Florida Hawaiian/Tiki Resorts

Wow, I know exactly where that is. Using Hukilau logistics, it's about 12 miles southwest of The Mai-Kai and about 10 miles directly west of the Bahia Cabana.

It's not far from the Hawaiian Gardens, which has been well documented: http://www.critiki.com/cgi-bin/location.cgi?loc_id=540
I'm surpirsed this one flew under the radar. Just did some Google research. From what I can tell it was built around the same time as Hawaiian Gardens (early to mid-'70s).

Hawaiian Gardens is now a condo retirement community for ages 55+ but Polynesian Gardens appears to be open to all ages. It contains 475 condo units in five buildings/complexes. Like most other older condos in the current real estate market, prices have plummeted below $100,000 and there have been quite a few foreclosures. But it appears to be well-kept and has not fallen into disrepair, at least if you can believe the Realtor photos.

So, let me run by there and take a gander. I'll be in that area next Saturday.

So, while we all are eagerly awaiting a complete photo-report of the findings, here another example of brochure/postcard archeology, though this one is from a known-to-still-exist establishment (this brochure comes courtesy of Florida Tiki archeologist extraordinaire Kailuageoff):

The AKU TIKI INN has been introduced on page 262 of Tiki Modern (and its highly stylized entrance Tikis on page 201). With this post I want to show what was there once in terms of Witco decor, and how again Witco served as an "affordable" (i.e. low budget) solution to provide Tiki decor for the late 60s/early 70 Polynesian theme places. Here we see a full shot of the front of the Hotel:

Above left we see the A- frame entrance and check in, in the middle (the flat part) was the lobby, and on the right the Traders Restaurant.
The lobby had a couple of Witco pieces....

...which we can see better if we zoom in further and lighten up the shadow detail:

Like the Witchdoctor wall hanging on the left, and the God of Good Fortune fountain,
which fed a pond crossed by a bridge that led to the Traders Restaurant.
Here's a better shot of that fountain from a Witco catalog:

The Traders was a far cry from a full fledged Tiki palace:

......but zooming in allows us to find Witco details like a mask, a Witco shelf, and a Warrior wall hanging:

Plus it had a view on the lush jungle foliage by the pool:

The Traders Lounge wasn't that much more elaborate:

...but had strangely colorful wall masks and Witco Easter Island Tiki railing posts:

This post shall serve as yet another example of how much fun urban armchair archeology can be with a basic scanner. By zooming in and blowing up details. I was able to carve out objects from this brochure that the human eye, even with a magnifying glass, could make out that well.

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2008-12-08 21:16 ]

Sooo...anybody been to the Polynesian Gardens condos yet? Are there no Tiki archeologists left in Florida?

On 2008-12-08 21:18, bigbrotiki wrote:
Sooo...anybody been to the Polynesian Gardens condos yet? Are there no Tiki archeologists left in Florida?

..they are probably too busy filling their vans with witco they swindled out of the owners to take time to post right now....

Dave, you always expect the worst of people, don'tcha! :)
I am sure ALL Tiki Centralites know that it is absolutely taboo to field-collect specimens from still existing, intact Tiki sites such as this place. Obviously, there is still enough Witco out there in the wild for everyone, and no need to get so greedy as to sink so low to feel the need to graverob an original place, that surely would be bad mana. :(

Patience Tiki Centralites, patience. I've been on several expeditions and though my research is still ongoing I now have sufficient documentation to post. My visits to the Polynesian Gardens site have yielded the following ...

The location is not a very well-kept secret thanks to the city of Plantation's crack signage department ...

... Although a translator may be required to decipher the decaying sign at the main entrance:

These and other tikis on the site's exterior were constructed by the natives not from wood, but from some futuristic polymer:

Tikis guard the back entrance as well ... with a lot of help from the local authorities (note signs):

A closer look ...

Lacking any official archaeological expertise, we relied on the crude local nomenclature and surmised that the most important artifacts lie at the center, or "Rec Building" ...

