Post #228605 by the drunken hat on Tue, Apr 25, 2006 12:43 PM

On 2006-04-25 11:01, thejab wrote:

On 2006-04-24 22:13, Tiki Royale wrote:

What a beautiful place inside, I agree with Humu though... The T.V. and jukebox are in need of SERIOUS reprogramming.
The drinks are decent for the price and the vibe was mellow. Overall a very nice bar.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'm glad to read your positive comments.

As far as the music, there are some great CDs on there. You just have to program it yourself. I have been to bars with worse music. For example, there is the new Martin Denny compilation, an Ape CD, Dick Dale, tons of Hawaiian music (that I'm not familiar with), and plenty of great lounge, 60s soul, etc. If you rely on the customers to play it you may be disappointed. It's hard to please everyone with music but I think that's what they're trying to do.

I have been in there when they had the movie "Gidget" on the TV, and another time they were playing old surfing films. Other times I wasn't happy with what was on ("Friends") but I bet if you asked the staff they would play an old movie. At least the TV is small enough and the bar big enough that you can get away from the TV if it's distracting. Also, they keep the TV's sound off.

I feel like I'm always defending this place, but I would really like to see it succeed as is, otherwise they may feel a need to compromise the atmosphere, or do away with the drink menu, etc.

As much as I LOVE Forbidden Island, I still intend going to the Kona Club regularly. I think that both places can survive, as they are both very different in their approaches.

Also, I think it's somewhat of shame (and I don't understand why) that many of the folks on TC who live fairly close by still have not seen one of Bamboo Ben's masterpieces.

very well said jab. the one time cleen and i went we had a great time. it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful bars i have ever been to. with the help of humu and hanford we took the juke over for our entire visit and that solved the music issue.

when we went it was not long after it opened so there was no drink menu yet. we drank gin and tonics(tiki? no! good? yes!). they were inexpensive considering the money the owner put into the place and made with premium booze!

my point is that no matter where you go there is always going to be advantages and disadvantages. if the place is gorgeous inside and you don't want it to change you have to support it. you may have to drink a cocktail, listen to music or god forbid ignore a TV that doesn't "fit" with the atmosphere. this in my opinion is a very small price to pay to keep a work of art like the kona UNCHANGED and more importantly in business.

i ain't drunk.......i'm jus drankin. albert collins

[ Edited by: the drunken hat 2006-04-25 13:14 ]