Post #188867 by ikitnrev on Sun, Sep 25, 2005 10:46 PM

I thought I would give an update on some happenings concerning the Honolulu Restaurant. It is still closed, surrounded by a chain-linked fence, and the parking lot asphalt has been ripped out - it will not be long before the place is torn down.

No more tikis inside - just an empty shell. It is sad looking at these entrance doors, knowing there are no mai-tais inside.

But although the building where the Honolulu existed for over 25 years will soon be demolished, the restaurant will still live in in other ways. Several people, including Sabina and myself, bidded on and obtained some of the tiki decor within. There were others who had closer ties to the restaurant, who had been going there for meals and drinks for nearly 20 years - and as you will soon see, these people have done some really amazing things to keep the spirit of the Honolulu restaurant alive.

I was fortunate to be invited to a private party this past Saturday - the opening party of what some were calling the Honolulu 2. No, there will not be a new Honolulu Restaurant. Instead, this is a private space created by those long-time customers of the Honolulu who did not want to see the Honolulu vanish, and decided to capture and retain as much of the look and spirit of the original restaurant. For various reasons, I was asked not to reveal too many details about the location.

I was able to take a few pictures, which only begin to capture the whole feel of this new space.

One starts by entering a small entry way. The door is the actual inside door from the Honolulu. In the corner is a water fountain - not the Honolulu original, but one that captures the spirit of the original well. This entryway also has the original coat rack and (non-working) pay phone from the original restaurant.

One then walks inside into another large room - and one finds himself in a replica of the original Honolulu. One sees the original glass counter-case, along with the original Honolulu cash register on top - and behind that is the original Honolulu bar. (And no, that is not Johnny Dollar in front of the bar)

A great A-framed thatched roof has been added to the bar area.

Along the back wall is one of the two original lighted murals from the Honolulu. And yes, those are original tables and chairs from the restaurant.

Some of the original booths were also retained. Some of you may recognize a mask from the original Honolulu, along with two of the tiki pole carvings.

From the ceiling was hung an item that was not from the original Honolulu, but something that was very cool - an Oceanic Arts outrigger canoe!

And along one wall was another welcome surprise - the original roof sign for the Honolulu - and yes, it does light up.

Among the attendees at this party was this guy, who was also there during the closing moments of the original restaurant. He was with his new friend, who also enjoys mai-tais.

And what would a Honolulu II be without an appearance by David and Anna Chan - the owners of the original Honolulu restaurant.

Those of you who were able to visit the Honolulu Restaurant will understand what a great intimate place it was, and perhaps understand the empty hearts us in the D.C. area still feel with its loss. I myself only discovered the Honolulu late in its life, and consider myself fortunate to have 5-6 years of wonderful experiences there.

I couldn't but admire the love and care that the owners of the Honolulu II took to capture the look and feel of the original restaurant, with the layout and the amount of floorspace being roughly the same. Although the owners of the Honolulu II space are not a part of the Tiki Central community, they definitely have the right spirit of tiki within themselves, and the dedication and work that they put into the Honolulu II should be an inspiration for us all.

Vern

[ Edited by: ikitnrev 2005-09-25 23:08 ]