Post #28784 by Tiki Rider on Mon, Mar 31, 2003 9:00 PM

Aloha...In 1950, I was born in a tiki hut in santa ana. I was raised in Manhattan Beach in grandparents home full of rattan pretzel shaped furniture, turner prints, and tikis and tales from my dad's travels of exotic islands in the merchant marine. I remember living in a 50's home with a tropical garden. It was in the early 60's, I remember going to I think a Sam's seafood at the Manhattan pier or could have been Redondo. With dinner, I would get to order a "tropical drink" of 7-up with a splash of some grenadine, and a garnish of orange and cherry, and a plastic mermaid or monkey on the side. I can remember when tiki necklaces became hot and I had a black plastic one with red eyes, same time I think pluto platters came out. Anyway My grandfather was a Navy pilot and had been assigned to Pearl Harbor during the war. Thats probably where they got the furniture. Later he was a crew member on Howard Hughes's Spruce Goose, and then a test pilot at China Lake.
Growing up in this tropical setting somehow sunk in I guess... When I was in the Air Force I visited Waikiki and some how found the Waikikian which became my place to stay. The people, drinks, lanai and lagoon, the music and feeling, its hard to explain...you felt at peace and one with the tikis there. Also as a kid in the late 60's I moved to newport, My folks had fishnets and floats hanging around all over and cocktailed pretty good making drinks with funny little umbrellas. Visting Disneyland adventureland jungle ride, and tiki room I'm sure helped brainwash me too. In the 70's I found the Bali Hai in San Diego and bought a very cool 40-50's style rattan bar thus continued my affection for tiki. Then several months ago, still thinking I was a lonely tiki freak, I find T.C. with a great bunch of people who have similar interests and likes. Thanks Tiki Central!
P.s. Remember you're not too drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on!