Post #405223 by Koolau on Sun, Aug 31, 2008 8:12 PM

Real carved tikis are fairly hard to come by on Oahu - some suggestions:

• Polynesian Cultural Center (although I think many of these are sculpted rather than carved). Also check out the tikis in front of the Laie Inn.
• Bishop Museum (of course), the real-kine thing, but there are less tiki on exhibit than you would expect
• La Mariana Sailing Club for the amazing accumulation of Poly-Pop tikis and tiki poles
• The Hawaiiana Hotel in Waikiki, but many of the tikis are so old, eroded and shellaced that they are somewhat dissappointing
• Tikis Bar and Grill for some fun new tikis and a ton of Shag prints in the back room

Your mention of driving all the way out to the west side was probably a visit to the heiau in Makaha - I've never been out there, but I think there are some repro tikis in the authentic style.

Consider a visit to some of the other old Hawaiian sites - they are mostly piles of rock and/or rock walls, but it is quite amazing to think of all the labor that went into transporting those rocks. And if the weather is right (windy/rainy), and you're alone, they can be quite spooky. Maybe it's the mana.

Heiau: Pupukea on the North Shore, above Waimea Valley; Upo Heiau in Kailua, behind the YMCA; heiau at the end of Aiea Heights Road; Kukaniloko Birthing Stones outside of Wahiawa.

Superferry is about 5 hours each way - 2 hours for car inspection/loading and 3 hours transit. About $70 for your car and $60 for each person.

Have an excellent time.