Waikiki Tiki; Art, History and Photographs OFFICIAL THREAD

Aloha,

OK, I am very proud to announce that the release date for "Waikiki Tiki; Art, History and Photographs" is set!

10/01/2010

Cover, and a few pages are here

Front Cover

Phillip

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
October 1st, 2010 from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2010-09-30 22:41 ]

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2011-11-19 18:55 ]

Now that's some good news, can't wait to see it! Midcentury poly-pop from Waikiki is kind of a gap in the documented world of tiki, and it looks like this book will fill that gap nicely!

-Randy

On 2010-07-12 14:04, aquarj wrote:
Now that's some good news, can't wait to see it! Midcentury poly-pop from Waikiki is kind of a gap in the documented world of tiki, and it looks like this book will fill that gap nicely!

-Randy

Mahalo Randy. There is plenty of archival stuff and modern eyecandy contained in the 264 pages between the hard cover. I am really happy with the way the book turned out. Pre-orders have begun not only on my book, but some other titles the Tikicentralites might enjoy. "The Arts and Crafts of Micronesia" and the "Petroglyphs from Hawaii" are pretty rad (I seen them), and I want to read the Rell Sunn book.

Two people from Australlia were the first to order "Waikiki Tiki," based on the Bess Press Catalog released earlier this year, before it was even sent to the printer. Identify yourselves please.

Me next to Edward M. Brownlee's Canlis Comission.

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
October 1st, 2010 from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2010-07-15 22:25 ]

Filslash, is that you?

Your book is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Phillip! Could you show us some more pages? If I say please? :wink: Good luck.

Ordered !

Good price, too.

Aloha,

Chris, You saw a very rough and early version when you came here over 5-7 years ago.

Zeta, I will ask the fine people at Bess Press about posting a few more pages. They are in control of the project and I will do as they ask. October 1st will come soon enough. I do not see any problem with posting a few out takes though!

Poolside. This shot of a tattoo artist and his daughter happened too late to be included.

Tikiyaki, Mahalo.

Hi Phillip, I'm a little confused about this picture you have in your book (the b&w one, lower center):

Maybe you can clear up my confusion, but isn't that picture from the Mai-Kai's calendar archives?

I believe that's actually Mireille Thornton. What is the connection with Waikiki Tiki? Thanks.

I believe that's actually Mireille Thornton. What is the connection with Waikiki Tiki? Thanks.

Good information and sharp eyes, Gatorrob. (Seems that her head is in a little different position, so it's probably from the same photo session.) Thank You Very Much. I got that tattered black & white photo from Gecko (who bought it at 'Da Collector's Show' in 2003-2004) many years ago...There was no information to go along with the photo at the time.

I thought the photo made a nice counterpart to the tattooed tourist ankle. I will make sure that the correction to the caption is made in any future editions of "Waikiki Tiki." (Too late for this one though.)

"Fala" carvings at his kiosk off of Kalakaua Avenue near the Princess Kaiulani Hotel

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
October 1st, 2010 from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2010-07-18 13:34 ]

Aloha,

Tourist at the International Market Place about 1962. Sign reads "Don the Beachcomber proudly presents Johnny Spenser and the Kona Coasters appearing in the Bora Bora Lounge."

This outtake didn't make the book because I actually found something better for that page right before the deadline.

I've have some really nice comments! Mahalo

Aloha,

I saw the proofs before they were sent off to the printer last week and they are wicked awesome! Bess Press said they will post some more pages as we get closer to the release date. I'd forgotten about this photo of a local carver's work. I meant to include it in "Waikiki Tiki." I haven't seen him in a while or any new work from him. I wonder where he is?

Robbie Hussey carvings are seen fronting a home in Pahoa Valley in 1999.

Hey Phil, what happened to the Hawaiian Hut at the Moana?
Is it still closed? Detikified? Renovated?
Do tell!

