Post #13202 by Reever on Fri, Nov 8, 2002 5:49 PM

Maybe THEJAB can get on his magic computer and find out if any of these places still exist.

Thanks so much for the info Sabu! As my site gets closer to completion, I may ask you to lend me higher res scans, for which I will gladly give you props! I was aware of all of these, except for Kona Kai, which appears to still be alive and kickin! I can't find any photos online to see if they've totally remodled and wrecked any ambiance that once might have been, but the way they describe themselves on the travel sites is as follows...

"The Kona Kai Dumas Inn is the only full service hotel in Dumas featuring the Pepper Tree Restaurant and the Yellow Rose Lounge. We offer the original Hawaii in the panhandle with our enclosed atrium with heated pool and spa. Our tastefully decorated rooms overlook the beautiful green atrium and swimming pool."

Man o man... the fact that something like this once existed in a middle-of-freakin-nowhere little town like Dumas is what fascinates me about this craze. How can it be so forgotten/unknown by so many? Tiki temples made it to every little cowtown in Texas, for crying out loud!

THANKS for the great pics and facts. Just so you know, Trade Winds motels can still be found all around Texas (not sure if the one pictured is still around or not... been a while since I've been through Waco) despite how poorly palm trees fare in our summer heat! What good's a trade wind without palm fronds to flap in the breeze?

Don't know the fate of the Trader Vic's in Houston, but here in Dallas it still exists, except the name has been stripped from the restaurant, the guardian tiki out front stolen, the hotel was sold off by Hilton, and it's now a dusty rental space for parties. However, it's pretty darn intact... lots of original tikis.

Dobbs House Luau is gone... Dobbs House used to be the caterer on the Love Field airport flights (home of Southwest Airlines).

And, Ports o' Call is gone, but I have some great memorabilia from there that I'll share another time...

Phew! Sorry that was so long! Thanks again.