Post #53684 by pablus on Fri, Oct 3, 2003 2:36 PM

"The Conclusion of Mai Kai Vibes"

Just driving by the place with the Martin Denny CD playing in the truck had me spinning. It looked like a 3 acre island in the middle of an ocean of asphalt. So inviting. So Tiki.

Thus began my jaunt to the happy conclusion of this tale set in Polynesian splendor with me seated behind a tropical libation.

We walked in and were seated at the table in the back of the Molkai Bar looking at the 15' waterfall. The manager walked up and immediately treated us like relatives.

A view of the case of wines that we had brought with us brought a big smile to his face and the fact that his vacation started within 15 hours made him even more relaxed... enough to share dinner with us as we opened a bottle of 1959 St. Emillion. It was wonderful - but after my "sip" I let them skip merrily through the movement of the vine's flavors while I greedily slogged through the remaining drink menu items.

Group Hug Time.
Kern loves you.

He spoke very highly of the Hukilau, as did everyone there... and to a person they all looked forward to your return.

He mentioned several by name and asked me to pass on his affections and Alohas.

Here are some generalized quotes from he who holds the sacred trust:
(my personal asides in parentheses)

"The King" Kukulele. All Hail. He never stops.
AlnShelly. Wonderful people... they just kept on laughing.
Basement Kahuna. What an artist. The detail is amazing. (I got to cleave the gift-shop girl in twain with one of your clubs, BK! What fun.)
Swanky and Kiliki. It's so good to have them here because they really understand the history and the event is very well organized.
Brad Owens. How is his bar going? He kept cheering me all night - it made me feel like a celebrity. ( I said you had abandoned the bar and started hanging out with fashion designers.)
Bamboo Ben. That suit he had. I coudn't believe it - it was awesome.
Tristan & Bre-elle. They're just terrific.

More than likely there were many others, but rum probably erased some of his comments. Don't feel slighted. He did mention Otto and the more "famed" among the tribe.

JT - you made a true impression. He mentioned you several times. Oddly... one time was while standing next to the shrunken head.

It was a relaxed, 5 hour evening of conversation and laughter that passed so quickly that before we knew it - we were the only ones there... sitting alone with Kern and a few of the lovely wahines who kept the fresh drinks coming until past closing.

A more gracious host, I couldn't have imagined. A more wonderful urban setting there couldn't be. The gardens with their tikis and masks and water features and the polynesian decor of the interior were transcendent. It was a pause in space and time that nearly exhausted my efforts to resist. The sort of place that leaves one reaching for words. Pictures certainly could not portray the depth and "layers" of natural grasses, rocks, cloth and artwork.

What a fantastic conclusion to this story. Thanks to the people here at Tiki Central and the Hukilau, I was welcomed as a part of the tribe, even though I'm a groveling, non-Californian newcomer.

Yes, the wine was the catalyst. It was a spectacular collection we took him and surely you'll see some of the bottles in a glass case near the entrance one day. He bought it for nickels on the dollar because JJ, who also knows about Tiki Central and our passions here, was more interested in returning the bottles to their rightful home than making a profit.
(And, he fell in love with the lovely Thai girl behind the bar.)

Everyone kept saying "thank you" to each other throughout the night, the sure sign of a great transaction.

And so this thread ends with me saying "thank you" to you all for allowing me to stand in the shadows of T.C. and the Hukilau and capture a few very cool hours of partying with a knowledgable, affable and important host.

I still believe that I make a better Mai Tai. But that Zombie......oh. my. kai.

I averted the siren songs of the Mystery Bowl & the Polynesian Show until I could bring the Amber Love Goddess with me.
After reading the reviews of the place here and elsewhere, I knew I couldn't take it all in in one night anyway.