Hey Phil, what happened to the Hawaiian Hut at the Moana?
Is it still closed? Detikified? Renovated?
Do tell!

This will answer your inquiry, Chris:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=36634&forum=12

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2010-07-29 07:47 ]

Mahalo. I am glad I got to see it in its full splendor, but, alas.

Aloha,

On 2010-07-13 23:27, Zeta wrote:
Could you show us some more pages? If I say please? :wink:

Zeta,

Bess Press has heard your request and posted a few more pages here

Chris,

Yes, you are lucky to have been to the "Hawaiian Hut." It is unfortunate that the last of the great Spencecliff showrooms is gone. It had a good 39 year run! There are plenty of photographs of it in "Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs."

Another outtake I didn't get in to the book. Taken about 1962, the exact location in Hawaii remains a mystery but I think it's Ulu Mau Village in Heeia.

Phillip

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
October 1st, 2010 from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2010-07-30 22:57 ]

Chris,

Yes, you are lucky to have been to the "Hawaiian Hut." It is unfortunate that the last of the great Spencecliff showrooms is gone. It had a good 39 year run! There are plenty of photographs of it in "Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs."

Was this the last one?
Were they all on Hawaii?

Aloha,

On 2010-08-03 22:06, christiki295 wrote:
Was this the last one? Were they all on Hawaii?

Yes, the Hawaiian Hut was the last of the Spencecliff Corporation's restaurants. Most were located in Hawaii, and You know many of the names of these showrooms. (The Tahitian Lanai, Trader Vic's-Hawaii, Coco's Calabash bar, and Tiki Tops in Kaneohe were all run by them.) Many others (Tahiti by 6, the South Seas Villages, Top's Clown Room, the Hob Nob, etc.) are lesser known whom the Weaver brothers oversaw dining operations for. (Cliff was his brother, hence SPENCE CLIFF btw.) In 1956, their restaurants were serving around 10,000 meals a day grossing around 5 Million dollars annually.

Spence Weaver decorated many (not all) of his restaurants with relics collected from Tahiti and his travels in the South Pacific. He continued to work with Airlines to promote South Seas Tourism.

As the Queen's Surf and Barefoot Bar's lease was lost (and the grounds condemmed by the city to make way for Queen's Beach,) the company decided to create a show room at the Ala Moana Hotel for Travana's troupe of Polynesian entertainers and the other staff from the restaurant. This was the last project for the company that started with 6 hot dog wagons called Swanky-Franky in 1939. Before the Spencecliff Corporation sold their dining empire to a Japanese investment group in 1986, he sold the Hawaiian Hut to his loyal employees. Spence the restauranteur retired to the "Les Tropiques Hotel" he'd bought from Donn Beach in 1957.

There is a rumoured book coming about the Corporation by Spence's daughter Chantel...

Here's another out-take from "Waikiki Tiki."

Bamboo Ben came to Oahu on vacation long ago, and mentioned to me that a tiki was in the service passageway below the Royal Hawaiian and The Sheraton Waikiki Hotels. I bribed a worker $10 bux to take me to the trash compactor where it stood... The photo didn't really come out well so I didn't use it in the book, but there it is in 2004 (ish?).

Foam Idol at the Pan Pacific Festival Stage, 2009.

I posted this on the Tahitian Lanai thread in locating Tiki...

Oil on Velvet once hung at the Tahitian Lanai. This currently resides in Gecko's collection. I couldn't find a place for it in the book. Too much other good stuff to fit in. :(

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
October 1st, 2010 from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2010-08-13 13:25 ]

Aloha,

About a month and a half before October 1st and the release of my book. I'm very excited to share "Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs."

Lava Rock Cafe patio. International Market Place. Waikiki. 2009 Alternate shot.

Moai planter at the Yacht Harbor Towers Apartments on Ala Moana Boulevard. There are over 19 of these abstract moai-styled planters installed here.

