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Hukilau memories |
pablus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2003
Posts: 2149
From: www.crazedmugs.com
|  Posted: 2006-10-09 2:04 pm Permalink
No pics, just some thoughts.
I think I'm the only person in the tribe to get a sunburn. Oddly, it was while sitting on the beach playing my ukulele with Kanekila teaching me the song "Red Opu." If that isn't irony then it doesn't exist.
The girls were so unbelievably gorgeous. All of them were dressed in stunning attire and just awe inspiring. "Awe inspiring" means drool was present.
Stump Grinder can scream with any of the great horror movie classic screamers. Her performance with Waitiki was astounding.
I think I'm in love with Waitiki. Freaks, the lot of 'em.
The Mayor of Exotica has absolutely lost his mind. It's a beautiful thing.
At one point, after everyone else had left - a who's who of tiki-dom was hanging out in the Molokai lounge until 2:30am or so. I was geeked to be there with them. And then I drove home - to Tampa.
KailuaGeoff's slide show was a lot of fun except for those terrifying photos that had flounder in them.
I didn't go to Beachbum's class - and this is the truth now - because I wanted the people who were involved to be able to tell someone about it that would really care and would give them rapt attention. I'm waiting for Kuku Ahu's email any day with his eloquent raves and raves.
Combo Mahalo is an awesome Hapa Haole band.
APE is like PHISH, except the groupies are better looking and there are Tikis.
Rev. Bamboo Ben has no equal in cutting loose, with the possible exception of Crazy Al. How they hang out together is a mystery that dispels any previous notion of yin and yang.
I missed seeing bungy. Drat.
Ken and Heather Pleasant are very cool people.
The Intoxicators rock like crazy.
The room parties this year were scattered between the beach and a few rooms. The thing was just too big to contain in one area. And that's a good thing.
Mogambo - thanks for the Pampero. See you in Bavaria.
Basement Kahuna is a master carver. And now one of his tikis is in a place of honor at the Mai Kai to testify to it. Well done, my braddah.
Tiki Kiliki and The Tiki Pugs and Chip and Andy and IDOT and Casey and all of the others who worked on this Hukilau are to be showered with mahalos and plumeria leis. It was a first class event at every turn and in every corner. I still think they should open up the vendors to the public on the Saturday but I'm a mercenary like that.
Kern Mattei had a big smile on his face the whole time we were there on Saturday. I like seeing that. Pia and Mirielle also were smiling all night. We were bringing the mana all night there at the Mai Kai. Well done, ohana. I can't imagine that they could have imagined a better 50th anniversary celebration.
Forbidden Island has now declared war on the Mai Kai. I started it.
Me and Finkdaddy on the beach under a full moon and the coco palms, playing our ukuleles together while the pool party wound down. Actually I hear it didn't really wind down - it more or less exploded from the buildup of energy.
I love my tiki mugs - but even better than that was the fact that I got to have drinks with stuckie and with makedamug within 24 hours of each other.
King Kukulele called the Hukilau a "Tiki Summit" and he, as always, is correct. Even though he subjected his Princess to danger and the gawking eyes of the hoi polloi, Queen Hillary was there to provide safety and sanity to His Majesty and heir.
I think my favorite memory was actually one that most would look back on with regret. While playing on the stage of the Mai Kai - I looked out at the weirdly silent audience filled with the faces of people I love - and it was so overwhelming I forgot what song I was singing and what the next lyric was. I turned to look at Kanekila just to get some grounding... I felt like I was floating or something. Happily, it was a whacky number anyway, Kahiki Moon, so you can get away with some of that kind of thing without throwing the whole performance out. Thankfully, Josh whispered the magic words into my ear and the show continued to a thunderous climax of surf music and frenetic dancing where there was no dance floor. Haole Kats rocked the house that night and brought some serious energy to the late night crowd and then continued to call me from the after parties to make sure I was ok while driving.
I'm sure I'll remember more. That's the beauty of the "edit" button.
Oh yeah, if anyone wants to keep the vibe going, I'll be at Atlanta Trader Vics this Friday night at 8pm.
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professahhummingflowah
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 296
From: honolulu, hawaii & boston, ma
| Posted: 2006-10-09 2:22 pm Permalink
Pablus,
As always, it was good to see you. Thanks for the tiki love. My favorite memories from this year's Hukilau (wow, so many) include (in no particular order -- it'd be so hard to rank these things!):
King Kukulele singing the Hoagy Carmichael monkey song at the JetSetter -- man, that song IS perfect for him!
Tiki carvers out back at the Clipper, carving away...
Crazy Al chipping piece by piece, in time, to the music of Ape.
Those crazy plastic lobsters being used as clappers on Friday night.
Drinking out of coconuts on Friday.
Getting to back Formica Dinette on "Bali Ha`i" ... TWICE ... in just over 24 hours (Mai Kai and Bus trip)
The Joke Butcher! (Bus trip)
Great performances by the Haole Kats, Intoxicators/Disasternauts, I Belli, Billy Mure, APE, Combo Mahalo, and Slip
The Mayor of Exotica EATING MEAT AT THE MAI KAI (after 17+ years of strict vegetarianism)
Ah, so many stories, too many to tell. See yall later, maybe at Okonkuluku U?
Thanks & Aloha!!
