Category: Tiki Room

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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The History of Tiki Carvings

When my sister went to Hawaii years ago, she brought me back a small Tiki wooden carving. The perfect gift from Hawaii, I thought. Every time I look at this carving, I think of Hawaii and the island culture. Of course I also think of my sister! Tiki statues, the totem poles, masks and all …

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Drum Rhythms of Haiti Cuba Brazil

First recorded by Katherine Dunham & The Singing Gods in 1955 and now rediscovered, here is Nanigo (Cuba) from Drum Rhythms of Haiti Cuba Brazil. Drum Rhythms of Haiti Cuba Brazil by Katherine Dunham & The Singing Gods

Domenique Dumont – People on Sunday

Domenique Dumont’s album People on Sunday glows with synths that dance and bounce with both classical brilliance and the mystique of exotica. The Latvian composer created the album as a modern soundtrack to the 1930 German silent film People On Sunday (Menschen am Sonntag/Les Hommes le Dimanche) which portrays everyday life before the dictatorship. As …

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The Hilo Hi-Flyers: The Island of My Dreams

“The Island of My Dreams” is from the LA tiki swing quartet The Hilo Hi-Flyers’ debut album Adventure! The album is currently available from Hi-Tide Recordings, where you can buy the LP on vinyl in tiger orange, offered with this cryptic message: Somewhere deep in a rainy jungle lies a stone temple, guarded by a …

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Stag-O-Lee Shares Born to Hula! Compilation

This week Hamburg-based DJ Crille released a compilation of fun exotica tunes via the Stag-O-Lee DJ-Set Series. You can have a listen to all 32 tracks on BandCamp. BORN TO HULA! Stag-O-Lee DJ Set Vol. 4 by Stag-O-Lee DJ Sets