tikitomtom

Librarians love literary Tiki mugs. Sometimes Tiki mugs resonate with an unexpected crowd. Jonathan and Allison have seen it happen. When librarians see their Cask of Amontillado mug, they quickly make the short-story connection, let out an oh-so-restrained glee, ooooh and aaaah a bit, and make a quick purchase. Once the mug makes it home, […]

Will and his friend jumped off their bikes and ran toward the Mai-Kai. It wasn’t long before the manager yelled at them to stop climbing on the Tikis. The year was 1966. The Mai-Kai was a decade old. The Federal Highway was a two lane road, and the gardens extended from the Tiki palace out

It’s debatable when the Hideaway’s Semangat Rumah came into existence. In Malayo-Polynesian beliefs, the spirit of a house – called the “semangat rumah” – is created as the the walls and roof are fitted together. A house spirit is born in the process. It begins to exist in interdependency with its builders. The house protects

If you want to date a henchman, start with a classic American Italian dinner, then move directly to the Mai Kai Trial of Fire. Leon and John are The Henchmen. Leon is “Right” Henchman and John is “Left” Henchman, to be exact. If you don’t believe me, you’re clearly behind on the Tails of the

“Hark, the jungle drums are calling.” That’s how Walt Disney introduced the Tahitian Terrace dancers from Disneyland in an episode of the Magical World of Disney television show many years ago. If you’re curious, youcan still see the old clip. You hear the drums, watch the Tahitian hula dancers, and catch the oohs and aahs

Serentikity (noun) ser·​en·​tik·​i·​ty | \ ˌser-ən-ˈtē-kē-tē \ : the occurrence and development of tiki events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. // “They found the carving by pure serentikity.” I’d venture to say that Rob and Trish have excellent serentikity. They’ve been in the right place at the right time and scored some

When you step into the Hala Kahiki Hideaway, you’ll suspect it might be a Disney Club 33 bar tucked into a secret grotto at the Polynesian Resort. I did. And I loved it. It was intentional. Scott and Kim designed the Hideaway with the Polynesian Resort as their inspiration. It reminds them of their nuptials,

George asked me, “Remember that old movie Somewhere in Time?” George didn’t have to say another word. We both exclaimed next – “The penny!” and our flash of empathic resonance was both understood and complete. For those that might not remember or have seen the film, it’s a story about a man who falls in

If I were trying to woo the love of my life, I’m not sure I’d ask that person to run miles with me while I recounted the detailed history of an armed conflict. It wouldn’t be at the top of my list of fifty ways to woo a lover. Out of breath discussions of military

The Hukilau organizer looked right at Howard and exclaimed – “Someone stole all of the top-shelf rums from the tasting this afternoon. Can you believe it?” Howard gulped, paused, and finished off the top-shelf rum in his glass. He might have some ‘splaining to do. Howard likes rum. If you visit Bull Tiki, his and