My favorite artisan at the Luau on the Lake was Dave Hansen, who does hand carvings like these. His company is Lake Tiki / South Pacific Street, and he is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (another one of my “hometowns” as I went to college there.) I thought his work was gorgeous, and we bought our first piece. Oh my, tiki is possibly the only thing we have not started collecting yet. Where will it go? You can contact Dave here.
Tiki carvings by Dave Hansen
Posted by: pam kueber • September 20, 2009
Vintage Witco tiki bar – the greatest one ever? 
A basement shuffleboard for Dave & Sarah 
Dave makes a George Nelson-style platform bench using Matthew Burak legs 
Become a fan
That looks fantastic!! I know what you mean- I don’t collect tiki stuff, either. But I suspect I would if I saw something handmade like that
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
That is tiki-rific! Does he have a website?
Update: Here is Dave’s contact info: http://www.myspace.com/laketiki
I gave him unsolicited advice – that he should put some stuff up via etsy as well, I think that is a great outlet for artisans of handmade as well as those into vintage.
Thanks Pam! Very cool – - I think your etsy advice is great too.
Watch out! Tiki can become an addiction!
Thanks for sharing this new artist
Aloha Everyone!
Thanks for your kind compliments, and it was a pleasure meeting you Pam! Thanks so much for your purchase!
The easiest way to get in touch with me and view some of my work is here: http://www.myspace.com/laketiki and to email me at laketiki@yahoo.com
I’ve been a tiki carver for 9 years now, and my work is featured in tiki establishments such as Trader Vic’s Chicago, Frankie’s Tiki Room Las Vegas, Smuggler’s Cove in The Bay Area, Foundation Tiki Bar in Milwaukee, and The Rendezvous in Kenosha, WI.
In addition, 100′s of Polynesian Pop enthusiasts around the country and the world enjoy my creations in their home!
I’ll be updating my page soon with new work!
Dave
Lake Tiki
Welcome, Dave, I’m glad you checked in — and glad you made it back to Milwaukee safely. A long trip to Lake George, that’s for sure! We love the piece we bought — and now I need to show it on the blog with a bunch of the other pieces I photographed. I will do a slide show as soon as I can. I really love your work and will try to send lots of customers your way.
Dave’s work is some of the best out there, but be careful…tiki collecting will grab a hold of you and take over everything. mugs, menus, silverware, plates, carvings, lamps, etc etc…. Its too late for me. Turn back now, while you still can!!! lol.
Glad you made it to Ohana. It was great to have you!
Hi Bargoyle, thank you for helping me with reservations for the Tiki Weekend. It was great fun. I haven’t had time to download and organize all my photos yet…coming soon! We’ll be there next year!