The Aku-Aku in Las Vegas

Also note the mounting hole through the head. The figures in the photo look to have been mounted to the overhead beam the same way.

Trav,

Nice research, looks like a match to me.

Silverline, where did you find those bad boys?

DC

Good eyes Uncle Trav! That makes sense since he won't stand on his own. How weird is that!

On 2010-03-09 19:21, Dustycajun wrote:
Silverline, where did you find those bad boys?

DC

There's only the one (that I know of) and it's in a friend's warehouse.

Did OA do this sort of thing?

Wow, amazing that one of these surfaced!

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=1845&forum=1&vpost=445339

That might mean that others could have survived and are sitting in storage somewhere.
It is less slick looking than I would have suspected from icebear's photo, that's why it doesn't look like O.A. work to me. I'm not sure who did it, the use of these Moai Papa has no comparison in Tiki history!

Man what would I give for a good photo of these at the Aku Aku.

Nice to see more info in this thread.

On 2009-01-23 17:44, icebaer69 wrote:
pictures from vintagevegas showing:
"Aku Aku -
Polynesian cuisine in an exotic island atmosphere"

Here's another, wider angle showing a little more of that entrance. Interesting also that it's not exactly the same photo at the same moment as icebaer's. It's about a half a tick later. And btw, anyone know the story on those tikis?

No idea how this jibes with the other entrance photo posted by Sabu on page 6.

On 2009-09-11 21:19, Sabu The Coconut Boy wrote:

They kinda look like completely different entrances. Clearly the people in Sabu's image are sartorially suited for an earlier time.

-Randy

[ Edited by: aquarj 2010-03-17 23:04 ]

I was looking at some Stardust/Aku Aku photos on Flikr and posted previously by icebaer69 finally figured out the transition of the front of the casino and restaurant.

These early aerial shots shows the original layout with the Stardust sign in front of the casino and the old shield and spear sign and Eli Moai in front of the Aku Aku.

These photos show the scene after the remodel. The front of the casino was actually extended straight across to cover up the Aku Aku building and a new Stardust marquee sign was built where the old Aku Aku shield sign and Moai were located.

DC

Great detective work, as usual DC. It blows me away to see the Stardust with nothing but desert behind it. The landscape of Vegas has changed just a bit since then.

Why so many cars at the drive in theatre in the day time???

SWAP MEET!!!!!!!

OK, I think it's really for the rodeo or horse show. Whatever. A guy can dream.

I once was lost............but now I'm found

[ Edited by: 8FT Tiki 2010-04-05 21:19 ]

On 2010-03-17 23:01, aquarj wrote:
Nice to see more info in this thread.

On 2009-01-23 17:44, icebaer69 wrote:
pictures from vintagevegas showing:
"Aku Aku -
Polynesian cuisine in an exotic island atmosphere"

Here's another, wider angle showing a little more of that entrance. Interesting also that it's not exactly the same photo at the same moment as icebaer's. It's about a half a tick later. And btw, anyone know the story on those tikis?

Is this the model for the Purple Orchid Tiki logo?

for your consideration ....

love the Art In America cover

I scored a couple of new postcards from the Aku Aku at the Stardust.

Here is an aerial photo showing the restaurant building.

This one is really cool with a full night-time shot of the neon sign in all its glory.

You can see the other smaller Aku Aku sign lit up in the background by the A-Frame entrance. Love the brooding Moai glowing under the sign.

DC

On 2009-08-06 20:03, Sabu The Coconut Boy wrote:
... But today ask any native of Las Vegas what's the best seafood restaurant in Las Vegas (as well as the best steakhouse) and they'll tell you its the Stardust's Moby Dick ...

just saw an old episode of VEGAS ... dan tanna making a phonecall -
in the background a neon sign "... polynesian food ... moby dick ..."

A few yards of fabric that would make a neat dress shirt with a nice representation of the Aku Aku sign, The Stardust hotel and Las Vegas with a slight western theme.

Sooo, is this available?

On 2010-05-13 09:38, naugatiki wrote:

A few yards of fabric that would make a neat dress shirt with a nice representation of the Aku Aku sign, The Stardust hotel and Las Vegas with a slight western theme.

While scanning in some of my parent's old slides, I came across this one:

Taken by my Dad in 1959. The Stardust opened in July 1958 and the Aku Aku opened in 1960. This shot was also interesting to me because on the sign:

... The Surfers, one of my favorites, were playing!

During this time period in Vegas, my folks were staying out til dawn and watching acts like Louis Prima and Keely Smith at The Sahara. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Just posted this on my photo blog:

Stardust photo folder front cover.

Interior image of couple at a table inside the Aku-Aku. Note mugs on table.

Check out the blog Corner Cafe Images (http://cornercafeimages.blogspot.com/)

It's amazing by pure chance, I live down the street from the moai form the Aku Aku

Aku Aku Platter.

On 2010-08-14 12:14, Tiki Shaker wrote:
Aku Aku Platter.

Nice!

On 2010-04-13 06:41, christiki295 wrote:

On 2010-03-17 23:01, aquarj wrote:
Nice to see more info in this thread.

On 2009-01-23 17:44, icebaer69 wrote:
pictures from vintagevegas showing:
"Aku Aku -
Polynesian cuisine in an exotic island atmosphere"

Here's another, wider angle showing a little more of that entrance. Interesting also that it's not exactly the same photo at the same moment as icebaer's. It's about a half a tick later. And btw, anyone know the story on those tikis?

