Is the Islands Restaurant/Hanalei Hotel being gutted? - General Tiki

T tikibars Tiki Socialite Aku Hall, Chicago Joined: Apr 11, 2002 Posts: 2034	T tikibars Posted posted on Mon, Mar 26, 2007 10:07 PM I visited the Hanalei a few times back in 1994 and 1995, as one of the first Tiki places that I actively sought out and went out of my way to explore. In fact, I went to it before Hala Kahiki or Trader Vic's here in Chicago. This was just before the first renovation, and it still looked as Sven's pics show. I have an awful nostalgia for this place, since I visited when Tiki was new and fresh to me, when I didn't know who carved the Tikis (who cares, they looked cool!), when I didn't realize how shitty the drinks were (who cares, they got me drunk!), when I didn't realize how fast placed like this were vanishing (who cares - it's here NOW). I just loved the vibe and the feeling of the place, and soaked it all in, reveling in how insanely cool it was. Those were good times.

I visited the Hanalei a few times back in 1994 and 1995, as one of the first Tiki places that I actively sought out and went out of my way to explore. In fact, I went to it before Hala Kahiki or Trader Vic's here in Chicago.

This was just before the first renovation, and it still looked as Sven's pics show.

I have an awful nostalgia for this place, since I visited when Tiki was new and fresh to me, when I didn't know who carved the Tikis (who cares, they looked cool!), when I didn't realize how shitty the drinks were (who cares, they got me drunk!), when I didn't realize how fast placed like this were vanishing (who cares - it's here NOW).

I just loved the vibe and the feeling of the place, and soaked it all in, reveling in how insanely cool it was.

Those were good times.

Post #294877 by tikibars on Mon, Mar 26, 2007 10:07 PM