Post #51237 by atomictonytiki on Sun, Sep 14, 2003 6:32 AM

I was taking the bus to work on friday and was passing a local lesiure complex and high on the building side was a sign "Waikiki Beach" opens 26th september.
My heart trembled a tiki bar opening here in edinburgh WOW, then i got to work and discovered this little article in the local newspaper..

Evening News
Fri 12 Sep 2003

Aloha hard work for bar's staff

STAFF at Edinburgh’s new beach bar are being taught how to speak Hawaiian before it opens its doors.

Workers at Waikiki will have to get their tongues around phrases like Komo Mai (welcome) and Mahalo (thank you).

Bosses say the move is aimed at ensuring visitors to the Fountainbridge bar will enjoy a "living and breathing Hawaiian experience".

General manager Andy Millichamp said: "We’re trying to create an atmosphere of Hawaii that is as close to the real thing as possible. Our staff will be in full traditional costume, including garlands of flowers and sea shells. It’s been a bit of a struggle to pick up the lingo, but it’s also been great fun."

The Evening News revealed last week how staff at Waikiki, named after the Hawaiian resort, would be taking to the streets of Fountainbridge dressed in grass skirts and bikinis to promote the new venture.

Waikiki, which is opening later this month on the site of the former Brannigans, is promising visitors a temperature indoors of up to 32C (90F), a cascading waterfall, palm trees and screenings of surf videos.

The 1200-capacity venue has been created at a cost of £1 million at the FountainPark leisure complex. The Fountainbridge bar has also ordered a speedboat, scuba-diving equipment and wetsuits to help with promotions around the city.

...you may expect my expidition report soon after this "Beach Bar" opens.