Disney In Hawaii

This is Hawaii. Do you really need Disney?...

"In the end, the Aulani was not unlike going to Disneyland: It's a fun-filled fantasyland that ends up being far more expensive than you expected. At least you go home with memories that can last a lifetime."

:evil:

John-O are you angry about the whole Disney thing? Did you really expect Disney not to do some kind of "Hawaiian Fantasy"? After all everything they even remotely get involved with is laden with fantasy and story it's what they do. To Disney's credit though they toned their usual over the top fantasy down and consulted with and listened to locals for the final design of the place. To me it is really nothing all that new even pushing Disney aside, ever since tourists started arriving Hawaii has always catered a fantasy version of itself to them. Honestly even the Polynesian Cultural center is more theme park than true tradition in how it is presented, especially the big finale night show which is something worthy of Las Vegas. Personally I was hoping to see the fantasy side of Hawaii that I constantly ached to see that was presented in the Elvis movie "Blue Hawaii". Much to my sheer disappointment there is little to nothing in Oahu even remotely like in that movie it seems to have all been swallowed up by a concrete jungle of commercialism except the windward side of the island.

Hell, the whole idea of Poly-pop in ANY form is really just a fantasy version of cultural tradition. Nothing wrong with that, just in the degree to which you take it away from its roots and how much respect you give those original roots.

On a side note again: I am dying to know if there is absolutely ANY Tiki whatsoever in this whole joint? Anyone know?

*On 2011-10-26 23:13, tigertail777 wrote:*Personally I was hoping to see the fantasy side of Hawaii that I constantly ached to see that was presented in the Elvis movie "Blue Hawaii". Much to my sheer disappointment there is little to nothing in Oahu even remotely like in that movie it seems to have all been swallowed up by a concrete jungle of commercialism except the windward side of the island.
Too bad you didn't know about the secret of Punalu'u, a little town just down the road from the PCC. Tucked behind a row of hau along the Hwy., across from the beach park was the real Hawaii fantasy come to life on about an acre fronting the mountainous backdrop, all from the hands of Prince David Kaapu. Google it, and check out ebay for some recent pix of the man and his way. Truly incredible and special, nearly beyond description. Tiki freaks, this was the real McCoy, and I don't remember even seeing any tiki.

WOW. Punalu’u sounds like it is just the ticket of what I was looking for but couldn't find. If I can ever afford to go back it will be one of my first stops. Thanks so much for sharing that I really appreciate it, Msteeln it means a lot to me. :)

I admit I might be a bit biased anyways, having grown up watching slides practically every weekend of Oahu taken in the late 60's early 70's and craving the chance to go. When the chance finally came and I saw all of the commercialization that had happened it was devastating to me. I felt I was denied the beautiful paradise that the rest of my family remembers. I was too young when we left Oahu to remember very much so this was to be my one chance to see what I always heard everyone talk about in my family for years, and they always had a permanent sense of joy and admiration in their voices when they spoke of it. I wanted to be a part of that. It looks like some of that paradise may still exist, it just takes a lot more looking to find it which was time I did not have as our trip was quite limited due to our budget. One day I will make it back there and this time by god I will find some of that paradise so I can finally understand that eternal joy and admiration my family has for Oahu. The closest I ever came to that sense of joy and wonder my family had is when I saw the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, so naturally I am probably just a little too defensive of Disney's fantasy version of Hawaii.

On 2011-10-27 01:24, tigertail777 wrote:
WOW. Punalu’u sounds like it is just the ticket of what I was looking for but couldn't find.

If I can ever afford to go back it will be one of my first stops.

I admit I might be a bit biased anyways, having grown up watching slides practically every weekend of Oahu taken in the late 60's early 70's and craving the chance to go.

The closest I ever came to that sense of joy and wonder my family had is when I saw the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, so naturally I am probably just a little too defensive of Disney's fantasy version of Hawaii.

It was back in the day, and still was while in quasi-preservation when I discovered it, but that was all over by the late '80s and I doubt the family maintained it. I enjoyed visiting with his personable and intelligent wife immensely, she was delighted to tell both their whole stories. That they aren't fully chronicaled is tragic, it was the epitome of the almost surreal Hawaiian love story, the type legends are made of. I wish not only you, but anyone with a Hawaiian soul could have enjoyed the opportunity those few decades offered by the Kaapu's, it sure opened my eyes.

I'd be quite reluctant to venture onto the grounds post-Myrtle, they must have been ransacked long ago. Archivists might have a field day, but I'll stick with my memories.

Treasure those now vintage visions, you can often feel a bit of the times when Aloha meant something real to a lot of people. I always tell people to toss the other 49 and head to Ka'a'awa, otherwise known as Paradise, and it sounds like what you're looking for. Why wait? Take a cruise on google maps satelite and dig the Kamehameha Hwy. sites. http://www.kualoaranch.com The entire island of Oahu is awesome, just in a topographical sense, a very impressive rock.

That last quote is the funniest thing on this forum from my pov, thank you!

On 2011-10-26 10:09, JOHN-O wrote:
"It's a fun-filled fantasyland that ends up being far more expensive than you expected. At least you go home with memories that can last a lifetime."