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
October 1st, 2010 from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2010-08-15 23:24 ]

On 2010-08-15 23:23, Phillip Roberts wrote:
Aloha,

About a month and a half before October 1st and the release of my book. I'm very excited to share "Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs."

Lava Rock Cafe patio. International Market Place. Waikiki. 2009 Alternate shot.

Is this still Tiki in the International Market Place still there?

Aloha,

Yes, the "Lava Rock Cafe" is still active at the International Market Place.

Steel Doors at the Waipuna Apartments on Ena Road in Waikiki. I'd meant to use this in Waikiki Tiki, but forgot to include it in the final layout.

On 2010-08-16 17:17, christiki295 wrote:

On 2010-08-15 23:23, Phillip Roberts wrote:
Aloha,

About a month and a half before October 1st and the release of my book. I'm very excited to share "Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs."

Lava Rock Cafe patio. International Market Place. Waikiki. 2009 Alternate shot.

Is this still Tiki in the International Market Place still there?

That's funny! I made those stupid counters! Just some cheapo asian knockoffs. I used to help run that bar. There is a cool counter inside that I built - nicer tikis, bamboo and mahogany.

On 2010-08-17 17:52, Mo-Eye wrote:
That's funny! I made those stupid counters!

Aloha,

Max, I knew you were involved with the Lava Rock Cafe.

GM Bill Tobin at the "Holokai Grill and Bar" with the "Waka" canoe salad bar at the opening. The restaurant lasted a bit over a year and now houses a Cheeseburger. The New Zealand inspired canoe was carved by the Tikimaster team overseen by Jerome Cordier. A nice bit of work, it apparently sits in their warehouse in Kailua.

Phil:

Other than Polynesian Cultural Center, Tiki's and La Mariana, is there any other Waikiki locale that has a high percentage of TIPSY (TIkis Per Square Yard)?

Aloha,

35 days until release of my book. Thanks to those that pre-ordered. You can still do so Here.

On 2010-08-23 21:33, christiki295 wrote:
Phil:

Other than Polynesian Cultural Center, Tiki's and La Mariana, is there any other Waikiki locale that has a high percentage of TIPSY (TIkis Per Square Yard)?

Yes there is. Btw, the P.C.C. (Laie) and La Mariana (Sand Island) are considered outside of Waikiki. For instance...

Jukebox speaker covered in soft padding is made to look like a moai. Quite inventive if you ask me.

Drawing on a wall!

A wall upstairs near the restrooms

Here are just a few images that I didn't use in "Waikiki Tiki." I used others of Arnold's Beach Bar on Saratoga Road. It's a cheap dive bar I'll usually take visitors to. They really amped up their collection in the last few years, and there are a few pages of some highlights of it in "Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs."

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
October 1st, 2010 from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2010-08-26 15:26 ]

Arnold's Beach Bar
http://www.arnoldswaikiki.com

Good addition.

I was thinking Tiki's Bar & Grill might now be the third most Tiki, but I will have to check our Arnold's.
Hopefully, 2011!

My first glimpse at a review copy... First time I've held "Waikiki Tiki."

Very exciting!!

Hey! Congrats Phillip :wink:

Aloha,

Mahalo TikiG! Just 31 days to release!

• 1950's Business card of travel specialist H. Morris. Harry B. Soria of the Territorial Radio actually remembered this guy. "Big red-headed haole." His middle name translates to “The misty seas of the high heavens.” I'd intended to use this somewhere in the book, but couldn't find the right place or context for it.*

Aloha,

30 days to release of Waikiki Tiki!

Talin and Bear are world champion Tandem surfers. I used their photograph in "Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs" in a Diamondhead shot as they were practicing lifts on the beach. Here they are holding the book and showing the page.

Awesome Phillip !

On 2010-08-31 02:40, Phillip Roberts wrote:
Aloha,

Mahalo TikiG! Just 31 days to release!

