Blue Girl Hawaii

In the late 1960s, as a micro-mini wahine, growing up across the bay from the city to end all cities— San Francisco— my parents were indoctrinating me into the cult of Tiki. The sound of exotica was lilting from hi-fi’s everywhere, Mai Tais were the drink of the moment, and Trader Vic’s could be found from coast to coast.

Read: Tiki Modern-Sven A. Kirsten
A must read for those of you obsessed with mid-century modernism and Tiki style.

Listen: Quite Village/Enchanted Sea-Martin Denny
Exotica at its finest. Play this during your next Tiki-inspired bash.

Watch: The Brady Bunch
1) Episode 72: Hawaii Bound
Bobby finds a Tiki, but doesn’t believe it’s kapu to take it from its sacred site. Havoc ensues.

2) Episode 73: Pass The Tabu
Bad luck continues for the Brady clan.

3)Episode 74: The Tiki Caves
The Bradys finally realize that when Hawaiians say something is kapu it’s not to be taken lightly. The boys return the Tiki to its original burial ground, the curse is lifted, and the Bradys wrap up their Hawaiian vacation with a lu‘au.

Artist: Derek
A hep cat from down south that really knows how to make his paintbrush swing.
Check it out for yourself at www.derekart.com

Peruse: Tiki Magazine
The relatively new kid on the block raising its Tiki mug to all things— you guessed it— Tiki.
Subscribe at www.tikimag.net

Date: The Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco
When my Polynesian papa, an island hottie, and Scandinavian mama, a Nordic beauty, used to hit the town— pre-me— they would head to one of the original purveyors of all things Tiki, the Tonga Room. There they would gaze at one another, while sipping tropical libations and sharing a pupu platter as exotic as their pairing.
Although the bloom had faded on the original Tonga Room, it’s still open for you and your kane to share a drink and dream the future— just like my mom and pop did many years ago.

Sleep: Caliente Tropics Resort, Palm Springs
Elvis slept here. As did Dean and the rest of his crew.
This 1960s hipster playground was my choice when I rolled into town a few years ago to see the Foo’s rock Coachella. I loved the iconic grounds and Tiki touches. I think you will too!

Aloha!
Blue Girl Hawaii

Shave ice at Matsumoto, flirting up hot surfer boys on the North
Shore, shopping for bikinis till you drop.
How can you experience any of that if you’re afraid to fly?
All that’s about to change, so start packing!

Banish fear of flying!

Look out the window and imagine little menehunes (the little fairy people of Hawaii) preparing the plane for takeoff: tightening bolts, sweeping away debris, etc. Keep your imagination going until these little people actually seem to materialize. Acknowledge them and you may be surprised to see them respond. If you begin to feel uncomfortable when the plane is in the air, peek out the window and see what tasks the menehune are performing to keep the plane safe. If you are sitting in an aisle seat, no worries, they’ll oblige you by keeping hard at work inside the plane, too. Don’t believe me? Who do you think ate all the ‘ono snacks before you got on the plane, leaving the flight attendants to make due with half a soda and a bag of roasted peanuts per person?

In the event that you need an extra bit of help to relax, Kava Kava is miraculous. Take 2-3 caps half and hour before takeoff and every four hours thereafter, as needed. Just be sure to check with your doc first.

Happy travels!

Blue Girl Hawaii