966, from Mai Tai Online

John Trivisonno has shared one of his family’s home movies in the video section of his site, Mai Tai Online. It’s from a trip to the Hawaiian Isle Motel in Miami Beach in 1966, when he was just 1-1/2 years old. It’s a great step back into time, with a glimpse of the great big tiki at the entrance, the nifty Hawaiian Isle sign — and a long, steady look at some lovely hula dancers, courtesy of John’s dad.

• Hawaiian Isle – 1966 [Mai Tai Online]
• Hawaiian Isle, Miami Beach [Critiki]

Website for Hukilau 2006

The website for the Hukilau was launched just a couple of days ago, and tickets are now available for purchase! The event — the fifth year of Hukilau — will take place October 5-8, 2006, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The annual Hukilau event has always been eagerly anticipated, but the interest in this year’s event has been especially high, as it is also the celebration of the 50th year of the Mai-Kai, which is without a doubt the finest of all Polynesian Pop palaces. Those who have already experienced and fallen in love with the Mai-Kai are saying they won’t miss this event, and those who have been wanting to make it to the Tiki Mecca are making this the year.

A new addition to the Hukilau roster this year is a series of special presentations by tiki luminaries:

• Sven Kirsten – The author of The Book of Tiki will be presenting a preview of his next book, with his talk “Tiki Modern and the Wild World of Witco”
• Jeff “Beachbum” Berry – The author of the Grog Log, Intoxica! and Taboo Table will be presenting “Mixology 101: The Beachbum on the Beachcomber” – a look at the drinks of Don the Beachcomber, complete with live mixing and drink samples for the audience
• Geoff Sundstrom – The Florida resident, tiki collector and urban archaeologist will be talking about the unique history of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State, complete with rare views of items from his extensive collection of postcards, brochures and other items
• Jeff Chenault – Music historian and Exotica DJ Jeff Chenault will be offering reflections on the history of Exotica music, from its genesis to today’s performers

Plus, the Mai-Kai family is making available one-of-a-kind images and items from their archives to create a special exhibit, “The Mai-Kai: A Look at the Past.” This exhibit will be on display adjacent to the Tiki Bazaar, where unqiue tiki items will be on sale from a variety of vendors (including the event mug, created this year by Munktiki!).

Musically, Hukilau will not disappoint, either — past favorites I Belli di Waikiki are returning, all the way from Italy, and in a very special performance, California band APE will be joined by their own hero and inspiration, the great Billy Mure. Other performers will include the Haole Kats, the Intoxicators, Combo Mahalo and Selector Lopaka. Non-musical performances that are not-to-be-missed: Charles Phoenix will be giving a slide presentation (Charles was a breakout hit last year), and burlesque by Torchy Taboo.

The centerpiece of the event is of course a magical evening spent at the Mai-Kai itself. Each year, the Mai-Kai staff (which is huge — large enough to form not just a softball team, but an entire league) looks forward to this event, and they really put their heart into making the night special for their guests, even creating special dance routines just for that night. For many who have spent time at the Mai-Kai during Hukilau, it is the very definition of “enchantment.” They really go all-out, and with this being their 50th anniversary, it will be rarefied air that night.

Tickets are going quickly, especially for the special guest speakers, where room for attendees is limited. Everything you need to know to get yourself to Hukilau is at the website — this year, there is a handy-dandy Hukilau To-Do List, to walk you through getting your tickets, your lodging and your Mai-Kai reservations. I was extraordinarily honored to be asked by Tiki Kiliki to do this year’s website, and I’m so glad I finally get to spill the event details! Tiki Kiliki will be keeping a blog on the Hukilau website, be sure to stay tuned to hear more about this once-in-a-lifetime event.

• The Hukilau