Post #130197 by Swanky on Fri, Dec 10, 2004 9:55 AM

Before Hukilau 2004 I was wondering if I wanted to continue with all the work that is that huge event. I felt sure I didn't, but wanted to wait until after the event to decide. With hurricane Jeanne and thousands of lost dollars and more stress than I ever felt before, it made it fairly easy to decide. So I have decided I am not going to work as an orgainzer for Hukilau 2005.

Part fo my decision was that I wanted to put that effort towards something more lasting, and local. Yesterday I had a meeting with investors and got a go ahead on my new project for 2005, a new tiki bar here in Knoxville, TN.

Plans are all on the table and everything will be brought into shape over the coming months, but the current working name is "The Islands" and it will be a bar, no food, or perhaps simple appetizers. It will also be a tiki bar museum of sorts. Booths will be named after places like Kahiki, Mai Kai, Don the Beachcomber, Kon Tiki, etc. and will feature items form those place in the booth, along with histories. The menu will feature drinks by creator or locale, like the Mai Kai section with their Rum Barrel, Derby Daiquiri, and Shark Bite.

The process is just begining and is exciting. This is the fun part: finding decor. If you know of or are in possesion of larger pieces (from lamps to huge tikis, etc.) from vinatge tiki bars, please drop me a line. We can perhaps buy them or take them in loan, with you retaining ownership.

A lot of you guys will be called on for your art and expertise by me. I am looking forward to making a tiki shrine that you all will be very proud of. And I will keep you all posted every step of the way.

And, I'll see you at Hukilau and get to enjoy it as a guest, while promoting my new drinking establishment!

The Swank Pad Broadcast - If it's Swank...

[ Edited by: swanky on 2005-02-13 10:35 ]