A cluster of thatched huts signaled that we had located one of the outdoor social gathering areas, though little evidence of social activity could be found:

Beyond the huts lie moats and water hazards but still no evidence of wildlife (nice day, though, eh?):

Fountains pay tribute to the ancient Florida god of clear and humid skies:

At last, I have found the "Rec Building"!

But alas it is closed early so its inhabitants can partake in the region's various early bird specials. I'm relegated to examining the various native rules and regulations for clues.

Incredibly cool stationary and logos share space with incredibly urgent parking commands:

I manage to peer into the locked inner sanctum and behold the mighty Witco artifacts, holding court in the grand lobby. So close yet so far. Danger lurks nearby in uniformed sentry. I must move on quickly in search of the exalted game room. But I am thwarted again:

But a simple glance though the windows reveals a magnificent sight. Four lanes of tiki goodness, in pristine condition. But I must make a retreat and try to penetrate the interior on a future mission.

I make a hasty exit to the rear, which is minded by the rare "no-parking zone guardian tikis" ...

I risk a citation and venture closer:

Will Hurricane Hayward's next expedition take him into the Witco motherlode or the belly of the beast? Will he bowl a strike or a gutterball? Will he get a parking ticket?

To be continued ...

[ Edited by: Hurricane Hayward 2008-12-16 01:44 ]

On 2008-12-09 11:42, bigbrotiki wrote:
Dave, you always expect the worst of people, don'tcha! :)
I am sure ALL Tiki Centralites know that it is absolutely taboo to field-collect specimens from still existing, intact Tiki sites such as this place. Obviously, there is still enough Witco out there in the wild for everyone, and no need to get so greedy as to sink so low to feel the need to graverob an original place, that surely would be bad mana. :(

LOL- it's not that i expect the worst....it's just that experience has shown that not all tiki folk share your reverance for not plucking tiki items from tiki sites (either by direct stealing or coercion through sale by owner).....I appreciate your faith and optimism, as we all do, however you may be suprised to learn that there are always a few individuals out there (including tiki centralites) that fear no mana or bad juju when it comes to expanding their collections or their wallets...though my comment in my last post on this thread was tongue- in -cheek, we all need to keep this in mind....

..and now back to the program!!..these new pics being posted are great....what a crazy 2 headed sculpture/logo......

HH, thank you for going and documenting the place, the sign is classic Tiki archeology. I understand that you are planning to post more pics, yet I just want to make sure my laptop was displaying ALL your posted images: I counted SIX photos of the same doubleheader Tiki design from different locations around the property...and no images of the other artifacts...is that correct? Did my machine perhaps fail to open the Witco, bowling alley and lobby mural and door shots? I am honestly asking because that happened to me before...

Looks a little familiar!

On 2008-12-16 14:32, bigbrotiki wrote:
HH, thank you for going and documenting the place, the sign is classic Tiki archeology. I understand that you are planning to post more pics, yet I just want to make sure my laptop was displaying ALL your posted images: I counted SIX photos of the same doubleheader Tiki design from different locations around the property...and no images of the other artifacts...is that correct? Did my machine perhaps fail to open the Witco, bowling alley and lobby mural and door shots? I am honestly asking because that happened to me before...

Yes, the only artifacts of note on the exterior of Polynesian Gardens are the zany doubleheader tikis, which appear in three places: the front entrance, the side entrance and the clubhouse. The other photos are closeups of those. I have not finished exploring the interior and hope to do so this weekend before posting a full report on those artifacts. The good news is it all looks intact. I'm just not sure I can gain access to every room but I'm making progress.

"Zany" is a good word for those Tiki twins. If at all, they look most Tiki -like in that stationary rendering, with the wood grain. Wonder who came up with that design, and why there are two alike. Looking forward to more reports from this temple, I guess one has to move cautiously and observe the local customs in order to avoid angering the natives. Scary thought, to be haunted by those crazy joker faces!

