Post #759709 by HopeChest on Thu, Feb 25, 2016 10:11 PM

So, it turns out there’s no need to watch “Experiment In Terror” from 1962 in the hopes of getting a screenshot of the front of the Waikiki.

In 1954, 2741 Taylor was occupied by Hi Tide Fish Grotto.

In 1955, 2741 Taylor was occupied by a place called either Casa Mia or Cara Mia (methinks, given the large Italian community in the immediate area, it’s the latter).

...and then...

Waikiki Beachcomber Inc.
Incorporation / business entity filed with the state 7/27/1956
Current status with the state: FTB Suspended (that means that they most likely didn’t pay their taxes)

A directory lists the following for 1957 and 1958:

Calvin W. Ontal, President
Clyde Kong, Vice President
Walton E. Wood, Secretary
Thomas McBryde, Treasurer
Ed M. Ball, Manager

The first three - Ontal, Kong, and Wood - have Hawaii connections. All lived in Hawaii at one point, and I believe it was Oahu for all as well. Ontal, and possibly Kong, were from Honolulu.

In 1959, a directory now lists:

Waikiki Beachcomber Inc.
Hal Wilkins, President
Thom Zane, Vice President
Your Hosts
Seafood At Its Best On Fisherman’s Wharf
GRaystone4-0434

Calvin Ontal is now listed at Tropical Hawaiian Wholesale Florists on Brannan St.

...and then in 1960 and 1961, 2741 Taylor is officially listed as vacant.

1956 to 1960 - there’s your timeline for the Waikiki.