Oh my word. I had no idea. The Hukilau. The most amazing event I have ever attended. It was so much fun. Kate and I arrived back home on Monday — and we are still processing — so today an easyish-peasy-ish we-can’t-even-begin-to-capture-it-really photo essay: Scenes from The Hukilau 2014.
To begin — Kate and I share our photo diary of The Hukilau in general. Tomorrow, our photos from The Mai Kai.
About The Hukilau
The Hukilau began 13 years ago, when a dedicated community of tikiphiles on the East Coast decided to create their own annual gathering to celebrate tiki culture. It was not very easy to participate in tiki activities on the West Coast. So these tiki fans — led by Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White — launched their own event in Atlanta. The Hukilau was an instant success. But not far from Atlanta — in Fort Lauderdale — there was an even better place to meet, they quickly agreed: The Mai Kai Restaurant — a phenomenal time capsule example of postwar tiki architecture built in 1956 — a veritable Temple o’ the Tiki — still was operating. So, the Hukilau moved to Fort Lauderdale and has thrived there ever since, with the Mai Kai as the epicenter of activities.
Kate and I participated in this year’s Hukilau for the first time. We led the panel on how to create your own home tiki bar, which included leading tiki design experts Jamie Wilson and Anjy Cameron aka Cheeky Tiki… Bamboo Ben… Danny Gallardo aka Tiki Diablo… and Dave Wolfe aka Basement Kahuna.
We participated in all the other events, too… we learned all about tiki history… we met top tiki historians… we taste-tested well-crafted tiki cocktails derived from original Don the Beachcomber recipes… we examined and acquired tiki artifacts (ahem, we shopped)…
… we wore vintage dresses and flowers in our hair… we wandered around the Mai Kai over and over again… and, we met lots of readers and many other wonderful people. There were mermaids, burlesque and bands playing exotica revival tunes, too. This is a fantastic community!
My favorite parts of The Hukilau were the Mai Kai… and the people… and oh my: The clothes.
Experienced villagers had costume changes at least twice a day. I was told that they shopped all year in preparation. And it showed.
A key take away: It is super difficult to be unhappy when you are wearing a bright flower-covered dress — and a flower in your hair. The men: Dressed just as loudly, just as proudly, as the women.
It will take some time to recover from this.
Photos from The Hukilau:
Tip to use slide show: Click on thumbnail… it will enlarge… use the arrows below each photo to move forward or back… you may start or stop at any photo.
Myeva says
Pam and Kate you both looked stunning at the Hukilau-! Wish we could have been there. Great event- now I know that someone will want to buy the gorgeous vintage tiki fabric I have been keeping forever… I’ll see how much I’ve got and then send a photo if anyone’s interested in making an outfit for next year… I can’t remember if you have a marketplace on this site?
Shari says
Ooh! Vintage tiki fabric…do show us photos please!
Mary Elizabeth says
OK, I have two bits of advice. Kate, next year know that you can’t keep drinking tiki cocktails while you wait for dinner. Pretty soon you won’t be able to raise any of your eyebrows–or your head off the table. Second, Pam, keep the false eyelashes if they are comfortable. They really are cool. But don’t let them fall into your drink.
This was a very wonderful celebration and inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Some time should we share recipes for at-home hukelaus and luaus?
pam kueber says
Also, I realize that the reason we don’t have more photos of the interior of The Mai-Kai is that upon entering, we always made a bee line for the Molokai Bar. After one Zombie, you forget you’re supposed to be taking lots of photos. Next time: Work first, celebrate after. But then, we also had on our assignment list: Taste-test cocktails. So many tiki drinks. So little time.
tammyCA says
well I don’t know see my first post.
Anyway, sure looks like a fun time…and, now I’m craving a colorful tropical drink..and I rarely drink. Which reminds me…every time I watch the old movie, “The Blue Gardenia” where Ann Baxter drinks (rather gets plastered, which leads to trouble) some Polynesian Pearl Divers at the swanky, tropical-y Blue Gardenia I want a cool tropical drink. 🙂
tammyCA says
It looks so fun…glad you guys were able to make it down there and share the pics…that’s a great one with the giant tiki.
I’ve never been anywhere tropical (except once in a Don the Beachcomber restaurant in the ’70s..very cool..I wanted to live in it)…now, I’m craving a big colorful tropical-y drink. 🙂
Andi says
FUN!! Just so much fun—and I know you are right about not being able to be unhappy in wild colorful dresses and hair-flowers! Oh my….fabulous, all of it!
G says
The well dressed villager in blue by the large Tiki is none other than fabulous mid-century inspired artist Vikki Vaden!!
John Tremain says
Aloha, Pam! So wonderful meeting you at the Hukilau. Your talk has inspired me and the wheels are turning for creating a drinking space in our basement. Low ceilings, little light, lots of problems to turn into features. Thinking ship’s hold…nautical focus. Secret retreat in the bowels of our A&C bungalow. You are, awesome.
pam kueber says
Awe… It was So Great to meet you, John!!!!! Be sure to take lots of before-during-and-after photos, and we’ll post it on the blog!
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com says
It was a positive THRILL and HIGHLIGHT of our entire visit to the Hukilau to meet Pam and Kate in real life!
(Just realized that when I typed the above that Mod Betty’s 2 sisters in real life are Pam and Kate!! Too wonderfully random!)
You gals were swell to chat with, and so glad we all got to experience this Hukilau together. Mahalo Ohana!
Kate says
It was fantastic to meet you too Mod Betty! That’s too funny that your real life sisters are also Pam and Kate. 🙂
Gina Santucci says
So YOU are the person who bought the framed masks!! Well, we scored one of the carved war clubs, so I suppose it’s alright. 😉 It was such a pleasure meeting you!
pam kueber says
I am going to turn them into sconces per the instructions / trick of Cheeky Tiki — stay tuned!
Shari says
I also love those masks, after seeing your photos! Are they vintage?