The super way cool thing about The Hukilau is that, at its heart, it is a gathering of people who sincerely adore historic American Polynesian-pop tiki culture. This is not a crowd of “partiers” — although, it’s a wicked awesome party, for sure. No: I think I came to learn and appreciate that The Hukilau is very much about: Studying, celebrating and preserving the odd bits of history that combined, make us who we are… and at The Hukilau, the #1 archeological dig to study, celebrate and preserve is: The Mai-Kai Restaurant.

Photo courtesy the Mai-Kai.

The Mai-Kai is not a relic, though. It is alive and kicking — dancing and fire-eating, in fact! Opened in 1956 by brothers who wanted to bring tiki to the East Coast, the Mai-Kai is the #1 tiki temple in American extant today. It’s a tiki time capsule: There are eight dining rooms — although you may never want to leave the perfect Molokai Bar… there is a meandering garden with waterfalls and tikis out back… and there is an authentic Polynesian Show. Retrophiles, put this on your bucket list! Southwest Airlines airfares are cheap. Get thee to the Mai-Kai as soon as you can — and plan on staying a while, because there are 57 crafted cocktails — evolved from Don the Beachcomber recipes — to experience. This place is mind-bogglingly amazing. I am going back just as soon as I can.Heck yeah there is more →