Post #562938 by bongofury on Mon, Nov 1, 2010 5:59 PM

Cool stuff but more questions than answers. I can't decipher anything from the aerial photos but the newspaper articles need to be addressed. Built in 1961. Movie released in 65 probably shot in 64 when the Tonga Lei was fairly new. No bushes or trees in the movie, but when the Coopers bought it in 77 they cut them down? There was the logo Tiki in 64/65 but it seems the Coopers bought Tikis From The Sea & Jungle shop in 77. My Theory: The Aloha Room entrance/Motel/landscaping is just to the South of the building as (not) seen in the menu renderings and movie and the Tiki seen in the photo & Bananbobs post was added in 77 or ? Looks like it had some Tiki style but embellished when the new owners saw the Bali Hai? I'm confused by all of this. Are the menu/matchbooks dated? No logo mugs?

Also 2 story motel with 9 rooms? 5 on the 1st floor and 4 on top? 9 over the restaurant? Tahitian decor out of style? the movie (Beach Ball) shows some interior scenes but appear to be a set. Would like to see photos of the area where the "dancing" was. Who is up for looking at all the episodes of the Rockford Files for more video?

Bad timing for Don The Beachcomber who bought the Tonga Lei & The Trade Winds in Oxnard about the same time and only lasted a couple of years at both locations. Help!