Post #292232 by tiki_kiliki on Thu, Mar 15, 2007 8:07 PM

On 2007-03-05 16:03, GatorRob wrote:
I spoke to Pia at the Mai-Kai about that luau picture. She showed it to the Thornton's (for those not aware, they are the owners) and honestly, I'm not trying to dispute the picture at all, but they claim it looks to them like a Mai-Kai catered event. I'm not so inclined to believe that because they identified the mugs as the Mara Amu mug, but I'm not aware of the Tiki Leilani mugs ever being used for the Mara Amu. But it would explain presence of the mystery bowl.

Anyhoo, for those of you who like a little controversy, rant on...

First of all, I've stumbled upon this thread a little late - I guess alot late. I'm just too busy, I must make time for TC. Karbora, thanks so much for giving me a nudge to take a look, this thread is amazing.

And Volcano Girl - amazing - thank you so much for sharing with us. Please keep everything coming. It's just what we need here on Tiki Central.

Not to add to the controversy - because there surely shouldn't be one, but the photos on page 6 of this thread are definitely of the Mai Kai dancers. These pictures were among the many I scanned for the family for the photo exhibit last year. Here's one of them:

But like Mrs. Thorton has told me, so many of the dancers and those from the Islands knew each other and would travel to other Polynesian themed restaurants all over Florida.

This is definitely a Mai Kai show. Even some of the dancers are Mrs. Thorton and Toti is in the picture, still employed by the Mai Kai today.

Yee-Haw & Aloha,

The World of Tiki Kiliki

[ Edited by: tiki_kiliki 2007-03-15 20:23 ]