Yma Sumac Passes

[11/28/08]
Yma Sumac, the Voice of the Xtabay is silent. Yma Sumac passed away on November 1st, All Saint's Day. Ms. Sumac had been battling a long illness for quite some time.

She was rumored to be Amy Camus (her named spelled backwards), a housewife from Brooklyn and an Inca princess who was captured and taken away from her village as a young girl. Either way, we was an extraordinary person with the most amazing voice ever heard.

Many are no doubt familiar with her haunting vocalizations in the world of Exotica. It was with the legendary Les Baxter that the genre of Exotica was created. She will be missed, but her music lives on.

Episode 10 of the Quiet Village Podcast features Yma Sumac along with Les Baxter and Robert Drasnin.

Squid's Scultures & Scribbles - A Retrospective

[updated]
Kona was overflowing with people who came out to witness a retrospective of the work of Squid (Dave Cohen) on Saturday, September 20th. The beautiful Hidden Village room at Kona was the setting. On hand were over 250 mugs--almost every single mug every created by the prolific artist--including some very rare private mug releases and some of the original clay sculpts. Also on hand were sketches and drawings from Squid's early days in tiki and pre-tiki days. According to Squid, this was the first time his entire mug works had been assembled together. Even he was amazed by the numbers.

The Tikiyaki Orchestra provided the music for the dinner crowds. Marty Lush, the consumate cheese of the Orchestra and the vibraphonist, roasted squid too. By the time he was done, squid was well done. See the roast on YouTube here.

Don't miss Squid's new scuplts now available from his web site Squidart.com

[9/8/08]
When one hears the term "velvet painting", the mind immediately is filled with images of crying Elvis, bullfighters and weird creepy large-eyed children that are meant to be cute. Not so with Robb Hamel's velvet art. Earlier this year (2008), a new artist began posting his tiki-themed velvet paintings on the Tiki Central web forums. They were an immediate hit. Robb's paintings are exceptional. There is nothing cartoonish about the paintings, the subjects are extremely detailed and the use of color to create lighting effects on the velvet is beautiful. Since his posts, Robb has been swamped with commissioned paintings for individuals and has been in demand at art shows.

I was fortunate enough to contact Robb about doing a painting for me just before his work load exploded. My subject was Pele (the Polynesian goddess of fire). I sent Robb some crude sketches of what I had in mind. Robb returned to me something completely different, that I had never thought of. The sketch was so beautiful that I knew it was what I wanted. As you can see, here is the final result. It is pure amazing. I could talk about it for paragraphs here, but I will let the picture speak for itself.

Robb allowed me to name the painting myself. So, I chose the title "The Drums of Lohi'au." The meaning behind the name is in the myth of Pele: After becoming a goddess she makes her home in the "Navel of the World", a crater in Diamondhead volcano. There she sleeps until one day she is awakened by the sound of drums. She stirs and emerges from her home in search of the source of the sounds. She finds that the Prince Lohi'au is pounding the pahu drum. She falls in love with the handsome prince and appears to him as a beautiful woman. The two fall in love, spending three days making rapturous love. So the painting, to me anyway, is the perfect depiction of the moment Pele emerges from her sleep and is just moments away from meeting the love of her life. Hence the name.

Robb is interviewed on Episode 8 of the Quiet Village podcast. Don't miss it.

Tiki Central - The Ultimate Message Board for Tiki Culture on the web.

Kona Kai - Ultimate Web Resource for all things Tiki

TIKI Magazine - THE #1 Magazine on all things Tiki - Carvers, artists and more

Hawaii Threads - Message Board for Hawaii Locals, Residents and Mainlanders.

Wala’au - Talk Story. Hawai’ian message board with a “no trolling” policy

London Luau - Tiki bash for London Tikiphiles

Tiki Farm - World’s largest manufacturer of Tiki Mugs

Critiki- Ultimate Tiki Bar and restaurant resource

Ooga-Mooga - The spot for tiki mug collectors to share and show off their goodies.

