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New Don the Beachcomber opening in Hawaii? Photos |
dogbytes
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 2240
From: seattle, wa
|  Posted: 2006-03-09 1:45 pm Permalink
From their website
Royal Lahaina Resort
2780 Kekaa Drive,
Kaanapali, Maui, HI 96761
"Don the Beachcomber Lounge ~ A combination of the exotic Polynesian and Tiki retro styles blend together to create one of the best traditional bars that Kaanapali has to offer. As you soak in the soothing sounds of sexy jazz as it fades into the tropical and luscious surroundings enjoy a tantalizing tropical drink while being guarded by Tikis."
we were quite excited when we found Don's open! i wish it were daytime to take better pictures of the building (but perhaps Hanford can repost his) we were a little put off by the sign that tells customers to order from the bar before finding a seat. much more put off by the bartender with attitude. i guess he's more used to opening a bottle of bud than (god forbid) mixing anything.
its a huge building, and the lights are dimmed ~ i wanted to be impressed..
front sign
outside door tikis
couple of crazy things that don't match decor
(the hula maniquin, not me, silly)
and a monkey riding a banana, what the?
The space has wonderful structure
carved poles
i went to the restroom in hopes of finding more decor, instead i found a bathroom scarier than a truckstop. i took pictures of the door handles, which seem to be of resin.
 
restroom door handles
fantastic lamps and lahua matting on the ceilings
these are huge, probably 3 feet in diameter!!
cozy booths
tapa tablecloths and cute coconut monkeys
back entrance from the Luau
if i lived on Maui ~ i'm not sure there would be any reason to revisit this Don the Beachcomber. They serve no food or bar snacks. The bartender is devoid of personality, is "ass" a personality trait?. At least the alternative music [ooh grunge, just what i wanted to relax to!) and ESPN are not up full blast. no matches, napkins, swizzles, mugs or anything at all! fer crying out loud, every little plate lunch joint we went to had souvineer shirts!
there is so much potential! they have a full kitchen area (looks like the appliances are gone). Don's is right next to the Luau area ~ and could be a great source of clients who want to get away from the "drinks" served to tourists (but alas, the drinks served to us, were of the same quality.. and cost us 16 bucks for a "zombie" and a virgin pina colada.
the hotel bars are packed on Oahu, with less atmosphere, but the draw is the music.. local Uke players, trios, traditional hula dancers... all make for a great place to meet and drink. Don's could easily be such a destination.. they need a push in that direction!
but if you're visiting the island, i recommend you stop in, and maybe things will improve with time.
elicia
hm, maybe things could improve if we forward this thread to the manager (if its not the same lame bartender we met...)
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HelloTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2005
Posts: 440
From: Kailua, Hawaii
| Posted: 2006-03-09 2:38 pm Permalink
Looks "bland" to say the least. Who runs it? Lawyers?
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pa'akiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Mar 26, 2005
Posts: 70 | Posted: 2006-03-10 8:00 pm Permalink
photo's from Don the beachcomber Kona.    steak and shrimp $29.95 see the tiki farm s&p shakers no mugs for sale I have more photo's if anyone wants to see them
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Unga Bunga
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 06, 2003
Posts: 5734
From: CaliTikifornia
| Posted: 2006-03-10 10:55 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2003-05-24 22:04, RevBambooBen wrote:
I heard Taco Bell, inc. bought the name Don the Beachcomber. I just did a bar for them. Maybe it'll be a fancy taco hut? |
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By the looks of the photos, I believe your right Ben.
Hey Don! We're gonna make a better tribute to ya than this, for sure.
(just in case you were wiggin) 
_________________
Oh It Looks Good On You Though!
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puamana
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 02, 2002
Posts: 291
From: Seattle, WA
| Posted: 2006-04-15 3:41 pm Permalink
I just posted some pics from the Don the Beachcomber's Big Island location over in Tiki Travel (along with some other Big Island photos) here's the link:
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=19149&forum=16&0
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tikibars
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 11, 2002
Posts: 2014
From: Aku Hall, Chicago
| Posted: 2006-12-04 3:37 pm Permalink
Word from the manager at Don the Baachcomber on Big Island is that the Maui location is being completely overhauled as part of a $330 million renovation of the resort.
Should be reopened soon.
They're dropiing $5 million alone on DTB, so time will tell if that cashed is used poorly (fiberglas palm trees and 117" plasma televisions) or wisely (lots wood Tikis and intense bartender training).
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2006-12-05 10:52 pm Permalink
$330 Million, including $5 Mil on DTB.
That's a huge, huge, longterm investment.
The hotel corporation must be adding several new towers, and several additional restaurants/bars, a huge spa and 2 golf courses in order to recoup that type of investment. How much interest does one have to pay on a $330 Million loan?
Or maybe they are just selling 150 $3 million ocean front condos and really only sprucing up the hotel.
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