On 2008-12-17 00:21, bigbrotiki wrote:
Scary thought, to be haunted by those crazy joker faces!

I could well imagine a "Zippy" cartoon about that...

Hurricane Hayward,

Thanks for the photos, look forward to your continued investigations.

Here are a few matchbooks I have from the Florida "Hawaiian" resorts.

This is from the Hawaiian Inn at Daytona Beach with the signature mug image.

This is from the Hawaiian Inn in St. Petes.

This is the first time I have seen the Kon Tiki Supper Club and Aloha Lounge referenced.

Interesting inside of the matchbook, looks like an early attempt at a "time share"?

DC

Following is photo documentation of the expedition deep into South Florida's Polynesian Gardens. It took multiple forays and extended talks with the natives but we were able to gain access to several inner sanctums typically not seen by outsiders.

I talked to several residents, including one lovely lady who has had the pleasure of calling Polynesian Gardens home for 31 years. Another has several units that are available for rent under a special clause in the condo bylaws. This complex typically does not allow renters. Owners must inhabit their dwelling. But with foreclosures rampant, there is some leeway allowed in special cases.

So if anyone has any designs on moving to the Fort Lauderdale area, I would highly recommend this distinctive enclave. Especially for pool-playing fans of Witco who love bowling.

Now on to the pics! I have so many I will divide them into three separate posts.

First, an overview of the lobby/clubhouse, which is open to the public during business hours. However, you will be questioned if you linger too long so have a good story (or Realtor) handy.

Here's a wide view from ground level:

The room is dominated by this odd metallic center tiki and surrounding artwork:

Stairs leading to the second floor are illuminated by these incredible pieces:

A view from the second floor balcony:

Close-ups of these artifacts:

Another view of the atrium, this one from high above:

Some points of reference for my next post. In the view above, the main entrance is to the left, the back (pool) entrance is to the right and the doors straight ahead under the mural lead into the auditorium. Notice the vintage Witco above each door. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

After entering, turn around and behold the inside of the front door:

Perched high above the door, are two proud Witco owls:

A closer view:

The back door has a similar design and another two classic Witco pieces above. Here are two different angles:

Let's zoom in for all the Witco fans:

I nearly missed this next one. On my last visit, I wandered down a nondescript hallway and discovered this incredible Witco. You may know it as "Tahitian Lovers," featured on page 188 of Tiki Modern:

Continuing our exploration, we turn our attention to the grand mural:

A closer view of the auditorium doors:

Behind these doors lies a huge meeting room that can accommodate probably up to 1,000 people. There doesn't appear to be many artifacts within, however. The room was dark and I was surreptitiously exploring so I was not able to get a great look at everything, but nothing jumped out at me. However, using my night vision goggles I was able to find one nice piece:

Anyone for a game of pool or tenpins?

Following is our trickiest exploration. In order to procure admittance to the natives' ritualistic game rooms, we first needed to gain their trust. Eventually, we were able to venture into these areas with the aid of armed sentry. Our access was brief but we were, however, able to take a few clandestine photos.

At the top of the stairs in the main clubhouse, a long hallway leads to an incredible sight. A billiard room filled with not one or two, but four pool tables. And plenty of Witco. Behold:

The room even included another "Tahitian Lovers" piece:

I'm confident I documented every Witco piece and most of the major decor in the main clubhouse and billiard room. But what of the holy grail? The majestic bowling alley, accessible from the inner pool area. The sign outside says it's still "closed until further notice." The inhabitants weren't sure why. At last, I was able to cajole my escort into a brief tour ...

The four-lane, professional alley is indeed a sight to behold. One wall is lined with indentations that feature a series of gods looking over the proceedings:

And finally, as dubbed by one famous artist friend of mine, "the coolest thing I've ever seen" ...

The lanes appeared to be in good shape and recently in use. Hopefully they'll be back in operation soon.

Let's tip our hats (and hoist a drink) to the preservation efforts (however unknowingly) of a small condo association in the Fort Lauderdale suburbs. Mahalo!