• 1950's Business card of travel specialist H. Morris. Harry B. Soria of the Territorial Radio actually remembered this guy. "Big red-headed haole." His middle name translates to “The misty seas of the high heavens.” I'd intended to use this somewhere in the book, but couldn't find the right place or context for it.*

That's a nice bit of history.

Aloha! Coming soon! 29 Days!

• Innov8 Magazine, the in-flight journal of go/Mokulele Airlines reviews Waikiki Tiki in the September / October issue. (I do contribute photographs and articles to them, btw.)*

Innov8 magazine Digital Version

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
October 1st, 2010 from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2010-09-03 14:31 ]

:o :o :o Awesome book Buddy! Thanks for letting me get a preview! So many new to me Tiki images from the past that I'm still in sensory overload. :) On first inspection,I went through the 250+ pages twice just to enjoy the images. Can't wait to get my copy and read the text that goes with these great images. Mahalo Phil, a book like this was long overdue!

Freddie

On 2010-09-06 16:16, HOUSE OF KU wrote:
:o :o :o

Aloha,

Mahalo Freddie and thanks for everything. Look at you scoring stuff from the closed Hawaiian Hut. Bittersweet! ;(

BTW, I tried to count the tiki images in the book. I came up with 4700ish in the 263 pages...and I'm sure I missed a few... I count 23 days to release!!

On 2010-09-07 15:32, Phillip Roberts wrote:

On 2010-09-06 16:16, HOUSE OF KU wrote:
:o :o :o

Aloha,

Mahalo Freddie and thanks for everything. Look at you scoring stuff from the closed Hawaiian Hut. Bittersweet! ;(

BTW, I tried to count the tiki images in the book. I came up with 4700ish in the 263 pages...and I'm sure I missed a few... I count 23 days to release!!

I am glad it went to a deserving owner, if it could not have stayed.

:) Mahalo CRISTIKI295!

Freddie

House of Ku:
Of course, you need to post photos to indicate that they did, in fact, go to a good home!

Aloha

2 Weeks to release!

I've never been able to take photos of the Wailana Coffee Shop bar that convey the full beauty of the octagonal room so I left it out of Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs.

Good pupu's, decent drinks and great atmosphere. There is a huge turtle shell and loads of bamboo. I try to take visitors there whenever I can. It's right across from the Hawaiian Village on Ala Moana Boulevard and it's air-conditioned. As a bonus, the restaurant does an all you can eat pancake special!

Some of you might know the fellow in front of the Cook Islands carved paddle. Tiki Bong!

Interior of the Lounge with a Tahitian adze and a mask.

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
October 1st, 2010 from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2010-09-16 09:03 ]

Hi Freddie, Gecko alerted us to this tiki book. He said it's great. We ordered our copy. Wish it were here today. Wendy

Who knew?
Good tip!

Aloha,

On 2010-09-16 10:33, danlovestikis wrote:
Gecko alerted us to this tiki book. He said it's great. We ordered our copy. Wish it were here today.

Mahalo Nui Loa, Wendy! I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Chris, "Little suprises around every corner but nothing dangerous!"-Willie Wonka. :)

On 2010-09-16 09:01, Phillip Roberts wrote:

I've never been able to take photos of the Wailana Coffee Shop bar that convey the full beauty of the octagonal room so I left it out of Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs.

Good pupu's, decent drinks and great atmosphere. There is a huge turtle shell and loads of bamboo. I try to take visitors there whenever I can. It's right across from the Hawaiian Village on Ala Moana Boulevard and it's air-conditioned. As a bonus, the restaurant does an all you can eat pancake special!

I sympathize: I have had locations like that, that look great in person, but are impossible to squeeze into a frame.
With the Hawaiain Hut and Chuck's Steakhouse gone now, the Wailana Coffee Shop lounge is one of the last authentic old style environs left in Waikiki. Not mindblowing, simple in many ways, but because of its rarity, now a gem.

