Post #619119 by Phillip Roberts on Thu, Dec 29, 2011 12:09 PM

Aloha,

We are pretty close on the Waikiki Timeline, but I start it earlier with Donn's arrival in 1946 and his three grass shacks on Kalakaua Avenue. The 1953-1958 time-spans of Wimberly and Cook Waikiki buildings with Brownlee carvings are ascension phase. Kaiser put up the Tiki-style laden Hawaiian Village in the midst of this expansion in 1955. The Hawaiiana and Breakers cabana-style hotels open in this period with decorations in a Polynesian Style. Hotels all over the island chain follow suit.

Yes, Brownlee has a great whimsy with which he cuts wood. His early carvings vary from very authentic to goofy; it's later in his career (and we’re really only talking a few years, here!) where abstract sculpture seems to become his primary interest. Only then, does he seem to be hacking idols as he gets constricted with the original forms.

“And getting paid very little for it,” I can hear him say.

Pre-tiki in Waikiki includes the Shark God / Menehune (1929) at the Royal, Trader Vic’s (1940) at the Ward Estate. Bergeron’s a partner, even tending bar at the opening, but after a brawl with “Granny” Abbott four months in he cuts a deal to sell his share (but restrict the name to ONE restaurant EVER in the islands) and then assume the directorship of drinks at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel while he concentrated on his mainland empire.

The 1960’s and 1970's are full of “Spencecliff” Weaver’s joints; normal coffee shops with slapped up decorations imported cheaply from Tahiti. If it didn’t work in one, it moved to another nearby property. In contrast, Peter Canlis, provides a fine dining experience at his broiler. Plenty of mom and pop shops open and close too! Lauhala Travana is carving as Brownlee goes to Oregon. Sailors and others from Viet Nam are still coming here to whore around on leave and are EXPECTING this island style to be in place so it continues to grow here as it declines. I’m sure Hawaii 5-0, filmed in this period is somewhat it looked like here, but less. 1974 sees “Don the Beachcomber” open on Maui as AmFac seeks to expand their brand. It doesn’t work as Donn Beach is working on the Waiakia Resort on the Big Island and managing the properties at the Market and doesn’t have time to devote his full attention to it.

Tiki is hitting an APEX in the islands as Poly pop is ebbing on the mainland. But in Hawaii, in 1980, ALL three major chains are operating in some way or another; all serving rum drinks and selling mugs to the visitors. Enter Japanese investors, whose strong yen to buy and gut operations to improve the bottom line. La Mariana survives a buy out and adds the décor (with money in a Halliburton briefcase left by a ninja who was never heard from again) as old joints slowly close. The Islands decline starts in earnest. Later in 1989, after Donn's passing, the trend has lost its staunchest proponent and places close. The Tahitian Lanai ends its run in 1999 and the contents are sold at auction by “Surfer Joe” Tiepo. Certain items from the restaurant are currently accounted for and others are not.
2003 comes and “Tiki's Grill and Bar” opens and survives with a better atmosphere, food, and drink menu. Other places open, close, open, etc. 2009 is especially brutal as the Hawaiian Hut, as Spencecliff’s last ornate Tiki show room shutters and is gutted; converted into a Jewish synagogue. Also closing as the book goes into print is the “Coconut (formally the Cock’s Roost at the ITNL) Willy’s” and the Hawaiiana Hotel.

And since you asked…

This slide is labeled as “Kona Lagoon Hotel” entrance. 1981.