Tiki: An Homage To My Polynesian Pop Loving Parents
Friday, November 17, 2006
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: The Book of Tiki: The Cult of Polynesian Pop in Fifties America-Sven A. Kirsten
A must read for those of you obsessed with kitschy Hawaiiana.
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
While wandering around the Sheraton Waikiki, Bobby & Cindy happen upon Don Ho.
Don, ukulele in hand, serenades them with an acoustic rendition of “Sweet Someone.”
Bobby finds a tiki, but doesn’t believe it’s kapu to take it from it’s sacred site. Havoc ensues.
2) Episode 73: Pass The Tabu
Bad luck continues for the Brady clan.
3)Episode 74: The Tiki Caves
The Brady’s 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 Brady’s 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 derekart.com
Peruse: Tiki Magazine
The new kid on the block raising its tiki mug to all things— you guessed it— Tiki.
Subscribe at 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 40 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
posted by Blue Girl @ 3:01 PM,
