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Tiki Central / General Tiki / The Man Behind The New Tiki Craze (1958)

Post #188421 by freddiefreelance on Fri, Sep 23, 2005 1:23 PM

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On 2005-09-23 10:44, filslash wrote:
Aloha,

Dammnit. I was saving this, but OK, I'll fess up. I've actually been in contact with Edward for my book project for about 2 years now.

"The Wood Carver of Waikiki," he's 76 now, and lives in Oregon with his wife, and dog. He does not like to use the phone, and he, and I write letters back, and forth.

The International Market Place's original projected name was "The Hawaiian Village." While trying to secure funds for the venture, Don Beach, took Henry Kaiser to dinner, and told him his secret plans. Kaiser decided to open his own rival hotel and complex, and took the name (and much of Don's staff like singing waiter Alfred Alpaka) hence the secondary name for the complex.

Edward was University Of Hawaii at Manoa's first Masters student studying under Jean Charlot. Architects Wimberly and Cook, commissioned him to do the major work at the Tahitian Lanai, The Waikikiian Hotel, and Canlis. He did work for Matson. Don had him do most of the carvings at The International Market Place (Only a few still are there, his last major poles were torn down in July), and also took him to Vegas for the wood work at the Aku Aku in '61. He later turned to metal sculpture, and currently carves Jade occasionally.



peace,
fil/
[ Edited by: filslash 2005-09-23 10:46 ]

Have I told you lately that I love you? Keep up the good work! :D