Post #292385 by Hula Cat on Fri, Mar 16, 2007 11:11 AM

Ah Yes.....it all floods back to me now ....as the driver and I were strapping the fireplace down, I was excitedly babbling about how great it felt to rescue this symbol of Tiki/poly pop culture and waxing about how many thousands had been to the Kahiki, how this, above all things Kahiki, was the most impressive. In my bloated glee I didn't notice that Merle (the driver) was intent on my blather with some concern knitting across his forehead. I mentioned how the mystery drink was presented to the fireplace Moai before serving . Merle asked if the Fireplace was ever used in actual worship (as in religious)..... Whoa! .....realizing that I was treading on sensitive ground (for him) I tried to spin to more benign turf...but just as I was beginning damage control.....SOMEONE....my friend and true blue rock of Tikidom....said "Oh Yeah, they had pagan rites and DEVIL WORSHIP every night at the Kahiki".....It was one of the best and most hilarious examples of bad and great timing ever I had witnessed.....A zinger (with a thread of truth) right in the soul of middle America!!!......So after nearly launching our truck driver to the brink of quitting our mission, we talked him down from "the ledge" with soothing tales of good food and childhood memories and family bonds akin to Disney World.......YOU know who you are ! and you're alright!