Post #603472 by Luki on Mon, Aug 22, 2011 6:08 PM

There's a lot more going on than just big vs. small, pure vs. bastardized.

Two big elements are "perception" and "availability".

Perception - What is considered exotic and desirable as such? This is something that's hard to force, hard to introduce to a generation that would often rather go shopping in Dubai than sipping a mai tai in a tiki-guarded lagoon.

Availability - Today's exotica, in terms of home decor, is what you'll find at places like Pier 1 and World Market (and Target's Global Bazaar), which mostly comes from Africa and Asia and has very little to do with the South Pacific in general.

So there's a big gap. Many of the people here may have grown up surrounded by, or at least teased with, tiki culture as pop culture. Many saw only glimpses of it (my own fascination started on a family trip to Oahu and Hawaii in 1980), but if families aren't taking those vacations, if they're not decorating and listening to the music, if they're drinking appletinis instead of zombies, then where is the exposure that will lead to people wanting to embrace or be a part of the culture now and / or when they get older?

Sven, I completely understand your comment about wanting it to be more pop culture, but think about the best parties you've ever had. They may get big and crazy and fun, and it may be great to share those good times with all of those people, but at the end of the night, the little group of close friends who stick around til the wee hours still remains the most important.