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Is the Islands Restaurant/Hanalei Hotel being gutted? |
tikibars
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 11, 2002
Posts: 2014
From: Aku Hall, Chicago
|  Posted: 2007-03-26 10:07 pm Permalink
I visited the Hanalei a few times back in 1994 and 1995, as one of the first Tiki places that I actively sought out and went out of my way to explore. In fact, I went to it before Hala Kahiki or Trader Vic's here in Chicago.
This was just before the first renovation, and it still looked as Sven's pics show.
I have an awful nostalgia for this place, since I visited when Tiki was new and fresh to me, when I didn't know who carved the Tikis (who cares, they looked cool!), when I didn't realize how shitty the drinks were (who cares, they got me drunk!), when I didn't realize how fast placed like this were vanishing (who cares - it's here NOW).
I just loved the vibe and the feeling of the place, and soaked it all in, reveling in how insanely cool it was.
Those were good times.
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bamalamalu
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 20, 2006
Posts: 389 | Posted: 2007-05-02 9:35 pm Permalink
So everybody doesn't miss the driveway this summer...
The new sign is up:
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8313
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2007-05-03 11:47 am Permalink
can you say LAME!!!
when I was there about a month back I saw the resturaunt,
sad sad sad.
its all disappearing before our eyes.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
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mieko
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 01, 2006
Posts: 531
From: San Diego
| Posted: 2007-05-09 11:33 am Permalink
Went a few weeks ago, the restaurant is less cool, but the fountain is still there. Here's a couple of quick pictures
You can tell the restaurant was packed on a Wednesday night at dinner time.  We ate at the sushi bar.
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Dr.TikiMojo
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 26, 2006
Posts: 447
From: The Now BANKRUPT - Vallejo, CA
| Posted: 2007-05-09 12:31 pm Permalink
I still liked the darker, more intimate Tiki/Polynesian feel to it.
Definitely will miss the Giant Clam shell water fall that was also located IN the restaurant area and of course the HANGING FISH FLOAT LIGHTS
At least I was lucky enough to get to see it once....I only wish I had taken more pictures! 
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surffnutt3000
Member
Joined: May 02, 2007
Posts: 3 | Posted: 2007-05-09 10:45 pm Permalink
[ This Message was edited by: surffnutt3000 2007-05-14 20:47 ]
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