Tsk tsk, there goes Disney again - building something that integrates romanticized artificialities into the experience, while failing to adhere to the "authentic" Hawaii feeling. As much as Disney may try to keep with the times and be all sensitive and politically correct, they just can't help themselves with a little fantasy. As the reviewer points out, that a-frame lobby is far more dramatic than something that real Hawaiian fisherman could or would build (and this is bad?). The fishermen must be outraged.

But when this reviewer gives them points for avoiding "the clichés of tiki torches, totem poles, bamboo furniture and tacky luaus", I am starting to think that his point of view may differ from mine. I think I'm on the same page as him about the Electric Slide part of the entertainment - that sounds pretty awful to me. Too bad most kids don't have the highly cultivated sense of taste that I do (or this reviewer does). Parents must teach children to root out and reject thematic inconsistencies!

BTW, a post one page back links to an article mentioning that "two towering statues — gorgeous examples of an authentic centuries-old wood-carving tradition crafted by Hawaiian carver Rocky Jensen — will act as cultural greeters" in the main lobby. I wonder why it never uses the word tiki though.

-Randy

On 2011-10-26 23:13, tigertail777 wrote:
I am dying to know if there is absolutely ANY Tiki whatsoever in this whole joint? Anyone know?

Well, not really. As mentioned a move - there are "greeters" - two carved images. Reminded me very much of extremely minimalist native american totems. They come across as spiritual objects - but, at least for me, don't read as very polynesian. They are quite nice, though. There are also little stone "menehune" all over the grounds - hiding in neat places. Fun for the kids to find. I didn't get any shots of them - but they too are very stylized and don't really reflect any existing tiki carving. There is also a carved "tiki style" Stitch from Lilo and Stitch by the pool. Looked very temporary, and may only come out as a prop for character appearances.

Henrik

On 2011-09-19 12:56, VanTiki wrote:
Last Sunday Ms. VanTiki and I decided to take a look at the new Disney Resort and see how it came together. I am a huge fan of 2 Disney “Grand” resorts (the Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Californian), and I was extremely curious how the imagineers would tackle a hawaii theme.

Good review, Van Tiki.
My "two coconuts" is that recreating the Hawaii theme in Hawaii is very necessary because the true Hawaiian architecture, culture and motif are, sadly, being lost. I will just give just two examples: (1) the International Market Place is to be gutted for a shiny new mall and (2) the Hula Hut, last remaining unaltered Spencecliff venue (from 1970) is now gone (and it was incredible).

Recreating the Hawaii theme in Hawaii is very necessary because the true Hawaiian architecture, culture and motif are, sadly, being lost. The International Market Place is to be gutted and the Hula Hut is gone.

The vast majority of people that will ever go to this particular and expensive Disney resort are from elsewhere and have little to no clue about Hawaii's multi-glorious past, and very few will be interested enuf or have time to find out to even the slightest degree. Even in it's cool '60s hey day the IMP was largely a caricature of Hawaii, and The Hut was just a neat dining bar. Sadly both are going/gone, but mere fluff compared to what used to be and actually mattered, and Disney is just more fluff. Hawaii has thrown it's incredible history and heritage away, and no developer today will be doing anything to bring back a single worthy lick. You can tiki, rebuild, motif, theme, and reenact into infinity, and it means very little. Vital Hawaii now resides solely within the individual, and that's fading fast as well. Facts and reality are a bummer.

Msteeln: Certainly, I defer to Kama'aina in all matters related to Hawaii, yet I am not sure it is that dire. While bruddah IZ Hawaii 78 laments development, the Iolani Palace, Waikiki's oldest hotel, the Moana, the Bishop Museum and, for what its worth, the PCC, all remain. Hula has not been outlawed, UH still has its excellent Hawaiian Studies program and there is not mining on Diamond Head.

While you are right about the Aulani's cost, and most tourists are not there to get a Masters in Hawaiian culture, the Aulani does contain "outrigger" Hawaiian style architecture, an "Auntie" to spread the culture, features Hawaiian art and its website expressly acknowledges its desire to preserve cultural heritage.

[ Edited by: christiki295 2012-06-03 13:58 ]

I'm reminded that, for better or worse, Disney is the entry point for many people into the world of tiki, whatever it may be for them at that moment. Sometimes Disney hooks 'em, then a casual observation of a tiki bar, an advertisement for a tiki event, or even another friend draws folks into the tikiness which we celebrate and enjoy so much.

There will be many who visit Aulani and will come home with life-long memories of the decor and the ambiance of the place. I suspect they will be pleasantly surprised when they notice (or discover) similar things when they get back home. Just buying a Disney tiki mug can lead to much more.

On 2012-05-30 07:50, christiki295 wrote:
the Hula Hut, last remaining unaltered Spencecliff venue (from 1970) is now gone (and it was incredible).

Ahhhh yes - the Glorious Hula Hut. Late Saturday night on October 6th 2001 I saw Don Tiki perform there. My first taste of exotica music, my first visit to a tiki bar, and the first time I sipped a mai-tai from a themed restaurant tiki mug. To say the least, it had quite an impact on me :)