Post #777316 by rum on the rideau on Wed, Jun 28, 2017 1:25 PM

Here's some pics from the 2017 Hukilau. This was our first ever tiki event of any kind. It was, however, our 3rd trip from Ottawa to the Mai-Kai in the past 14 months. 1st visit was part of the Desperately Seeking Tiki Tour: Part I (we are currently planning Part III: The "Wet" Coast, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver). For the longest time it seemed everyone we met were 1st timers, so there were indeed quite a few newbies like us. A tip someone posted here was to go to everything. So we tried. I went to all 4 of the Cocktail Academy courses and 2 Symposiums, while the better half did the carving course with Will. We did not do any of the Mermaid shows or the "Rat Pack", but in hindsight sleep is for when you get back home. We both had a blast. It had rained so hard since we arrived on Tuesday, but the weather cleared up nicely in time for the Pool Party. All the cocktails were amazing. Did some shopping. Met so many people. Everyone was so helpful and friendly and we had an amazing time. Doff of the cap to the organizers and the volunteers.

Hyatt Regency Pier 66

Wednesday: The Hukilau Pre-Party at Mai-Kai w. DJ James Brown's Sweat

Great to roam the Mai-Kai while eerily empty

Thursday: First Timers Welcome Reception

The Tiki Tower Takeover

Tiki Treasures Bazaar

This year's mug

Friday: Rum Island Pool Party

Sip 'n Dip Lounge - Great Falls Montana

The S.O.S. Tiki Bar - Decatur Ga.

Flask & Cannon - Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Pagan Idol - San Francisco

Friday: The History of Rum in 10 Cocktails – Ian Burrell

Friday: Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy -- Three Dots & a Dash What Just One Rum Can't Do

Friday: Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy -- Scotty Schuder On the First Day God Made the Daiquiri

Friday: The High Tide Party at The Hukilau

The Mermers

The Surfrajettes

Saturday: Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy -- Daniele Dalla Pola Pineapple Paradise

Saturday: Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy -- Hidden Harbor Art & Science of the Tiki Garnish

Saturday: High End Rum Tasting -- Ian Burrell

Forgot to add the rums... The tastings, in order, were Ron Barcelo Imperial Blend 30th Anniversary, Mount Gay 1703 Master Select, Appleton Estate 21 Yr., Rhum J.M XO, Dos Mederas PX (5x5), El Dorado 21 Special Reserve and then some Plantation 20th Anniversary as a bonus

Mai-Kai Saturday Night

Stolen Idols

The Hula Girls

Skinny Jimmy & Stingrays

Sunday: The Hukilau Finale Lost Cocktails of the Mai-Kai

Sunlight in the Mai-Kai!!

Behind the stage

a raise of the cocktail to all organizers, volunteers, participants, vendors, workers involved.

[ Edited by: rum on the rideau 2017-06-28 13:34 ]