 |
Mai Kai - Tiki Archeology |
Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3916
From: Santa Barbara, CA
|  Posted: 2011-02-03 6:18 pm Permalink
I did a little Mai Kai matchbook archeology.
Here is an early version with a simple rendering on the cover. Looks like a typo on Hiway.
The three cannibals.
And the back of the matchbook with a simple explanation of "Mai Kai".
The next version has a much more detailed rendering with the sign and the covered hut area.
The cannibals.
The back of the matchbook now advertises Cantonese Cuisine and Tropical Drinks. The drink of the house is the Derby Daiquiri.
(pic from Swanky on Ooga Mooga)
The last matchbook I have has the same front as above, and the back now includes Tahitian Shows and the house specialty is the Mystery Bowl.
(Ooga Mooga pic)
DC
|
GatorRob
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: 1766
From: 3 hrs 33 mins to paradise
| Posted: 2011-02-04 3:52 pm Permalink
You know, with this one all blown up big like that, it strikes me that this drawing cleaned up plus the text would make for a really nice framed wall hanging.
Quote:
|
On 2011-02-03 18:18, Dustycajun wrote:
|
|
|
wplugger
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 09, 2006
Posts: 161 | Posted: 2011-02-05 04:22 am Permalink
Rob,
"it strikes you"
Don't forget to close cover be for striking.
|
uncle trav
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 27, 2005
Posts: 1531
From: Kalamazoo
| Posted: 2011-02-05 07:28 am Permalink
Quote:
|
On 2011-02-04 15:52, GatorRob wrote:
You know, with this one all blown up big like that, it strikes me that this drawing cleaned up plus the text would make for a really nice framed wall hanging.
|
|
Here you go Rob. All cleaned up.
or this. Sorry about the derail.
_________________
"Anyone who has ever seen them is thereafter haunted as if by a feverish dream" Karl Woermann
[ This Message was edited by: uncle trav 2011-02-05 08:03 ]
|
GatorRob
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: 1766
From: 3 hrs 33 mins to paradise
| Posted: 2011-02-06 4:09 pm Permalink
Nice! Okay then, where's the ready-to-frame print? 
|
TikiTomD
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Sep 20, 2009
Posts: 629
From: Flagler Beach, FL
| Posted: 2011-02-06 4:50 pm Permalink
I took the cleaned-up digital scan of the Mai Kai matchbook cover that Trav posted to the local CVS Pharmacy do-it-yourself photo center and got a perfect 5x7 print suitable for framing...
|
uncle trav
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 27, 2005
Posts: 1531
From: Kalamazoo
| Posted: 2011-03-17 09:17 am Permalink
Here is a bit of computer archeology about both the Mystery Bowl and the Mystery Girl. First is a small mention of the Mystery Bowl in a newspaper piece from 1959.
Here a mention of Myna Weber being picked as the new Mystery Girl from 1958.
A description of the ceremony surrounding the "Surprise Drink" from 1958. This obviously has to be the Mystery Bowl. Good stuff.
_________________
"Anyone who has ever seen them is thereafter haunted as if by a feverish dream" Karl Woermann
|
bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 10556
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2011-03-17 10:15 am Permalink
Excellent, I love it when Tiki ceramics get dates found for them! So WHERE is that Esquire article that shows that "whimsical" collage of their mascot "Esky" with the Mai Kai bowl!? 
|
Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4805
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2011-03-17 10:39 am Permalink
There were 2 articles on the Mai-Kai in 1959 in Esquire. I posted the Derby Daiquiri HERE and just got the other one mentioned in this posting and will add it soon.
_________________
Mai-Kai Memories Series Custom ceramic mugs!
|
Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4805
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2011-03-17 7:01 pm Permalink
The November 1959 Esquire article about the Mai-Kai
_________________
Mai-Kai Memories Series Custom ceramic mugs!
|
JONPAUL
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 12, 2010
Posts: 134
From: Venice, California
| Posted: 2011-06-03 11:21 am Permalink
I'm soooo excited to have the opportunity to make it back to Mecca...er, um...The Mai-Kai next week!!!!
Coincidentally, here are a few recent "in the wild" finds.
Has anyone ever seen the wooden swizzle with the 3 cannibals on it?? (I love that it's fruit-stained towards the tip!)
_________________
THE TIKIYAKI ORCHESTRA
INSECT SURFERS
TIKI MAGAZINE
FIBERGLASS JUNGLE on Luxuria
|
Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4805
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2011-06-06 09:29 am Permalink
Quote:
|
On 2011-06-03 11:21, JONPAUL wrote:
I'm soooo excited to have the opportunity to make it back to Mecca...er, um...The Mai-Kai next week!!!!
Coincidentally, here are a few recent "in the wild" finds.
Has anyone ever seen the wooden swizzle with the 3 cannibals on it?? (I love that it's fruit-stained towards the tip!)
|
|
Nope. Not seen that pick and not seen that Derby Daiquiri coaster. I need to pay more attention as I have seen that one and thought it was the blue one I already had!
_________________
Mai-Kai Memories Series Custom ceramic mugs!
|
Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2078
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2011-06-06 1:36 pm Permalink
Quote:
|
On 2011-06-03 11:21, JONPAUL wrote:
Has anyone ever seen the wooden swizzle with the 3 cannibals on it?? (I love that it's fruit-stained towards the tip!) |
|
There is some debate at the Mai Kai on that being a swizzle/garnish pick....
Someone in the kitchen said it was a Steak/Meat Marker used to mark special orders. If that's the case, it wouldn't be fruit stained it would be meat stained.
Marker... Garnish pick... Either way its still cool as hell and I wish I had a couple of them.
|
tikiyaki
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2676
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
| Posted: 2011-06-06 3:26 pm Permalink
Quote:
|
On 2011-06-06 13:36, Chip and Andy wrote:
Quote:
|
On 2011-06-03 11:21, JONPAUL wrote:
Has anyone ever seen the wooden swizzle with the 3 cannibals on it?? (I love that it's fruit-stained towards the tip!) |
|
There is some debate at the Mai Kai on that being a swizzle/garnish pick....
Someone in the kitchen said it was a Steak/Meat Marker used to mark special orders. If that's the case, it wouldn't be fruit stained it would be meat stained.
|
|
That's debatable too....after all, Tiki/Polynesian cuisine always came heavily garnished too,sometimes with maraschino cherries and pineapple.
|
AlohaStation
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 27, 2004
Posts: 2003
From: So FL
| Posted: 2011-06-15 06:46 am Permalink
It was nice to go to the Mai Kai on Sunday. Rarely do you get an opportunity to walk through the restaurant with the lights on and doors open. They set up a nice display on the stage which gave me some personal satisfaction. I heard someone ask if they had prints of the painting and couldn't help but feel that was a fantastic idea. That place truly is a treasure.
|
