What would you like to see at a TIKI event that you haven't seen yet ? - General Tiki

F Formikahini Tiki Socialite Houston, Texotica Joined: Aug 22, 2002 Posts: 1514	F Formikahini Posted posted on Tue, Oct 2, 2007 9:03 PM Funny, but I was talking about this very thing with Tiki Kiliki today: that what I really love at these events is simply hanging out with the ohana. I haven't been to Oasis since it left the Caliente Tropics, but it was sooo relaxed and lovely. Days were spent simply lounging by the pool and wandering the booths set up on the lanai. Bands at night (and more swimming too). No need to leave the site! I did leave the hotel my first year (Oasis II) to see the fab MCM architecture in Palm Springs, but that was it. And it was 100% family friendly: kids everywhere, welcome to all events. I loved HotRod Hula Hop III this year for the same relaxed atmosphere; I got to hang out with my friends, which was the reason I went. Antiquing/thrifting - with wonderful friends - was gravy. Chicago Exotica has let me hang out in wonderful, classic tiki bars, having spent the afternoon on a bus with wonderful friends. Perfect! And some of my favorite moments at Hukilau are in the hot tub or on the beach (or in the ocean!) at 2:00 (or 3:00 or 4:00 AM). I do love the seminars and Friday night shows and Saturday nights at the Mai Kai, but I wouldn't be in Ft. Lauderdale that weekend if people I adore weren't there also. I mean, I'd be there some other weekend, mind you, because I love the Mai Kai, but these events are all about the ohana. Oh - the Home Bar Bus Tour. Man! Nothing better. OK, and the merch. I come back with huge, formerly-empty suitcases full. So what would I like to see that I haven't seen? Jeez, I've seen a Pineapple wedding, Room 135 (132?), Elvis' honeymoon hotel, Hawaiian Eye from a swimming pool, Robert Drasnin (and sang with him! Twice! Holy Sht!), an Esther Williams (badly) synchronized pool dive, met :wink: cute single tiki guys (yes, they're there!), seen BUTTloads of Witco at the Hala Kahiki, The Madonna Inn, a Gddamn genuine MERMAID, Jeff Berry's storytelling magic, The Joke Butcher, Bamboo Ben's thoroughly red eyes, The Corn, Elvis impersonators at a luau... Have I made my point? What could be better than any of these things?!? None none NONE of them hold a candle to the friendships I have made (and none would have been much fun without those friends). I now count seven years since I went to the first such event (the Kahiki closing), and I am still friends with people I met there. With some, it was almost immediate, and with others I got to spend substancial time for the first time this summer. So you know, I just don't require anything more. Only less! Less, so I can do what I really love doing anyway - being with my friends (which includes making new ones). * * * ...OK, I admit I wish I'd been to a carve-it-yourself seminar, but I just learned from this thread that it has happened at a recent Oasis! Well, if Oasis ever moves back to not-during-school, I'll be there again! (Kiliki, could you have such a class at Hukilau?) SOMEday I'll get back to California! I miss y'all!! Come to Texas! F

Funny, but I was talking about this very thing with Tiki Kiliki today: that what I really love at these events is simply hanging out with the ohana. I haven't been to Oasis since it left the Caliente Tropics, but it was sooo relaxed and lovely. Days were spent simply lounging by the pool and wandering the booths set up on the lanai. Bands at night (and more swimming too). No need to leave the site! I did leave the hotel my first year (Oasis II) to see the fab MCM architecture in Palm Springs, but that was it. And it was 100% family friendly: kids everywhere, welcome to all events.

I loved HotRod Hula Hop III this year for the same relaxed atmosphere; I got to hang out with my friends, which was the reason I went. Antiquing/thrifting - with wonderful friends - was gravy.

Chicago Exotica has let me hang out in wonderful, classic tiki bars, having spent the afternoon on a bus with wonderful friends. Perfect!

And some of my favorite moments at Hukilau are in the hot tub or on the beach (or in the ocean!) at 2:00 (or 3:00 or 4:00 AM). I do love the seminars and Friday night shows and Saturday nights at the Mai Kai, but I wouldn't be in Ft. Lauderdale that weekend if people I adore weren't there also. I mean, I'd be there some other weekend, mind you, because I love the Mai Kai, but these events are all about the ohana. Oh - the Home Bar Bus Tour. Man! Nothing better.

OK, and the merch.
I come back with huge, formerly-empty suitcases full.

So what would I like to see that I haven't seen? Jeez, I've seen a Pineapple wedding, Room 135 (132?), Elvis' honeymoon hotel, Hawaiian Eye from a swimming pool, Robert Drasnin (and sang with him! Twice! Holy Sht!), an Esther Williams (badly) synchronized pool dive, met :wink: cute single tiki guys (yes, they're there!), seen BUTTloads of Witco at the Hala Kahiki, The Madonna Inn, a Gddamn genuine MERMAID, Jeff Berry's storytelling magic, The Joke Butcher, Bamboo Ben's thoroughly red eyes, The Corn, Elvis impersonators at a luau...

Have I made my point? What could be better than any of these things?!?

None none NONE of them hold a candle to the friendships I have made (and none would have been much fun without those friends). I now count seven years since I went to the first such event (the Kahiki closing), and I am still friends with people I met there. With some, it was almost immediate, and with others I got to spend substancial time for the first time this summer.

So you know, I just don't require anything more. Only less! Less, so I can do what I really love doing anyway - being with my friends (which includes making new ones).
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...OK, I admit I wish I'd been to a carve-it-yourself seminar, but I just learned from this thread that it has happened at a recent Oasis! Well, if Oasis ever moves back to not-during-school, I'll be there again! (Kiliki, could you have such a class at Hukilau?)

SOMEday I'll get back to California! I miss y'all!! Come to Texas!
F

Post #336141 by Formikahini on Tue, Oct 2, 2007 9:03 PM