Criktiki - online database of tiki restaurants and bars from today and the golden era of tiki

Motel Signs - Great photos

Googie Architecture

Submit a Link:
digitiki at gmail.com

The King Is In The Hut

[7/22/08]
Tonga Hut, the venerable neighborhood Tiki bar in North Hollywood, CA celebrated its 50th year in business June 26th by hosting King Kukulele and his Floating Luau show. It was a full house as Kukulele crooned his comedic ditties with his backup band, the Friki Tikis.

The evening was complete with a special tasting of new Mahiki Rum, which was not yet available in the U.S. at the time. Beautiful hula dancers rounded out the evening. King Kukulele is the MC for many top events, such as the Hukilau and the London Luau. If you haven't yet caught his show, do so. It's an evening of real fun. All hail the King!

[7/22/08]
The rumor mill was working overtime this year over the fate of the Mai-Kai, on of the last remaining Polynesian palaces from the heyday of Tiki in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The rumors were also swirling about the fate of the Hukilau--a 4-day party that centers around the Mai-Kai. The reality was that the Mai-Kai was slated to be shut down almost immediately after the throngs of had cleared from the Hukilau weekend. However, a surprise announcement by the event's producer, Tiki Kiliki, put the rumors to rest. She announced, to deafening cheers, that the Mai-Kai had been taken over and was going to remain open and the Hukilau would return!

But the weekend of surprises wasn't over. The Hukilau always has surprises and thrills for even the most jaded tikiphile. The year, among the top notch performances from the Tikiyaki Orchestra, Laramie Dean, The Intoxicators, the Haole Kats, King Kuklele, the Martini Kings and others, there were a host of must-see things. Perhaps the most interesting moments, came on Sunday when the Mai-Kai put items locked away in the their archives on display to the public for the first time. These items include rare mementos from the restaurant's past, news clippings, photos and artifacts. But the most interesting things on display were blueprints of the Mai-Kai. Now, I know blueprints sound like the most geeked-out thing you can get excited about, but these were very special. Among the various blueprints, were plans for a large addition that included a Vegas style nightclub complete with floating bandstand. The blueprints for a proposed Mai-Kai in New York were on hand for viewing. The New York location was a complete mystery, but the plans were fully fleshed out, complete with tiki placement. Check out episode 5 of the Quiet Village podcast to hear the details of the Mai-Kai, New York and the planned, but never built Paris location!

[7/21/08]
When it comes to Trader Vic's, the thorn in every tiki ephemora collector's side has been the fact that they simply do not sell their unique drink mugs and bowls. Now all of that has changed. The Trader is now trading on his web site. The main corporate web site now offers many of the much sought after drinking vessels for sale, including the highly prized 3-moai bowl. Mahalo to Trader Vic's for offering these fine mugs. Drink up.

[5/2/08]
Throughout the U.S. there are a variety of Tiki events. Some of which draw large numbers of tikiphiles and a bewildering array of exotica art and hand-made tropical ephemora. One of the largest and best known is the Hukilau which happens every year in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Hukilau is an extraordinary event that crams tiki in all its forms into every second of each of the four days that make up the happening. The highlight is the Saturday evening dinner and cocktails at the legendary Mai-Kai--A veritable Polynesian palace from back in the heyday of Americana Tiki that is one of the precious few still alive.

Just days ago, the announcement was made official that the Hukilau will be no more after 2008. Sad news indeed. There are speculations abounding and I'm sure not all of the details have been exposed as to why this event that draws hundred of visitors from all over the globe is going the way of the dodo bird. But none of that really matters right now. There will be time to dissect all the rumors and realities later. Now is the time to savor the Hukilau and give it a send off that will be long remembered.

