Post #239080 by pdrake on Thu, Jun 22, 2006 10:10 AM

Bamboo Ben has reason to celebrate

I got an e-mail from my pal and favorite Hawaiian-style furniture and interior designer and maker, Bamboo Ben, the other day saying he was gonna redo his shop and retail outlet in Huntington Beach and was having a “Big Kahuna Sale.”  
Ben is not the best at details so I had his wife, Mrs. Bamboo,  

write be back with all the details. For those of you who don’t know about this guy, he is the “Big Kahuna” of the bamboo. Here is the information I got from Mrs. Kahuna.
They’ve planned a "Big Kahuna" three-day-sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Friday through Sunday. To wind down the weekend with some fun, on Sunday local tiki carver Crazy Al will be doing a live tiki carving demonstration starting around noon.
Ice-cold pineapple juice will be served throughout the day on Sunday and there are plans to have musical entertainment from 2 to 4 p.m.
“We are celebrating with our Big Kahuna sale to kick off our remodel in July,” Mrs. Bamboo said. “When we began at our 712 Yorktown Avenue location sevn years ago, we never dreamed the business would expand with installation work the way it has over the past two years”
Bamboo Ben has been all over the country, (and possibly heading to Europe), creating "extreme makeovers" by turning old bar/restaurant establishments into the Hawaiiana feel of yesteryear.
Mrs. Bamboo noted that oddly enough, with the popularity of Hawaiiana and Polynesian pop swarming the beach communities of Southern California and beyond, the last two original tiki establishments in Orange County – Sam’s Seafood and the Royal Hawaiian – are gone. Underlying reasons yet unknown.
“We are excited about our remodel, which we feel will better serve our local clientele,” Mrs. Bamboo told me. “We are heading in the direction of offering more upscale furniture at a reasonable price along with continuing to offer our popular signature tiki bar; every bar unique, never the same, always original, signed by Bamboo Ben and all the furniture, artwork, small ‘must haves,’ and custom work our regulars and newcomers alike have grown to love.”
Bamboo Ben designs, creates and builds everything he caries in the store. No outside vendors are used and nothing is imported.
Until the fall season Bamboo Ben will keep public hours on Saturday and Sunday.
I love Ben’s work. The tiki bar that I used to use when I was playing at music at Dukes was a Bamboo Ben original custom make to fit my little corner out there on the Barefoot Bar patio.
And, sad to say, it is true that Sam’s Seafood has closed. I grew up with that big fish on the roof out my back bedroom window at night. Our house was right across PCH from there.
Right now the following "NOTICE" is posted on the side door ...
"Dear Friends and Customers, Sam’s Seafood is saddened to announce it’s closing as of June 5, 2006. Only only three owners have owned Sam’s over 88 years. Most likely, one of the few restaurants that can claim such a lengthy record. The present owners (July 1968 - June 2006) would like to personally thank all of our loyal customers, most sincere management team, devoted employees and dear, dear friends for all of your patronage and lengthy service.
We thank you so very, very much." Below which are listed: Carl Warren -- Sam Goldenberg -- Mert Wallen
Well that’s the up’s and downs in the local Hawaiiana world at the moment.
Corky Caroll is a three-time international and five-time United States surfing champion. Send
ideas to him by e-mail at