Post #426784 by GatorRob on Fri, Jan 2, 2009 3:33 PM

Here are some pictures I took a couple of days ago.

A wooden beam structure is being constructed on the portico. It will then be covered with thatch. This work is being done by the local Seminole Indian tribe, so I take it these guys know what they're doing. As you can see, work has only just begun here, but I think its going to look terrific when they're done.

Here's the thatched roof over the bar in the Molokai. :down:

I've used a flash so you can see it, but even though the thatch is synthetic, it looks good in the dim lighting.

The under side of the bar roof :down:

The underside may not be old school Chinese newspaper-covered corrugated metal (by the way, I'd love to know where THAT idea originally came from), but what they've done looks very nice. It's dark and blends in well. If you saw the nasty layer of gunk that was coating the old corrugated metal before, you'll be glad it's gone.

All the thatching in the Tahiti dining room has also been replaced. Somoa dining room is next.

Oh, and the dining room chairs are getting replaced very soon. I know the ones in the back dining rooms are getting replaced. Not sure about the older ones in the Molokai and the main dining room. I hope those stay. I love those chairs. Some are in need of repair, but they're a great design.

Kern seems excited. I am too! It's so great to see that they're investing in it. We are extremely lucky that all of this is happening. The Mai-Kai looks here to stay for a long while!