Post #270508 by PremEx on Mon, Dec 4, 2006 10:53 PM

I drifted by Hale Hawaii again today right at the 4pm posted opening time, and BINGO! They were open!

Great little place. The owner/operator Ron (a native from Oahu) is a super nice guy and has lots of Aloha spirit. He still has a house in Oahu (where he just returned from and why he was closed last week). He built and opened the bar back in 1974 and it has a nice if simple Polynesian decor mixed with neighborhood bar. Nothing too elaborate but nice. A few tikis. A few netted glass balls. Couple of large sea turtle shells...one made up as a lamp. Bamboo. Assorted flotsam and jetsam.

Ordered his signature Scorpion and it didn't disappoint! Served in a large ceramic clamshell with one of those 2ft straws. Just the shell and the drink. No fancy garnish or umbrella. Just the goods. Plenty, plenty potent! The accompanying shaker of slop really meant you got 2 clamshells worth of drink.

Shortly after I started to enjoy it a group of the "regulars" started drifting in and my Scorpion instantly labeled me as a newcomer as most of them were ordering beers. But they are a friendly group of folk and got to enjoy talking with mainly Al, Ken, and Jerry and a few others. Good group of guys (and gals). Not what I would call a real tiki crowd, but a couple of them were wearing Aloha shirts.

I was feeling no pain when Ron announced with a grin, "You know...that's usually a drink for 2 or 3 people." Now you tell me! :wink:

Sobered up for about a half hour and then followed the Scorpion with a Mai Tai which was Bacardi Light Rum, Myers Dark rum and some brand of Mai Tai mix. Not the best Mai Tai in the world but certainly not lacking in the rum. I got the feeling its not the type of place where tropical drinks are the specialty anymore. But I really have no idea of what Ron is capable of if put to the challenge.

Before the regulars arrived and it started to get busy, we did chat about tiki bars a bit and he lamented and rattled off the names of many long-gone area tiki bars of the past. He also mentioned the Tiki Ti in Hollywood, so he certainly knows his tiki bar stuff and history. Got the feeling that when he first opened up that this was a full blown tiki bar that was part of that general tiki popularity of the time. But then as interest in tiki faded...I think he sort just wound down to more of a regular neighborhood bar. But it's still a nice place, IMHO.

As an owner/operated joint...cigarette smoking is allowed and welcomed, and I'd say 80% of the regulars were puffing away. So if smoke bothers you...best to stay away.

Again...Ron is just super. Very friendly and really...and I mean really...follows sports. Especially his Raiders.

Definitely going back to this one. :)