Post #229190 by KuKuAhu on Fri, Apr 28, 2006 10:12 AM

Alright, I'll pull this one back out of the depths.

This was found at a local junk shop here in Kahikitown. I actually passed right by it at first without even stopping to examine it. I'm usually good about that sort of thing, but it had a distinct "made for my dad in 3rd grade" look to it.

Anyway, I went back to check it out after all, and...

Here's a quote from Fellow Moai Trader Jeff regarding it's origin:

"Hitiki items were the earliest handmade collectibles made available by the Kahiki restaurant. Besides the ashtray there were also small Moai heads (I'll post a pic) that he made as well. I am not sure what else was available. The makers of these artifacts was a man named J.J. Hite. Hence the HiTiki name. Mr. Hite also made the beautiful female tiki that was built into the desk of Lee Henry upstairs in the Kahiki offices."

I proposed that Mr. Hite was also likely the maker of the tiki head fixtures in the restrooms, but this has been so far unproven.

It also came to light that 2 other Fellows have similar ashtrays. One belongs to tiki carver Jim "Chisel Slinger" Robinson, and it says "Tahiki". I have seen it in person and it is certainly a Hitiki work.

The other belongs to artist Hoffa. His is smaller and has the same figures at each end, but I believe he said it was unmarked. I have not seen it though.

I'll try to get pics of both of those two put up in the FOM Gallery as well for any interested folks.

I did get a number of swell offers for this item aftre posting it here, but I cannot part with it. We are all still mourning the loss of the Kahiki here in Columbus, and anything from there as rare as this is staying right here for us to enjoy.

So there ya go.

Ahu