Post #777493 by Hakalugi on Mon, Jul 3, 2017 10:55 PM

On 2017-07-01 12:14, happy buddha wrote:
Just for some perspective, does anyone know specifically what is causing the offense? Is it the mere existence of a tiki bar, or using island imagery and artifacts as decor, or is it the use of big white buck toothed sunglass-wearing 'joe cool' tiki imagery?
Because there is some precedent for the latter being seen as insensitive. But would the protesters be offended at a place like the Mai Kai, or Vic's, where they celebrate the culture and origins, even while making it their own?

The latter was definitely part of the issue. From the article:

Davidson said that residents of Polynesian ancestry, including those with the Oregon State University Asian and Pacific Cultural Center, complained about a combination of factors such as the use of a Hawaiian name, traditional iconography displayed in a cartoonish way, and how plastic leis were handed off to customers.

Personally, I tend to get offended by these cartoonish Tikis too!