Hurricane,

All I can say is WOW and thanks for the incredible expedition. That is sooooo coool. I am stoked that the bowling alley, murals and Witco pieces are all still intact. And thanks to Bigbro for initiating the quest.

DC

AMAZING! Great job! And I just assumed it all had been renovated away! So great to see there are still discoveries to be made.

I never could make out that weird "fountain" (that's not water, is it?): A brass Tiki, how cool! And the doors! There seems to be a signature on the front one. And then the mural!

Are the Tikis on the bowling alley painted, or somewhat sculpted? Man o man! :)

That whole centerpiece, faux fountain included, appears to be made of metal. Could it have been made by the same person who made the doors and fixtures above the stairs? Here's a close-up of the signature on the front door. I think it says "Payez" or "Poyez" ... Does that mean anything to anyone?

Also, I just realized I forgot to post a photo of the other Witco piece above the back door. Unlike the identical owls above the front door, the pair above the back door are different:

The Tikis on the bowling alley appeared to be molded and painted plastic of some sort. I couldn't get close enough to touch.

Looking back at the original archival photos that were posted, it appears I was able to account for everything except:

• A missing Witco piece between the two owls above the front door. It appears to have been removed to make way for some sort of alarm sensor. There could have been a middle piece above the back door as well. Also replaced by electronics.

• As bigbrotiki pointed out, the early photos showed Witco benches and stools around the center "fountain." They must have been removed during a furniture upgrade at some point.

• I never saw the card room and it was not mentioned as one of the amenities. I'm guessing it was subdivided into the gym area (sans Witco) upstairs next to the billiard room.

Everything else appears much as it did some 40 years ago.

[ Edited by: Hurricane Hayward 2009-01-08 23:51 ]

On 2008-08-07 17:49, Dustycajun wrote:
These are from the Royal Hawaiian in Daytona Beach.

I found another card from the Royal Hawaiian. This one is a cool night shot with the hula dancer and sign lit up.

DC

As cool as that hula dancer sign is, it's that three-tiered wall fountain that really catches my eye. That's a great element on that rock wall. Thanks DC.

Not sure if this has been posted before but I thought the video belonged in this thread. Great web site too. You can briefly glimpse some Tikis. Good stuff from the Hawaiian Isle resort.
http://web.mac.com/jtbcmac/MaiTai/HawaiianIsle.html

Just got this postcard from the Hawaiian Inn at Daytona Beach. Great shot of the hotel and all of the cars on the beach. The good old days.

Here is a close up of the Waikiki Lounge sign at the hotel. Just like the signature mugs from the Hawaiian Inn.

DC

Here's a couple of photos from Jungleland from 1969.....enjoy.

"Anyone who has ever seen them is thereafter haunted as if by a feverish dream" Karl Woermann

[ Edited by: uncle trav 2009-05-01 10:11 ]

Jungleland 1966 baby!!!!!!!!

I want to go to Jungleland!!!!

Hawaiian village to add. Sign and moai from 1969.

A graet matchbook from ebay.

On 2009-05-14 19:02, Mo-Eye wrote:
I want to go to Jungleland!!!!

MEEEEEE TOO !

DANG !

I have now visited the Polynesian Gardens and it was incredible. I was really trying to make the bowling alley a part of Hukilau 2010 but they are closing the bowling alley and all maintenance has now ceased. I asked if they would consider a donation to keep the bowling alley open for us to celebrate next year but unfortunately their insurance is also limited so we wouldn't be covered on their policy. Frankly, the president of their association was not at all thrilled to have us there, I just couldn't take the risk.

you can see all my photos as a set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiki_kiliki/sets/72157622493729961/

But enjoy these closeups of the mural and a Witco Bar that was in the clubhouse:

Oh yeah, I had to include these few black and whites of the residents, these were amazing!

