Category: Tiki Room

The Peculiar and Wonderful World of Tiki Animals

Many animals have come to be associated with tiki over the years, and here are some of the most prominent ones, how they became part of tiki culture, and a look at some of Hawaii’s most interesting animals. The Toucan When we think of the Toucan bird, we think of Tiki. In fact, these birds …

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Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

The first image that comes to mind when anyone mentions Tiki to me, is the famous Walt Disney Enchanted Tiki Room. There are three such rooms. One is located in Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and the other is located at Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida, and the third is located in Tokyo, Japan at the Tokyo …

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Dick Dale & The Del Tones – “Misirlou”

“The King of the Surf Guitar” Dick Dale was born on the day May 4, 1937 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Father of Exotica Martin Denny

Happy birthday to the “father of exotica” Martin Denny, born on this day April 10, 1911 in New York, NY. Here is his enchanting exotica version of the Mediterranean folk song “Misirlou.”

The Real Story of Tiki Totem Poles as Ancestry Preservation

We are used to the words “totem pole” to mean those long poles with carved figures on them. Usually we see totem poles with wings from birds or other animals. But in the Pacific islands, these pole structures are called Tiki poles or Tiki totem poles. Tiki totem poles from the islands of the Pacific …

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The History of Tiki in the Mainland USA

Two people are credited with bringing all things Tiki to North America. They are Victor Bergeron and Ernest Gantt. Gantt later change his name to Donn Beach. It was rumored he wanted a more Pacific type of name. Don the Beachcomber started traveling the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and other tropical places to find anything …

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The Ukulele: Made Famous by Tiki

Originally, the ukulele was brought to Hawaii from the West. However, it was Hawaii and Tiki music that actually made the ukulele a mainstream instrument, and an instrument synonymous with Tiki music. When we think back of Hawaiian music, it is hard to imagine this music without the cheerful sound of the ukulele. This is …

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Experience the Beautiful Hawaiian Language

Because of the recent Tiki resurgence, there is also a renewed interest in the Hawaiian language. And, with Southwest Airlines adding direct flights to Hawaii from Los Angeles, it seems the interest in Hawaii and all things Tiki has been felt in the corporate world even affecting recent travel to the Islands. The Hawaiian language …

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Lili Verona – Day​-​O

Here’s Lili Verona’s delightful “Day​-​O” from the recently re-discovered album Traditional Songs of Jamaica from Cosmic Spy Music. Traditional Songs of Jamaica by Lili Verona

Is the Tiki Kitsch Craze Innocent Fun or Exploitation of Culture?

When Trader Vic invented his now famous Tiki cocktails in fun whimsical Tiki head souvenir glasses with curly straws and tons of rum, there was not any thought as to sensitivity to the Hawaiian culture that might exist if it were today. Think of it like this. What if a bar were started with a …

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