The events and side happenings that make up the Hukilau are too numerous to mention, but the highlights are the Thursday evening kick off party where all tikiphiles gather poolside at the Bahia Cabana Hotel for a night of schmoozing, bouncy Hapa Haole tunes and cocktails in the sweltering tropical heat. The Friday night event is a true extravaganza of music. The main ballroom at the Bahia Mar Hotel, just down the street from the Cabana, houses a showcase of some of the top names in exotica, surf, lounge and Hapa Haole. Saturday is the day everyone really comes for, the whole event moves a few miles away to the historic Mai-Kai. Complete with Polynesian floor show, gift shop, lush tropical gardens and every manner of Island decor from thatch matting from Tahiti to carved tikis from far away Polynesian islands, the Mai-Kai Restaurant is something whos grandure can only be understood by physically walking through the maze of dining rooms and alcoves. There is even a real shrunken head proudly displayed in a glass case for all to marvel at.

Sadly, the Hukilau is a metaphor for Tiki and Mid-Centry Modern places and things these days. Everywhere we turn, it seems our parents' environs are being erased--demolished in the name of progress and "upscale revitalization." Gradually, a major slice of American pop culture is being relegated to a few fading postcards and scratchy LP's that only a few bother to give a second glance to in a thrift store.

The Hukilau, like may of the Polynesian palaces of yesteryear, was and is an amazing phenomenon that will only be visited in the stories told over a rum cocktail somewhere else from now on. And as with anything or anyone who passes on, we remember with fondness and marvel at what once was--something that others who come later will scarcely understpersonal connections that are made at such an event.and. The sights, the sounds, the smells of rum and freshly cut bamboo and and intangible thing that is the

I raise a perfectly chilled mai tai to Tiki Kiliki and her baby, the Hukilau. Sadness doesn't begin to describe the loss, and joy does a poor job of putting a color on the memories of such a unique culmination of people, places and things.

The DigiTiki Quiet Village Postcast is here!

[3/30/08]
The Quiet Village podcast is now officially underway. The first episode is now up and available. You can subscribe to the podcast and receive automatic downloads of new episodes by subscribing in your iTunes program.
The Quiet Village podcast features exoitca, Polynesian and lounge music and interviews. So, make yourself an ice cold mai tai and relax in the Quiet Village for a while.

Click on the PODCAST button (above) to go to the Quiet Village podcast page.

2fers: Album Review & New Vintage CD Release Info!

[2/15/08]
Vintage album review of my personal fav Arthur Lymans "Bahia"
&
Collector's Choice Music releases almost complete Lyman catalog on CD!
For the full scoop, visit the MUSIC section or click here.

Music Review:
William Holden Presents "A Musical Touch of Far Away Places"
Warren Barker and his Orchestra

[1/24/08]
This is the first of what I hope are many reviews and samples of classic exotica and Hapa Haole albums - many of which are only available on LP. See the review and hear samples in the MUSIC section of this site.

New Classic Exotica with Tikiyaki Orchestra

[9/19/07]
OK, so I am bias, but the Tikiyaki Orchestra CD release is fantastic. The CD has been getting some serious attention lately in the exotica-lovers circle.

The CD blends classic exotica and surf sounds with a vibe that is still fresh and modern sounding.

Read more about the CD and why I'm so bias by visiting the MUSIC section of this site.

Tiki Oasis 7 - A Blast of Tiki

[9/17/07]
Sorry folks, I've been very busy lately, so the site has suffered a bit in the "up-to-date" department. Anyway, I attended Tiki Oasis for the first time this year in my native down of San Diego. It was a blast. It was wonderful to see old familiar faces and make new tiki friends as well...and of course, the event mug is way cool! There were a ton of killer mugs from the biggies of Tikidom. There was the ever popular Munktiki and a thrilling moai scorpion bowl introduced by Bosko!

The entertainment lineup was quite exciting-- the exotic Martini Kings, the return of the Tiki Tones, a very special performance by Ernie Menehune and scores of other acts. It was a blast.

Tiki Oasis 7 Is Coming to San Diego!

