Post #58059 by Kailuageoff on Sun, Nov 2, 2003 8:10 PM

Marian and I have gotten to be friends with Wayne and Teauila who perform and manage the luau show at the Hawaiian Inn. (Wayne has my Book of Tiki right now and I need to get it from him.) Some people dog the Hawaiian Inn because it is not the Mai-Kai, but we could care less. I've been visiting tiki places all over the U.S. -- including the Hawaiian Inn -- since before their was a Tiki News, Shag, a Book of Tiki, Tiki Farm or any of the other worthwhile revival stuff -- and the Hawaiian Inn is about as authentic as it gets. It also has honest to God charm if your open-minded enough to get it. Their show is a family operation in the same way as the Mai-Kai, however, the Hawaiian Inn has never been (or pretends to be) a multi-million dollar operation. It is a tiki tourist hotel with a Hawaiian show and luau in Daytona Beach, Fla. supporting a family of entertainers. They don't make alot of money, but the show doesn't cost a fortune either. Also, I happen to like the food. And Dave and Frank who tend the bars are great guys to drink with even if they are between mug suppliers right now.
Basically, we go there alot for drinks, dinner, to swim or just to hang out. We used to go for the Witco tiki, but now we go as much just to see our friends.
Unlike some of us recent tiki converts (or as Wayne Coombs - another 30 year vet in the business likes to say, "you freaky tiki people"), they have been performing in and have managed Polynesian shows since they were in their teens and have now survived 30 years in a very tough business.
Otto should interview these people. For example, I asked Wayne if he knew anything about who made OMC mugs. "Oh yeah that was .... and the other guy was .... he sold all the Orchids of Hawaii." His offhand answer impressed me because the last time I heard the whole OMC thing was a big freakin mystery. Check your collection.... anyone happen to have some Hawaiian Inn mugs? Yeah, I thought so. Did I say these people have roots in this business? They go deep.
Lately some people from Tiki Central have visted. One from Chicago and another from Jacksonville. They tried to get Wayne to sell some of the hotel's Witco pieces. Fortunely, he didn't sell anything. Why? Because his collection should be kept together where any of us can visit and appreciate it! Hopefully, most of you can relate to that.
Actually, it kind of hacked me off when I heard about this, so I told Wayne about the book Sven is trying to get published and said he should hang onto everything he has as long as possible. His reaction was to call me aside at the end of the show and give me a Witco carving....
What I'm trying to say is these people live aloha and Marian and I try to as well. So we would be happy to go to the show with anyone who has the same and isn't going to embarass us by asking if they can buy the furniture or rewrite the frickin' show.
Hugs & Kisses,
KG