Post #428756 by KuKu on Wed, Jan 14, 2009 3:04 PM

On 2009-01-14 13:48, bigbrotiki wrote:
The above question strikes me as a little naive in two ways, so I feel compelled to post a little Tiki mug history and reality review:

1.) Tiki style in general was an American mainland phenomenon. Tiki mugs were invented as a MAINLAND Polynesian restaurant souvenir, and during the heyday of Tiki, thousands were created and sold to rum-happy customers. Yet Tiki culture came to a grinding halt in the 1970s, and by the 80s the Tiki mug custom was virtually dead. Almost none of the few remaining restaurants served in and sold Tiki mugs anymore. (There were exceptions, I bought a Bumatay mug I drank out of at the Hala Kahiki as late as 1996). But in general, they were just not available anymore. AND: Even during that heyday period of Tiki, mugs created for Hawaiian restaurants and resorts made up for maybe 5% of all the Tiki mugs created --because Tiki style was not really present in the Islands.

2.) Fast forward to the 1990s and 2000s: Tiki mugs became collectibles, and with the growth of the Tiki revival, were being manufactured again --first one by one by pioneers of the art like Bosko, than by Tiki Farm, whose mass-manufacturing did make it viable to consider using Tiki mugs as restaurant ware again --but this did not begin to happen until, oh, 2005 or so. This of course again was attempted on the mainland first. Tiki Farm has made great strides in bringing back the memento Tiki mug custom, and with Frankie's Tiki Room in Las Vegas created the first lavish, complete line of Tiki mugs available from a cocktail menu since the 1960s (!). Yet to find a take-home Tiki mug is still a comparatively rare occurrence. And just like during the mid-century, to find establishments that serve cocktails in take -home Tiki mug in the ISLANDS is that much rarer, I can't think of one, but I am sure Holden would know.

This is not to say that this question is not best posted here on Tiki Central, because if anybody knows, they would be found here. There might be some mug designs floating around by Asian restaurant supply companies still, just like they were in the 80s and 90s, but I consider these not really representative of the Tiki mug as a desirable art object.

Dude, what is your problem?!? All I was asking if anyone knows if there are, as there have been in the past, as I have for one, acquired them in my youth in Waikiki in the early to mid 70's and have seen them on ebay, know of any place that might have a tiki mug that I may want to add to my collection while on vacation in Hawaii. I didn't need to be put down and called naive and get a lecture.

Believe it or not, while you were growing up somewhere else in the world, in a different culture, I was growing up in San Diego and actually living within this world of tiki that you have become so consumed with in the later part of of your life. I watched from a sandy bluff on my mini bike as the heavy equipment broke ground for Sea World and then enjoyed it's attractions 4 or more times a year with my family and on school field trips. Special occasions were dinner at the Bali Hai and we fished from the rocks there as kids in the sixty's. I have been traveling to the islands since to early 70's while my father was producing albums for Don Ho and we were treated as royalty. I have also been surfing there ever since...

I have your books and a good deal of respect for you and your knowledge of Polynesian pop culture and am glad you came to this country and educated yourself about something really cool and then shared your findings in print. But for you to come off as some kind of superior human and treat others as idiots is not cool. Just because you may not deem something as art doesn't mean many others here might find some appreciation. Do you really think Tiki Bob's mug looks anything like a tiki?!? So get down of your pedestal and understand that some of us here are truly lifelong locals of tiki bro, regardless if you think we are up to your caliber and standards.

So, as you even mentioned in point 2 of your lecture, there might be a place that has recently produced a collectible new mug. Funny how you didn't really answer my simple thread question as to where there might be a mug to be had around the islands.

Aloha...