Post #668224 by LessZoa on Thu, Feb 21, 2013 1:02 PM

In the category of "...where is it now..."

This is the "tiki gods" panel that hung over the kitchen/service counter of the Tahitian Lanai. As a young girl in the early 70's, my grandparents used to take me to all kinds of restaurants around the island - and the TL was probably one of their favorites as it was a huge landmark and represented the kitsch & "Old Hawaii" my grandmother loved. My grandparents moved & settled on Oahu in 1958. My grandfather decided to retire here after having been stationed at Schofield. My grandmother was a RN at TAMC (where I was born) until her retirement in 1975. They would entertain friends and family that came to visit the islands, so dining out at all these touristy spots was a weekly thing for my family. I vaguely remember the panel where it hung and when I saw it where it is today (read further) I was taken back to my "hanabata" days.

This piece was bought at the infamous auction when the Waikikian closed by the owner of LION Coffee which became part of the Hawaii Coffee Company (by which I am employed as "web master"). The piece now hangs in the LION Coffee Cafe located in Kalihi on Kalani Street.

There is some evident termite damage and obvious "fixes" done to keep the piece together. As the unofficial curator of historical items for the company, I am researching ALL of the art and memorabilia owned by the company (considering the coffee brand is just about 150 years old - that's a lot of stuff!). From Wolson Spice to Hawaiian Tikis... I so love what I'm doing here! :D

The piece hangs over the barista's area and many tourists who come for the factory tour ask questions about the panel. I'd like to make a fact placard to display on the wall near it, featuring the Waikikian, Tahitian Lanai and some history of Old Waikiki. Hawaii Coffee Company does free factory tours several times a day - so this is definitely a piece of Hawaiiana people would enjoy learning about.

This thread has given me so much information - thank you! But I still have some facts I need to clarify - so if anyone can help I'd so much appreciate it!

1. Who REALLY designed/carved the panel?

>  
> *On 2006-04-16 06:16, bigbrotiki wrote:*  
> ...  
> 5.)Stanley Stubenberg, my favorite Tiki modern graphic designer in Waikiki, did the Menu cover for the Tahitian Lanai, and **probably also the design for the carved Tiki panels behind the bar**  
> ...  
>

Has this been confirmed? It does look like his style - but I'd like to have confirmation of this for the placard.

2. One of my Uncles once told me the panel was titled "Tiki Gods" - is this true, or just my Uncle being his know-it-all-self? If not, is there a name for the piece?

3. Any further story/information on the panel would be icing on the cake and a perfect addition to the placard

Coming from a family of collectors, I have a lot of stuff I am going through as I've inherited boxes & albums and slides that once belonged to my grandparents. If I find anything else related to the Waikikian/Tahitian Lanai, will add here.

A hui hou!
~Less