Post #329369 by GatorRob on Fri, Aug 31, 2007 2:16 PM

I'm in agreement with Sven's post. While I am thrilled that the Mai-Kai garden tikis are getting some much-needed attention, I'm concerned about the overall effect 30+ painted concrete tikis will have on the vintage and authentic appearance (authentic from both a true sense and a Polynesian Pop sense) of the Mai-Kai. I mean no offense at all to the gentleman making these repros. You obviously have skills a-plenty that I envy. I just hope you will take Sven's advice about researching the way these tikis should look. Personally, concrete doesn't thrill me much unless you're making a Moai tiki. But I understand carved wooden tikis are very expensive and difficult to maintain in an outdoor environment, especially hot and humid Florida. But then again, take a look at this spectacular guy from the Hawaiiana Hotel in Honolulu:

When I examined him, he was sporting a thick layer of varnish to protect him from the elements. I don't know how old he is, or his brothers and sisters on the hotel grounds, but I suspect they're vintage.

So a question I have for Kern is, why not protect the wood tikis you have? Why let them rot away? I would dearly love to see the large Barney West tiki out front lose his coat of many colors. Tiki Central is loaded with incredibly talented carvers. Basement Kahuna's tiki in the indoor garden is worthy of standing alongside the best of the Mai-Kai tikis. I'm sure there are a number of talented and experienced carvers here who would jump at the chance to help the Mai-Kai preserve their treasures. (Rumor has it that a certain talented individual might someday do just that. But that's just a rumor. And one heard after a couple of Cobra Kisses and a Black Magic.)