Post #486682 by Bohemiann on Tue, Oct 6, 2009 11:27 AM

Totally loaded question! I have had to revert back to lurking here on TC for many reasons and I hesitate to even post comments anymore but... here goes;

One must define TIKI in order to answer the question and we all know the can of worms that opens! Purist will regard all the "TIKI Bars" here in Florida as "Posers" and depending on the definition I might be inclined to agree. If you counted the number of thatch hut bars calling themselves tiki bars in Florida ...... Dude! Just here in Sarasota County we have at least 50. 3 worth visiting and 0 that make a decent drink (not counting my house!). There is a ton going on in Fla. that does not show up on the radar...I have met 5 local carvers in the past month, a few very talented, that have never even heard of TC, Hukilau, or the Mai-Kai.

So .... having lived in Cali and Florida and having spent a good amount of time in Hawaii:

Hawaii from the traditional Polynesian culture standpoint
Cali from the "Pop Culture" standpoint
Florida for sheer numbers and audacity.

Obviously I need to explore more of Ohio. And honorable mention fer sure and I look forward to the research.