Is this the model for the Purple Orchid Tiki logo?

I think it is the basis for the Purple Orchid's signature Tiki.

I finally found one of the early menus from the Aku Aku. It has a nice wood-grained cover.

Not as sexy as the illustrated cover, but a nice artifact no the less.

Here is the drink list, some interesting names.

Here is the story of the back of the menu.

And a nod to Edward Brownlee who carved the Tikis for the Aku Aku.

DC

Dusty, that menu is one hell of a find, thanks for posting the pictures. Beachbum Berry has stated that the Stardust hired none other than Don The Beachcomber to design the Aku-Aku's drinks menu. He published the recipe for the Zombie that Don designed for them in Remixed. It is my favourite zombie recipe of all time.

Found out from a coworker/friend that his Pilipino uncle was a bartender at Aku Aku from the mid 60’s to about 1975. My friend learned from him how to make a near toxic Scorpion that was a big hit with the girls at parties. There was another cousin who worked as a cook at Caesars Palace who got him in as the bartender on Cleopatra’s Barge. He didn't’t last too long though because he was caught running girls at the bar. Not the kind of ‘comps’ the corporation wanted him to do. (Even though they probably have their own inside people doing the same thing for them) :wink:

I thought I'd seen one of these fans here on TC before, but now I can't find it. Either way, I found one of my own last weekend. It's in fan-tastic condition and kinda looks like the early menu that DC found!

Classic Silver Line Boats

[ Edited by: Silverline 2013-01-06 18:15 ]

On 2010-10-20 17:55, Dustycajun wrote:
And a nod to Edward Brownlee who carved the Tikis for the Aku Aku.

DC

WOW! Now I know who carved the Moai Papa I found!! Amazing work DC!!

This pic really floats my mood-loving boat.

Great work on this, I wish these could be collected into a book.

Thanks for the work, what an epic place.

Aloha,

On 2011-05-16 07:29, SilverLine wrote:

WOW! Now I know who carved the Moai Papa I found!! Amazing work DC!!

You can also see more of Brownlee's work in Hawaii (including a chandelier with similar carvings from the Canlis Broiler) in Waikiki Tiki.

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
Available now from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2011-05-21 21:15 ]

Another great old photo of one of the Eli Tikis from the Aku Aku -

Beauty and the Beast.

Was this one of Eli's assistants?

DC

That's one I've never seen. :)

Awesome Dusty!

( carving featherstone in a tapa bikini, classic!

that stuff makes you bleed even with a bee suit on!!!)

I got a Stardust brochure that had a few small photos of the Aku Aku.

Close up of the dining room.

And those carvings.

Nice table setting, never seen one of those table lamps surface before?

The exterior of the entrance hut with two of the Eli Moais.

DC

Picked up this Aku Aku coin yesterday at the Long Beach Swap Meet. Pretty cool little good luck coin.
The other side says 'rub my nose for good luck at The Stardust Hotel'

Good score.

Hey everyone, first post here.

Just thought I'd add 2 pics & a link. I simply cannot get enough of this 'Lost Vegas' stuff, particularly the whole Aku Aku/ Stardust/ Royal Nevada era/ area.

I'm guessing this interior shot is from Frankie’s and not Aku Aku?

Link:

https://satinmovie.wordpress.com/tag/aku-aku/

That's Frankie's. I'm a big fan of the Aku Aku, too.

On 2012-07-12 18:13, Tangento wrote:

In a typical Internet story, that little towelette has followed a funny chain of posts, re-posts, and even a little notoriety with a bit part in a halfhearted hoax. I guess that's why it's called the WEB! For attribution's sake, here is where that towelette first appeared, on the TikiRanch blog.

-Randy

This old tourist photo..

Has a peek at an Eli Moai.

And another ad from the Stardust with the Aku Aku.

DC

A few pin holes on top but who cares...

Great pics. I've got to do some digging. My aunt was a hula dancer at the Stardust in the 1960's and I know we've got some old Vegas pics stashed somewhere.

Dig dig dig

Jon

Jon!
I'm TOTALLY stealin' these awesome pictures (but givin' you credit)!
Thanks Man!
Perfect Timing!

[ Edited by: Tiki Lee's 2012-12-31 20:01 ]

On 2012-07-12 18:13, Tangento wrote:
Hey everyone, first post here.

Just thought I'd add 2 pics & a link. I simply cannot get enough of this 'Lost Vegas' stuff, particularly the whole Aku Aku/ Stardust/ Royal Nevada era/ area.

I'm guessing this interior shot is from Frankie’s and not Aku Aku?

Link:

https://satinmovie.wordpress.com/tag/aku-aku/

There are 8x10 photos of Eli carving the Aku Aku Moai, inside the hut on the back wall at Frankie's. Maybe that is where the tag came from? Welcome aboard Tangento!

Nice menu!

thanks...

3 postcards today (MOAI included)

Picked up this photo folder from the Stardust during the era where the Aku Aku had been swallowed up by the casino and hotel expansion. Still can see the neon Aku Aku signs on each end.

The back if the photo folder had some images of the restaurants,

Including the Aku Aku bridge and Tikis

Also a nautical restaurant called Moby Dick.

DC

"Moby Dick" seafood? Does that sound very appealing to anyone besides Liberace? (Sorry, man. RIP)
PLACE YOUR ORDER BY SPEAKING INTO THE WHALE'S BLOWHOLE!!! (Now that would be fun!)

Spotted 2 ads for the Aku Aku...1959 and 1960. OGR