Post #722171 by Dr. Coruba on Thu, Jul 10, 2014 8:50 AM

Aloha Tiki Thirstdayers!

Tonight we celebrate with Tiki Thirstday 17 (no, not the movie with William Holden), and I can happily say that it is going strong and growing. Mahalo to all who come and share. We've gone from a dozen friends who wondered if it could work at all, to a regular night out that we all look forward to each week (or as often as life allows). Lately we've been very full with our last six weeks averaging over 30 people, but even when the numbers do run low, the torches burn bright and the Aloha spirit is high.

And though I have been mentioning numbers, it is just to share how we are growing - to merely mark the high and low tides. Our Tiki Thirstday night out, like Tiki itself, is not about how many, but how much. How much pleasure comes from gathering together. How much the soft blue glow of a flame in an exotic drink can transport you to another place and time. How much relaxation that comes from an evening of "Island Time." It is in this spirit I'd like to share a couple of comments sent to me recently from some of you who say it so well...

"It's good people and good times, and even if you don't know anyone... the crowd is so welcoming that you'll have some new friends even if you just come to one."

"This is the tiki/Ohana spirit I think many of us forget when we get wrapped up in our own collections and ideas of what it means to be tiki. :)"

Mahalo nui loa na ho'olaule'a me la kaua! - Jeff

**Tonight for those who can...**  
Guest DJs Wanted! Do you have a iPod, iPad, iPhone, just filled to the brim with Exotica and other Tiki themed music? If you've got, or can make a long playlist (around two hours), bring it in and we'll hook you up to the sound system in the Lounge.

**Bring a favorite or fun Tiki mug**  
The eagle eyed among you may have noticed some of us bringing our own Tiki mugs to enjoy our drinks in. Aside from keeping track of your drink, it is another way of Tiki-ing up our evening and may be the beginnings of a Mug Club that some of our Thirstdayers have been talking about.

**Who is interested in having...**  
A "Vinyl Night" Tiki Thirstday night over the next few weeks? One of our new regulars, Josè, has generously offered to bring a vintage turntable and some of his vinyl Exotica collection to play for us. Others could bring in some of their favorite vinyl to mix in as well. Please let me know via email or at tonight's gathering if this is something you'd like to see us have.

**Still looking for...**  
Chef Fu is looking for few quality "fan back"  or "Peacock" rattan/wicker chairs to help decorate the Lounge. If any of you know where these can be bought new, especially locally, that would be a great help. Fyi, several good friends have pointed to second hand/Craig's List bargains, but because this will be restaurant seating (perhaps one chair each at 2-4 of the front tables), they need to be first quality and hold up to daily use.