[img]https://tikicentral.com/uploads/101/4adc8eb8.jpg[/img

Awesome Tiki Archeology Christie!!!!

Thanks for posting the pictures too!! :)

Cheers and Mahalo,
Jeff

A rare Witco "Tahiti" bar! Wonderful. - Nobody better go there and try to talk them out of it! Removing any artifacts from an extant, largely intact Tiki site such as this one is to be considered as strictly taboo, and is a sign of greed that carries immediate karmic consequences:

It seems these folks are not that into being "discovered" by us Tiki weirdos, anyway. :)

Wow--all of that Tiki history in Florida is mind-blowing. Speaking as a Florida native (just born too late to see all of these places in their glory), it is heartbreaking to know what existed here and was torn down or stripped of its Tikiness. I hope the Tiki explosion that is happening in California makes its way here and we get an influx of Tiki Bars (real ones, not just bars with tiki huts over them) and more Tiki-centric buildings. Thanks to everyone who posted these gems from the past!

Here's a view of the backside of the Hawaiian Isle in Miami.

No tikis in the disco, but is that a Witco Bongo Player on the wall of the Outrigger Lounge?:

Some more images of the Hawaiian Isle's various restaurants & lounges from an older brochure. You can see various tiki mugs in the last photo.

Cool interior with the mugs...in that first photo, it looks like orange chunky resin lamps (ball and cone shaped) lined up along the wall. :)

I think you're right about those lamps, Bigbro:

After drinks and dinner at the Hawaiian Isle, I probably would have driven my Aston Martin up the beach to the Shelborne Hotel for all-night dancing and spy-themed cocktails at the 007½ Go-Go.

Sabu,

Another great brochure, sure wish I could find more of those out there.

I just won this matchbook on ebay from the Hawaiian Inn in St. Pete. Nice graphics with the Hula Girl, the Tiki, and the Volcano.

DC

Nice matchbook from the Palm Beach Hawaiian on ebay.
Like the bamboo font and that great rendering

DC

Maybe I missed it but I didn't see the following matchbook from the Hawaiian Isle in Florida in this thread:

I was also wondering how come this place doesn't have it's own Topic in Locating Tiki?? It seems that there is quite a bit of info. and pictures out there about it. Did I miss it?

TabooDan

The TAHITI Resort Motel in Miami (16901 Collins Ave). Not much in the way of Poly-Pop architecture, but it makes up for it in the sheer number of tiki masks and free-standing tikis on the property. I count at least 15 - many with glowing red eyes.

Wow, great zooming, Sabu. That mural under the neon could have a Tiki in it too. I seem to remember seeing a matchbook like that. Judging by the cars, the place would be mid-60s vintage?

On 2010-03-22 00:27, bigbrotiki wrote:
Wow, great zooming, Sabu. That mural under the neon could have a Tiki in it too. I seem to remember seeing a matchbook like that. Judging by the cars, the place would be mid-60s vintage?

i think you are right.....but i will bet it's a metal sculpture that floats off the wall..i see palm leaves, then a free standing tiki, a mountain range than one more palm tree....

On 2010-03-22 04:49, Tipsy McStagger wrote:
i think you are right.....but i will bet it's a metal sculpture that floats off the wall..i see palm leaves, then a free standing tiki, a mountain range than one more palm tree....

Very perceptive there, Tipsy. I have that card. Here is a blow-up of the sign

And, for the final proof, here is the rendering from the back of the card that shows the sign. Maybe this is what Bigbro remembered seeing.

DC

Bingo! Book of Tiki, page 110: The Tikis matchbook! :)

Bigbro,

Nice memory banks on that one. How on earth did a matchbook rendering from the Tikis in California end up as a sculpture on top of a Tahiti hotel in Florida?

DC

I never forget a Tiki Face once I've seen it (in Schwarzenegger voice)

Yes, yet another one of the many enduring mysteries of Polynesian pop and the Tiki transmission!

Another postcard image from the Palm Beach Hawaiian Motor Lodge's heyday...