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.
Paul Roe says
The spirit of Aloha is what Hukilau is all about. It was lovely to meet you Pam and we had such a great time, shame it’s over but next year it will be bigger and better.
Hope to see you before then.
<3
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com says
Paul – Cliff and I were overwhelmed with how friendly and cool everyone was – not an attitude in the bunch. A total Aloha spirit that we did our best to carry on as well. Love being a part of something so positive and fun!
Robin, NV says
Several years ago, I found a bunch of 1960s high end formal dresses at the Salvation Army. They were all exactly my size!! I bought four of them including a Hawaiian full length dress. It was cream colored with a brown Tiki cape attached at the color. It was SO fabulous. Alas, I no longer have it. I’m still kicking myself for not keeping it.
Laurie Louise says
Thanks for the travelogue! A couple of months after being drawn into this retro time-travel journey, I told my husband that we were now part of a subculture. I had no idea!
April says
Looks awesome!. for those who missed it, there’s Tiki Oasis coming up San Diego in August
http://www.tikioasis.com/2014/
Geronimom says
YES! I’ve been anxiously awaiting your return and the accompanying commentary/photos so that I could at least experience this amazing event vicariously! Looks like a truly awesome time with awesome, vintage-loving, like-minded people. Maybe someday I, too, will get to attend such a fun event – perhaps a “Retro Renovation” convention will be on a future radar? Maybe at that new vintage themed hotel in Orlando you wrote of here awhile back? Or in Vegas – I think Vegas just might be able to handle this crazy Retro Renovation crowd! ;-). Thanks for sharing all the great pics from the Hukilau!
Kate says
Oh my goodness yes — everyone we met was so friendly, welcoming and fun to talk to. It was like having hundreds of “instant friends.” The Hukilau tiki community ROCKS!
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com says
I totally agree – meeting the friendly “villagers” was a highlight for Retro Roadhusband and me!
gsciencechick says
I just stayed at Universal’s Cabana Bay resort, and I didn’t really see dedicated space for a convention/conference. There was a small group that booked the bar area one night for a private party.
virginia says
Looks like a blast. I love the half and half phone art!
Roundhouse Sarah says
So jealous!
Jay says
What happens at Huilau stays at Hukilau! Looks like Pam and Kate’s alter egos had a great time. Thanks for sharing.
John aka AtomicHipster says
Hi Pam,
I love the Mai Kai. I vacation in Ft. Lauderdale most winters and always try to get to the Mai Kai at least once while there. It’s truly a magical place. Did they still have the water running over the windows in the bar area so you felt like you were on a ship during a storm?
John
Kate says
Yes they did John! It was such a cool feature — one of my favorite touches in the decor. 🙂
Rob and Monica says
Looks like so much fun! wish we were there!~ (Monica)