tikitomtom

“I don’t know what it is, but I feel really connected to tiki. Maybe it’s where I’m from. Maybe it’s from my early experiences. Maybe it’s in my genes.” For Adrian, I suspect the answer is (d) all of the above. Now a major influencer in the tiki revival movement known as Polynesian Pop, Adrian […]

When Robert brought home a vintage black-velvet nude painting and rare United Airlines Tiki in the trunk, Shanna said aloha to only one item. The UA Tiki was welcomed aboard. The black velvet painting with the woman wearing a hibiscus flower and nothing else? She would need to catch a connecting flight. Robert was carefully

The Tapu Tiki was designed for the creation of cocktails. Josh had a clear vision for his home Tiki bar. A long, eight seat high-top bar would establish his space as more bar than lounge. An array of shakers, jiggers, glassware, mugs, and other essential beverage tools would await a moment’s call to action. An

“I could not take my eyes off that image.” The drawing of a young boy and his dog staring up at a taboo tiki on a remote island in the South Pacific was one of many beautiful illustrations from Armstrong Sperry’s 1940 book, Call it Courage. Michael was around the same age as that young

Mike is a gardener who loves Bosko’s carvings. Bosko is an artist who loves Mike’s tropical palms. Over the past years, the two men have formed a lasting friendship, one that a biologist might fondly classify as symbiotic mutualism. In biology, symbiotic mutualism refers to the beneficial relationship between two different organisms in a given

Todd is a nomad and one of Lady Luck’s favorites. Todd hit the jackpot during a Tiki crawl raffle a few years back. He’d bought several tickets in hopes of upping his odds for some top-notch Tiki loot. The organizers pulled the first ticket, and Todd was a winner. Huzzah! The second prize was also

Crazy Al asked, “Will you dance with me on the main stage?” The Fisherman were churning out their vibraphonic jungle exotica when Crazy Al scanned the crowd for someone brave enough to join him on stage. It would take someone uninhibited to match his renowned level of energy. Roxanne was the obvious choice, and she

Ms. Foster asked Jennifer and Kenn, “Would you like to come over for sushi?” With a lunch invitation, what had been hoped for would come true. Jennifer and Kenn would meet Laurie Foster at her beautiful home in O’ahu, straight up the mountain above Diamondhead. Over sushi, they would soak up as much information as

Mysterious tales and legends haunt the multitude of islands in the South Pacific. Uncharted destinations rarely sought by travelers. No island has been more shrouded in foreboding intrigue than Makoako Island. Come gather round and heed my warning. That’s how the backstory for the Lava Flow Inn begins. It’s a detailed yarn that begins with

When you hear the “Kali Ma!“ at The Headhunter, be prepared. You may feel compelled to go shirtless and drink from a skull bowl. Kali will urge you on. You’ll hear her voice telling you to give in. Shed your shirt. Drink from the cup. Everyone can join in if they wish. The goddess of