Post #564903 by JOHN-O on Sat, Nov 13, 2010 12:49 PM

On 2010-11-12 10:50, MadDogMike wrote:
John-O did you grow up in Hawaii or just visit as a child? My only trip to Oahu was in 2003 (before I knew much about tiki), I'm interested in hearing your take.

No Mike, I didn't grow up in Hawaii or visit when I was a child.

I grew up in Rosemead ("Birthplace of the Tiki Revival" :D ) and didn't make it to Hawaii until 1992. From that time however I was pretty much an annual visitor, mostly for adventure travel on the outer islands.

Eventually through mainland friends who grew up in Hawaii, I was invited to backyard parties, beach luaus, and weddings in Oahu. That gave me an exposure to local culture that most tourists don't get to experience. I found that most people born and raised in Hawaii don't have the same interest and affection toward mid-century Tiki-style that we have in California. To Locals it's a "tourist thing" and for the most part they avoid Waikiki. They also don't have the same sentimentality towards the area that a mainland tourist would.

As as result, I never really tracked Poly-Pop history in Hawaii like I have for So CA. Even though I was spending time in Honolulu (mostly as a gateway stay), I missed out on the Waikikian Hotel when it was still standing as well seeing Don Ho perform (that one kills me). I probably walked by Don's Treehouse dozens of times but never really noticed it or understood its history. Now it's too late. :(

I'm sure some of my "flippant" remarks on IMP have horrified many here but I am being honest. Consider this thread as "evolution" of a Tikiphile. :)

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-11-14 14:37 ]