[7/26/07]
The big west coast Tiki bash is coming to San Diego this August and it promises to be big fun! Yours truly is helping out as the Vendor Coordinator this year. I can't wait to go. The organizers of TO7 have really outdone themselves this year with the musical acts which include Ernie Menehune and the Tiki Tones! Click on the Oasis graphic to go to their official website.

[6/22/07]
The 2007 Hukilau has concluded in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. This year was an amazing year of fun, sun and tiki. The highlight was Robert Drasnin and his Orchestra performing works from his newest exotica album "Voodoo II." There are more pictures in the MUSIC section of this site. Below are just a few memories and some great shots of the fabulous Mai Kai restaurant.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Mai Kai, it is one of the last original big Polynesian supper clubs left in the country and possibly the world. Last year, the Mai Kai celebrated its 50th anniversary and its still going strong.

Here is a quick video I put together of the floor show at the Mai Kai.
Viewing this video requires QuickTime plugin from Apple (PC & Mac). You can download it for free if you don't have it by going here Get QuickTime.

Working as Entertainment Coordinator was a thrill, but getting to work with Robert Drasnin was a bigger thrill! Here is our little group enjoying a quite dinner at the Mai Kai on Wednesday, before the official start of Hukilau on Thursday. Jeff Chenault (left), Eric aka Capt'n Skully (center), Robert Drasnin and his wife Marlene (right).

At the Friday night Hukilau Main Event: Robert Drasnin (left), Tiki Kiliki-Hukilau Producer (center), Yours Truly (right).

Jeff "Beachbum" Berry pouring during his great Sippin' Safar seminar of Saturday. Yum!

Drinks in Molokai Bar at the Mai Kai. Waitress, Capt'N Skully, Amy (Lil' Dutch)

The Lanai out back of the Mai Kai.

Saturday nigth awards show at the Mai Kai. Beachbum Berry and Tiki Kiliki--what the heck is the Bum wearing anyway?

Mai Kai dinner show - fire, he he he FIRE!

Mai Kai dinner show hula girls.

Trixie Little & The Evil Hate Monkey - Part of the Fridaynight show.

Drasnin Orchestra performing Friday Night!

I love this tiki looking in the window to the Molokai Bar--as if a jungle savage were amuzed by the urban savages and their strange potions.

Front of Mai Kai.

Dinner show.

King Kukulele entertaining the throngs on Friday Night.

Drum kit with Hukilau logo........... The Mai Kai is big, but 670 people--WOW!

Just a cool pic of tiki lights strung up for the Thursdaynight kick off party
I spied this guy, a Marquesan tiki hanging out in the Chinese oven kitchen at the Mai Kai.

BACK TO TOP

Public Radio Goes Tiki

[5/27/09]
I was driving in my car yesterday when I happened to tune my radio over to KPCC, 89.3FM, one of Los Angeles' public broadcasting stations when I suddenly heard the word "tiki."

The show was "Off Ramp" with John Rabe, a weekend interview/talk show featuring audio stories. It just so happened that day (Saturday, May 26th) was a show featuring several tiki segments:

Listen to the tiki segments of the show here.
Listen to the entire show directly from the "Off Ramp" web page.

Oceanic Arts Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Limited Edition Mug!

[5/27/09]
Any tikiphile worth his/her salt knows about Oceanic Arts. Any tikiphile lucky enough to have visitedOceanic Arts has been greeted with a bewildering array of Polynesian decor and artifacts. Well folks, Oceanic Arts has been supplying restaurants, theme parks, movie studios and the general public with tikis for 50 years now! To commemorate their 50th anniversary, Oceanic Arts, in collaboration with Tiki Farm released a limited edition mug. And what a mug it is! This mug is a real beaut. Tiki artist Danny Gallardo did a beautiful job designing this mug and Tiki Farm executed it beautifully--with fine touches of gold on the lettering and an interesting use of both matte and glossy finishes. Only 500 mugs were created. Initially, 300 were to be sold through Oceanic Arts' store in Whittier, CA, and the remaining 200 were to sell through Tiki Farm's web site. However, the demand was so great, that Oceanic Arts requested the remaining stock from Tiki Farm to sell themselves. Anyone lucky enough to

