Post #46946 by bigbrotiki on Fri, Aug 8, 2003 3:41 PM

Well that was nice! Went snorkeling almost everyday, and thanks to gracious host Gecko discovered Sharks Cove, a really nice local spot on the North Shore.

Met my friend DeSoto Brown at the Bishop Museum where he is the archivist and where he contributed to the current Ku exhibit with a little display of Ku Tiki mugs and such, an important step in the acceptance of Tiki culture.

DeSoto was the first to publish a book on Hawaiiana with his 1982 "Hawaii Recalls", and he has since published and contributed to numerous publications, his last being "The Art of The Aloha Shirt" and the last two chapters to "Finding Paradise".

Went to TIKI'S Bar and Grill and met Kelly the Tiki enthusiast owner, who as the first Tiki collector had the foresight to buy and hang up a Shag copy, the Jungle Cruise one, by some little kid, very funny. Otherwise the place is done really well for a nouveaux Tiki joint, lots of Tikis by Leroy, some Bosko and Crazy Al, lots of Shag prints and contempo Tiki art.

The evening at La Mariana's was full of great singers and musicians, and I had about 5 different alcoholic concoctions, but for some reason not me but the guy on the table next to ours threw up all over the table.

Got to show Gecko the Hula Hut, last remaining unaltered Spencecliff venue (from 1970), but this was just peanuts to what he got to show me!:

Sunday we went to an afternoon dance for old folks at some bland 80s club called the "Blue Tropic", where several musician veterans were guesting in the band...there Gecko introduced me to no other than Martin Denny, and I saw him perform "Quiet Village" on stage.

To top that, we were invited to his condo in Hawaii Kai on Tuesday afternoon, where we got to look at his photo albums and listen to stories. I was so honored and moved by this opportunity, since Mr. Denny is 92 years old and is not going to be around forever.

Thanks Gecko, your ticket to a personal LA Tiki Tour is waiting here for you.