Post #772250 by MadDogMike on 01/21/2017

Well today didn't work out like I planned so I didn't get it buttoned up today. And I can't seem to get my MS Publisher at home to work so looks like I won't wrap it up til Monday at work :(

I was trying to find an opening date for the Bali Hai but wasn't having much luck so I emailed the restaurant. Maybe this is already well known information but here was their response

While the actual day of the Grand Opening is a topic of much debate, October of 1954 is the month that Tom Ham opened the doors of the Bali Hai. Christian's Hut was the previous name, a spin off of the Balboa location that burned down in 1963. There is also some debate about what exactly the connection between the Balboa store and the San Diego store, but there are old menus and coasters that list both locations. The San Diego store was in its second bankruptcy, when Tom Ham, a public accountant from Los Angeles, stepped in to give the restaurant business a try.
Aloha,

Tommy Baumann
Bali Hai Restaurant