The heart of Oceanic Arts is Bob Van Oosting and Leroy Schmaltz. I remember my first visit. When I stepped through that gigantic warehouse door, I literally felt as though I were stepping into another dimension. All the tiki things I had ever imagined, and many I hadn't, were there beyond that door. I was greeted by a forest of tikis. Every step I took further inside brought me deeper and deeper into the world of tiki. Visiting was a revelation and helped to solidify my passion for tiki. I remember being almost speechless. Walking around mumbling to myself, wide-eyed and amazed. Since that time, Oceanic Arts has supplied my home with countless feet of bamboo, thatching, a tiki here and there, and other artifacts. I am lucky enough to live within a 30-minute drive to Whittier, California, the home of OA and I venture out there whenever I have a free Saturday to wonder through the treasures of Polynesia.

There is a great web site that chronicles a visit to Oceanic Arts w/photos.

Trader Vic's - SPAIN
(mugs anyone?)

[5/8/07]
Hot on the heels of the abrupt and troubling closing of the landmark Beverly Hills Trader Vic's comes the discovery of a new Trader Vic's in Spain--Marbella to be exact. The new location appears to be a full blown Vic's complete with full restaurant and the Trader's newest product; the Mai Tai Bar. This is Trader Vic's light--primarily a bar that serves all of the usual Vic's drinks and also sports an appetizer menu. Now, I know what you're thinking; "so what." Well, there is one interesting feature to this Trader Vic's. Besides having a beautiful web site, they also appear to sell all of their tiki mug ware! While cruising their web site, I came across their online "store". Its not really a store, but a cornucopia of Trader Vic's classic mugs were listed with prices (in Euros)--and everything was there. There was the classic coconut "Aloha" mug, the classic Trader Vic's mai tai glass and the coveted tiki bowl (my personal favorite). But there were others, I have not seen before, or seen rarely. There was a beautiful mug shaped like a seashell, a serving plate complete with TV logo, the large rum barrel and even the older style scorpion bowl and menehune goblet and a second mai tai glass style. There are also additional items, such as logo shirts, caps, a watch and the inexplicable "round nickel stand." All items had a price. However, there is no way to order from the site. The items are accompanied by a notice "You can find all products at our restaurant"--clearly letting the viewer know they do not do mail order and you have to come to the restaurant to get'em. DAMNIT!

...And now, the rant!
Anyone who has ever been to a Trader Vic's (except for a very few certain locations) knows that they do not sell their mugs. This aspect of Vic's has been rather perplexing to me. A company that is so steeped in the tiki culture should know that the tiki mug is the holy grail (forgive the pun) of all tikiphiles and collectors. The tiki mug almost as much as a carved tiki itself, is the embodiment of tiki. So why in the hell is Trader Vic's generally unwilling to sell their mugs?

After reading Humuhumu's eloquent words regarding the abrupt closing of the Vic's in Beverly Hills, California recently and seeing how the closing was handled first hand, it is seriously beginning to appear that Trader Vic's has little or no connection to the world of tiki other than their past. Let's look at it simply-- OBSERVATION: tiki people love this stuff and want to purchase our exclusive mugs. FACT: We want to make money (Trader Vic's that is). CONCLUSION: We should offer these for sale in our restaurants or at least on our web site. REALITY: nothing! Now, I'm not just bitching about not being able to buy a mug. This extends to the handling of the Beverly Hills location--which was a 50+ year old land mark in Los Angeles to boot. The more exposure I have to Trader Vic's, the more it seems they just don't get it....they don't get the very thing they are a part of. It would be like George Lucas releasing "Star Wars" and not seeing the potential in marketing action figures and souvenirs. I mean, COME ON!

