Blackface / Ban on Blondes at the Mai Kai? - General Tiki

I ikitnrev Tiki Socialite D.C. / Virginia Joined: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1325	I ikitnrev Posted posted on Mon, Dec 17, 2007 6:39 PM I came across this recent article about the Mai Kai from the Broward-Palm Beach New Times newspaper. A focus of the article is the rockabilly angle, due to Slip and the Spinouts who were playing that night, but I was most intrigued by the following sections that highlighted some of the Mai Kai's past. I do know that the Molokai does have blonde servers today. Quote #1 "In the 1950s, when the Mai-Kai opened its doors, the NAACP had begun campaigning against blackface entertainment. At the same time, the Mai-Kai's tribute to the South Pacific included non-Polynesian servers and dancers who used make-up and wigs to juice up their "South Seas" look — without public outcry." Quote #2 " .....She and the other servers were "hot girls who all wore stuff like this," Barker said, gesturing to the servers in their tropical print bandeau tops and mini sarongs. With one difference. "Here you can't be blonde," I said. Eden Scanlon, 36, once a Mai-Kai server herself, said I spoke the truth. A blonde co-worker had been required to wear a black wig, said Scanlon, who's still Miss February on the Mai-Kai calendar Read the full article here ..... http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2007-12-13/news/from-here-to-eternity/

I came across this recent article about the Mai Kai from the Broward-Palm Beach New Times newspaper. A focus of the article is the rockabilly angle, due to Slip and the Spinouts who were playing that night, but I was most intrigued by the following sections that highlighted some of the Mai Kai's past. I do know that the Molokai does have blonde servers today.

Quote #1

"In the 1950s, when the Mai-Kai opened its doors, the NAACP had begun campaigning against blackface entertainment. At the same time, the Mai-Kai's tribute to the South Pacific included non-Polynesian servers and dancers who used make-up and wigs to juice up their "South Seas" look — without public outcry."

Quote #2

" .....She and the other servers were "hot girls who all wore stuff like this," Barker said, gesturing to the servers in their tropical print bandeau tops and mini sarongs.

With one difference. "Here you can't be blonde," I said.

Eden Scanlon, 36, once a Mai-Kai server herself, said I spoke the truth. A blonde co-worker had been required to wear a black wig, said Scanlon, who's still Miss February on the Mai-Kai calendar

Read the full article here .....
http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2007-12-13/news/from-here-to-eternity/

Post #350092 by ikitnrev on Mon, Dec 17, 2007 6:39 PM