About the Book
In 1956 a few brash young men created the Mai-Kai by way of a coup at Don the Beachcomber’s and went on to eclipse the old guard restaurants. The Mai-Kai became the playground of celebrities and playboys, and the beautiful women working there used it as a jumping-off point for adventure and fame. Through first-hand stories, images, and ephemera, this book documents the history and enduring legacy of the pinnacle of the Mid-Century Tiki era. This is the story of how the Mai-Kai and its iconic elements came to exist, and the tales of the men and women who shaped it and went on to shape the world.
Hundreds of rare and unseen images
Tales from those who lived them
New insights into the father of Tiki
Adventures of the Mai-Kai maidens
creators
Tim Glazner
Stephanie Romer
Testimonials
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Latest Blog entries
Leonce Picot 1932-2018
Leonce Picot 1932 – 2018 When I began researching the Mai-Kai book in earnest, the first person I tracked down to interview was Leonce Picot. At the time I thought he was the first general manager, but he informed me otherwise. He was an assistant manager from 1957 to 1967. He had been involved with Read more about Leonce Picot 1932-2018[…]
Herb Kane and Bob Van Dorpe
First general manager of the Mai-Kai Bob Van Dorpe was friends with Herb Kane since their time together at the Chicago Institute of Art. They shared a love of Polynesia and when Herb left the advertising world to live in Hawaii, It was Bob whom he lived with, and later, it was Bob living on Read more about Herb Kane and Bob Van Dorpe[…]
Mystery of the Fiji Room
I had never heard of the Fiji dining room at the Mai-Kai. No one I talked to ever mentioned it. I had never thought to name the 5 dining rooms that the articles said were in the original restaurant, but even if I did I might have assumed they included Garden as a dining room Read more about Mystery of the Fiji Room[…]
Remembering the Surfboard Bar
The original bar at the Mai-Kai was not the Molokai Bar, but the Surfboard Bar. It was made from real, 30 foot long wooden surfboards from Hawaii. It featured a diorama behind it that was animated. The sun rose and set as did the moon. There was a little village and a fire would start. Read more about Remembering the Surfboard Bar[…]
Happy Talk Winter 1967
Girl of the month was none other than Carol Sparkman, who was good friends with Johnny Carson and was on the Tonight Show as a Mystery Girl twice. She was also our guest at Hukilau last year and entertained the crowd with her memories. Carol, Swanky and her daughter at Hukilau 2017. We hope to Read more about Happy Talk Winter 1967[…]
2018 Molokai Bar 60th Anniversary
Reserve your place for my presentation at the Hukilau HERE. We all know today’s Molokai Bar with it’s nautical theme of a galley ship, but until 1971, it was a different place. After the huge success of the opening, they realized they needed a bigger bar to seat waiting guests (and get money out of Read more about 2018 Molokai Bar 60th Anniversary[…]
Polynesian Pop-In at The Hukilau
Join Swanky for an afternoon of Mai-Kai history with ephemera, images, video, Mai-Kai veterans and stories free at The Hukilau! June 8th noon to 4PM at the Pier 66.
Derby Daiquiri Ads
“The $100,000 drink” managed a bit of advertisement amazingness by having the Mai-Kai mentioned in the ads by Rums of Puerto Rico. Here are a few.
Swanky’s Tiki Pecha Kucha
Pecha Kucha is a worldwide series of presentation all with the same format: 20 images which each displaying for 20 seconds. I decided to apply to do a presentation thinking it would be easy. I’ve done many presentations of various lengths. I was wrong. First, what was I going to present about? Cocktails? How I Read more about Swanky’s Tiki Pecha Kucha[…]
Support Our Research – Become a Patron
On Don the Beachcomber’s birthday, we are launching a Patreon campaign whereby you can help us in our efforts to document his life. Click here for all the details. Top supporters can get one of these limited edition Tiki Diablo bowls.