On 2010-09-16 13:48, bigbrotiki wrote:

On 2010-09-16 09:01, Phillip Roberts wrote:

I've never been able to take photos of the Wailana Coffee Shop bar that convey the full beauty of the octagonal room so I left it out of Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs.

Good pupu's, decent drinks and great atmosphere. There is a huge turtle shell and loads of bamboo. I try to take visitors there whenever I can. It's right across from the Hawaiian Village on Ala Moana Boulevard and it's air-conditioned. As a bonus, the restaurant does an all you can eat pancake special!

I sympathize: I have had locations like that, that look great in person, but are impossible to squeeze into a frame.
With the Hawaiain Hut and Chuck's Steakhouse gone now, the Wailana Coffee Shop lounge is one of the last authentic old style environs left in Waikiki. Not mindblowing, simple in many ways, but because of its rarity, now a gem.

This place needs Biff and his VR team.....it's a truly awesome place.

Aloha,

First off,

Ben,

I am sorry we missed each other when you were here last month.

Second,

Sven,

Let me thank you deeply for your review of Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs.

**"The effigies of the Hawaiian ancestors and their neighboring brothers have been studied, discussed and displayed in museums as valued cultural heirlooms for over a century. In the meantime, their populist likenesses were marginalized as tourist art, neglected and forgotten. It is time that 20th Century Tiki gets recognized as unique art form that had its own time, place and meaning for a different, new generation of islanders and visitors from all cultures. Waikiki Tiki makes an essential contribution to the appreciation of this Polynesian pop culture."

• Sven Kirsten
  Author of "The Book of Tiki" and "Tiki Modern"**

You speak glowingly of my project and I am humbled by your words.

Additionally James, I appreciate your strong bold paragraph.

** "Waikiki Tiki is a fascinating and richly illustrated portrait of how the new incarnation of tiki--forever changed by its appropriation into mainland pop culture--has triumphantly returned to its homeland to inspire, entertain, and educate generations of kama'aina and haole alike."

• James Teitelbaum
  Author of "Tiki Road Trip", and "Big Stone Head: Easter Island and Pop Culture"
  **

Duke, you also sent a wicked cool review... nui LOA to you all.

**

One would think that finding Tikis in the tourist capital Waikiki would be like shooting fish in a barrel. This is not the case. It takes the kind of passion and perseverance that Phillip Roberts has to unearth the evidence of Tiki's rise, fall, and rise again in Hawaii. On first visit to Waikiki with my wife on our honeymoon, we'd just been married in an old mainland Tiki bar, we thought we'd find Tikis at every turn. During our visit, and on subsequent trips, we only managed to find traces of Tiki's heyday. But with Phillip's thorough research, this book gives a fuller, clearer picture of Tiki's history and newfound popularity on the island.

• Duke Carter
  Author of "Tiki Quest: Collecting the Exotic Past."

**

On to the issue at hand...

On 2010-09-16 13:48, bigbrotiki wrote:

I sympathize: I have had locations like that, that look great in person, but are impossible to squeeze into a frame.
With the Hawaiain Hut and Chuck's Steakhouse gone now, the Wailana Coffee Shop lounge is one of the last authentic old style environs left in Waikiki. Not mindblowing, simple in many ways, but because of its rarity, now a gem.

OK, you hit the nail squarely on the head here, Sven.

This is EXACTLY my point. I have been LUCKY to get these shots over the years and they just don't all TRANSLATE to celluloid. This is GREAT ART and a view of Waikiki that has NEVER been seen before. And there's a lot more out I will find now after this is out. I have already had 4 new leads to follow up on and will post results.

I hope artists get some NEW material that inspires them to create some great work. One has already. Her painting in a unfinished state already thrills and chills me to the bone.

My Photographs are rare glimpses into a Waikiki never before seen in such detail and focus.

There is NOTHING like the smell of a new book.

Peace,

Phillip.

Official two thumbs up from Gecko :) @ La Mariana

I think the gift shop needs a stack of books when they are available....