Post #439693 by bigbrotiki on Fri, Mar 13, 2009 8:32 AM

The reason why me and other folks like to clarify and differentiate in this matter is that since Tiki became collectable, e-bay sellers have labeled all sorts of things "Tiki" that are not, and in turn many people have adopted that laissez-faire approach. We are concerned with a "watering down" of the unique qualities of Tiki style, so we point out that a Hula nodder is not a Tiki nodder --it is what it depicts. So your find is a King Kamehameha mug. Here is my take on the King K icon:

Posted: 2008-02-06 10:02 am by bigbrotiki:

On 2008-02-03 22:36, 8FT Tiki wrote:
....The building and grounds were all designed and built by Mr. William Parkhurst.....He had traveled to Hawaii on several occasions and sent back lots of souvenirs and art...

When I hear relatives telling that "Hawaii" story, I am often hesitant to accept that as the whole truth. For people who have no idea of American Tiki culture, the original sources of objects are often forgotten over time, and ...where else would this stuff come from, right? That's why I have encountered things like Witco fountains that the 2nd or 3rd generation owners in all earnest claimed to be from Hawaii.

In this case though, I am entirely convinced that the above genealogy of the inspiration that led to this Tiki temple is truthful. The absence of any restaurant industry lamps and decor, and the use of King Kamehameha as the principal logo suggest that Mr. Parkhurst indeed was gleaning his ideas straight from Hawaii.

One curious fact that supports that is that Kamehameha almost NEVER was used as an icon of Tiki culture on the mainland, while he was often rendered in HAWAIIAN Polynesian Pop.