Post #214144 by woofmutt on Sun, Feb 12, 2006 3:46 AM

I popped in recently to check Leilani Lanes out again and as I discovered before it isn't the sort of place that would inspire another visit. There are a two large tikis (at entrance and one overseeing a round tiled fountain pool) and a couple standard Witco plaques in the Lani Kai Lounge (two pics on their website). The lounge (which they really over-hype on the website) also has a bit of the Witco/Witco style trim. Two identical native/islander plaques on the restroom doors. You sort of have to look hard to notice any original Tiki touches in the lounge which doesn't seem due to remodel/removal/covering up with cheapo party Tiki crap as much as there never seeming to have been a very high Tiki element to begin with. The feeling of the space isn't exotic escapism so much as dead end depression. And not in the fun way.

Leilani Lane has been remodeled and updated so much that the general impression is one of haphazard shabbiness. The midcentury style round tiled fountain pool as you enter is most likely original to the building but amid all the modern blandness it looks odd and out of place. (I'd guess it's only still there because removal of it was too expensive.) The most appealing part of the whole joint was the very small Lani Kai Restaurant. It's just a square coffee shop space off the main floor, but it looks largely unaltered or dolled up and has that old coffee shop feel to it.

Plans haven't changed and Leliani Lanes is still closing soon. If you're in the area and haven't been there you may want to just so you're not haunted by notions that you missed out on something great. Especially as time will make it seem lie it may have been better than it was.

The auction is scheduled for Tuesday April 11 and is being ran by James G. Murphy Co.. They don't have an active catalog link up yet.