The Trader Has Left The Building:
Trader Vic's Abruptly Closes Doors In Los Angeles!

[4/30/07]
Sad news indeed. Today (monday April 30th) without fanfare, the landmark Trader Vics' in Beverly Hills closed its doors in preparation for the wrecking ball. The icon of more than 50 years is no more. Go to Tiki Central for the latest news or the fabulous Humuhumu Kon Tiki Blog. Los Angeles is the town that I call home and I can say the lights are a little dimmer tonight. But Vic's is not the only pop culture icon to fall victim to "progress." All over the country, we are loosing our pop-culture past. But you can help. Join your city's conservancy or historical society!

In the mean time, here are some of my personal memories, in pictures, of my last visit to Vic's in early March of 2007.

Aloha Trader Vics' Los Angeles, you will be missed.

An Interview With Robert Drasnin

[4/18/07]
Robert Drasnin, the composer of the landmark Exotica album "Voodoo" recorded the long awaited sequel to the album in February of 2007. Jeff Chenault interviewed Robert Drasnin during the recording session for "VoodooII".

See Robert Drasnin at a once in a lifetime LIVE performance of his new "VoodooII" album at this year's Hukilau in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Viewing this video requires QuickTime plugin from Apple. You can download it for free if you don't have it by going here Get QuickTime.

You can also view it on YouTube by clicking here.

[BACK TO TOP]

Vintage Hawaiian Music Released on CD in Japan
There seems to be a flurry of vintage Hapa Haole music reissued on CD in Japan recently. Sadly, none are officially available in the US and most are limited editions that have already gone out of print.

Some of the releases include: "Lure of The Islands" by Hal Aloma, "Latin Village" by Martin Denny, "Favorite Selection of Johnny Ukulele", "Hawaiian Holiday" by Sam Makia and his Waikikians, "Around the Island in 80 Shakes" by Benny Kalama, a greatest hits of Haunani Kahalewai, some hard to find "Hawaii Calls" reissues and more.

Read the whole story in the "Music" section. Click here.

[BACK TO TOP]

Robert Drasnin's "Voodoo 2" Recording Session

[added 2/22/07] The tiki world is abuzz with the news that recording for the upcoming "Voodoo 2" album began on Friday, February 16th, 2007 in Los Angeles. "Voodoo 2" is the sequel to "Voodoo", the 1960's release by Drasnin, and his only exotica album--until now. The original "Voodoo" might well have been lost to time had it not been for Dionysus Records and their reissue of it on CD in 1997. "Voodoo" is on the must-have list for exotica buffs and people just now discovering the genre and tiki culture.

Recording of the sequel "Voodoo 2" began with the first downbeat on Saturday, February 17thm 2007. The album was recorded live to multi-track with many tiki luminaries present to witness the historic recording, including yours truly. It was a true honor to be present and to help out as a tech on the sessions. Here are some pictures of recording

Robert Drasnin conducting

RD warming up on clarinet before the session starts

Robert Drasnin (left), Vocalist Stephanie and "Voodoo 2" producer Skip Heller

DJ Bonebrake on Marimba during a recording take

Panorama of the studio. Instrumentation, from left to right (back row): 2 percussionists, drummer, acoustic bass, piano, synthesizer, vibes, marimba. (Front row): harp, cello, flute, vocal. Robert Drasnin on clarinet and saxophone.
[BACK TO TOP]

Hukilau 2007 Coming to Ft. Lauderdale in June!

Don't miss this year's Hukilau! This is the second year that I'm involved with the world-famous tiki event in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and this year promises to pack a real tiki punch. The main attraction - for me anyways - is the debut of Robert Drasnin's "Voodoo 2" which will be performed LIVE at the Hukilau! Also on hand will be the relase of, author of "Intoxica" and "Grog Log," Beachbum Berry's new book "Sippin' Safari", exotica expert Jeff Chenault and whole list of tiki-philes. For more check out the official Hukilau website.
[BACK TO TOP]