Kahiki Big Moai Rebirth - Collecting Tiki

HC Hula Cat Member Bellows Falls Vermont Joined: Jul 14, 2006 Posts: 171	HC Hula Cat Posted posted on Sun, Oct 1, 2006 8:11 PM Okay, Tikiskip and all the other fine tikiphiles, finally had some good weather and the time to uncover these “sacred” and scarred relics of tiki history. First I would like to thank timely circumstance and the generosity of the Tsao family who offered these treasures.I wasn't expecting or looking for this windfall but am thrilled (and broke!) after rescuing these icons from imminent destruction. While interviewing the late Michael Tsao’s wife, Alice and sons, Jeff and Tim, and in looking at photos of the Kahiki I asked whatever happened to the pieces that had been saved for a possible rebirth. Tim mentioned that the fireplace and moai were disintegrating and had little salvage value (what?!). He asked if I knew anyone who would want them as they were too large and damaged to be saved and were about to be scrapped. In disbelief, I said "I'll take them!” ... the Tsao’s said okay, but they have to be moved in three days. Then the scramble to hire a truck on short notice and make loading and offloading arrangements. I was going to take all three pieces but I thought that it would be a great idea to offer one moai to my friend, John (tikiskip) as he has been so welcoming, generous and helpful with the Kahiki book project. He’s as crazy about this stuff as we I am (if not more!) and it would be great to have one moai stay in Columbus. This decision and offer were made well before I realized the flatbed may not have held all three pieces. There’s more to this saga of bringing these magnificent tiki artifacts to Vermont, but realize that my love for things Kahiki and tiki goes beyond good reason. I'll will post progress on the restorations and addition, but it probably won’t happen until spring since Vermont's winter is fast approaching. (not too much of an exaggeration!). Thanks John and Barb for your continued friendship and I'm looking forward to meeting many of you at the Hukilau. Aloha, Greg pondering how to get it on the flatbed (thank god for credit cards--shipping was $3000!) collecting the pieces that were crumbling off almost ready after a crane offloaded them at our house (another grand)--fireplace detail recognize those eyes? ear damage infrastructure gas burner mechanism for the topknot topknot interior view of face; back has a crack all the way to the top just moving it around the yard......yeah, right ! [ Edited by: Hula Cat 2009-08-18 10:09 ] [ Edited by: Hula Cat 2010-11-11 06:19 ] [ Edited by: Hula Cat 2010-11-11 06:24 ]

Okay, Tikiskip and all the other fine tikiphiles, finally had some good weather and the time to uncover these “sacred” and scarred relics of tiki history.

First I would like to thank timely circumstance and the generosity of the Tsao family who offered these treasures.I wasn't expecting or looking for this windfall but am thrilled (and broke!) after rescuing these icons from imminent destruction. While interviewing the late Michael Tsao’s wife, Alice and sons, Jeff and Tim, and in looking at photos of the Kahiki I asked whatever happened to the pieces that had been saved for a possible rebirth. Tim mentioned that the fireplace and moai were disintegrating and had little salvage value (what?!). He asked if I knew anyone who would want them as they were too large and damaged to be saved and were about to be scrapped. In disbelief, I said "I'll take them!” ... the Tsao’s said okay, but they have to be moved in three days. Then the scramble to hire a truck on short notice and make loading and offloading arrangements. I was going to take all three pieces but I thought that it would be a great idea to offer one moai to my friend, John (tikiskip) as he has been so welcoming, generous and helpful with the Kahiki book project. He’s as crazy about this stuff as we I am (if not more!) and it would be great to have one moai stay in Columbus. This decision and offer were made well before I realized the flatbed may not have held all three pieces.

There’s more to this saga of bringing these magnificent tiki artifacts to Vermont, but realize that my love for things Kahiki and tiki goes beyond good reason. I'll will post progress on the restorations and addition, but it probably won’t happen until spring since Vermont's winter is fast approaching. (not too much of an exaggeration!).

Thanks John and Barb for your continued friendship and I'm looking forward to meeting many of you at the Hukilau.

Aloha,
Greg

pondering how to get it on the flatbed (thank god for credit cards--shipping was $3000!)