_________________
WAITIKI INTERNATIONAL LLC: Advancing Exotica & Tiki for Modern Times
www.WAITIKI.com and also visit The WAITIKI 7
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Tiki Bree
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 05, 2002
Posts: 250 | Posted: 2006-10-09 5:41 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2006-10-09 14:04, pablus wrote:
I think my favorite memory was actually one that most would look back on with regret. While playing on the stage of the Mai Kai - I looked out at the weirdly silent audience filled with the faces of people I love -
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Precious Pablus, you ARE loved!!! We were so happy to see you on stage at the Mai Kai cuddling us with your songs and uke playing. You are the embodiment of Ohana comfort and good vibes.
And THANKS for acknowledging ALL the fabulous ladies for their beautiful attire and goddess like visage. You truly appreciate us gals. (Pablus, you and Tristan should open a school to educate other gentlemen in this rare art...)
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Kailuageoff
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 27, 2002
Posts: 1486
From: Honolulu Lounge,Lewes, DE
| Posted: 2006-10-09 7:27 pm Permalink
Wow, what a great weekend... everything ran so smooth and we had lotsa roooooooom with three hotels and events and activities spread all around. What a special treat it was to stay at the Yankee Clipper where the Polynesian Room was, seeing Bre-elle smim by in her fishtail, Otto mooning the Wreck Bar after the mermaid show, Neptune, Karbora and Sven all asking who was buying what Witco from whom for how much and how to get in on the action, getting a sneak peak at the Tiki Modern book with the author's of Tiki News, Tiki Road Trip and the Grog Log, finally meeting Holden and Hanford, hanging with Mogambo again, having the chance to show a few slides we've collected over the years and being introduced by BigBroTiki as a warm up for Jeff Berry who was getting set to pass drinks all around - man, is this the Hukilau or the Twilight Zone....? Wait, we're sitting with Aunt Bungy listening to Ape play the Molokai Bar, Wayne Coombs is ducking under the fish floats, Neptune Tiki is getting the Mystery Drink treatment, Marian is on stage grabbing some guy's butt, there's Florida's own Pablus on the Mai-Kai stage with King Kukulele and the Haole Kats, and Joe, Josh and TJ tearing it up on vintage surf tunes with Crazy Al dancing on a table.... and Ben..... what happened to his clothes? Flounder? Flounder??? We love you son. A dream couldn't be this good or hilarious. We laughed so hard it hurt.
Mahalo to all, but especially our hostess, host and all of their fantastic helpers. Thanks for a lovely time!
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professahhummingflowah
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 11, 2005
Posts: 296
From: honolulu, hawaii & boston, ma
| Posted: 2006-10-09 11:14 pm Permalink
I've posted my pictures from this year's Hukilau on Flickr.com.
Check out my album here:
http://flickr.com/photos/houseofwong
Thanks everyone for a great time! OKONKULUKU!
_________________
WAITIKI INTERNATIONAL LLC: Advancing Exotica & Tiki for Modern Times
www.WAITIKI.com and also visit The WAITIKI 7
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Jungle Jennifer
Member
Joined: Oct 10, 2006
Posts: 8
From: Jennifer Frazier
| Posted: 2006-10-10 07:56 am Permalink
Mahalo to all for such a wonderful Hukilau--one of the best yet from the 4 we've attended.
Thanks to Pablus, Basement Kahuna, Swanky and the brotherhood for gracing our room Thursday with a GIANT BOWL of CONCUBINES. Yummy. My I Belli boys rocked the house and we met a new friend Pep--gracias mi amigo.
Our APE album looks a lot like James Teetlebaum's book--ratty from loving use, a few burnholes and many cup rings on the page. Hearing and seeing it live took it to another dimension. Nice carving to the beat there Al!! I Belli Di Waikiki were hot as usual, but we missed partying with you in your underwear this year boys. Combo Mahalo rocked out!!!
Saturday night is one we'll never forget. The Mai Kai was more elegant than ever, and more inspiring as we fostered new plans for our own hut at home. WAITIKI--thanks for showing us all how it's done. It's such a pleasure to see musicians enjoy themselves and their fans so much. Mahalo to all you crazies.
But for us, one of the best moments happened after our return to the Cabana. Jungle Jim & I, our friends Coconut Girl and Charlie Tuna, a big stand up bass, acoustic guitar, lots of ukes, some Hawaiian hand drums and much alcohol drew some great players to our porch. Playing with the Haole Cats, Combo Mahalo, some of the Intoxicators and new friends Alan and Bliss was only stopped by the dawn and sleep deprivation. Our souls were willing, but our drunken flesh became weak about 6:30 am. I still lovingly have the bruises on my hands from beating the crap out of those drums. What a night.
What a hukilau. What a great Ohana--we're so proud to be a part of it. Thanks to you all, and come see us in our little grass shack in Dade City, Florida.
_________________
Jungle Jim & Jennifer
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4815
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2006-10-10 08:51 am Permalink
Actually meeting and talking to many dozens of people... I never got to do that before. Good to meet everyone and catch up with the regulars.
Mrs. Boo trying to talk me into jumping in the pool fully clothed with her. I was hiding from Mr. Bamboo Ben actually!
Wondering how Ben, Al, King K, and Tiki Bob had so much energy in the pool when I was tired.
How many were in the pool clothed? 5? 6?
Seeing mugs from the Mai Kai I didn't know were really from the Mai Kai. I got to touch them!
Meeting Tiki Diablo's wife.
Pacifica's coconuts!
Ape and the hatchet man!
Billy Mure and Ape made me teary eyed.
Kreepy Absinthe!
Standing in the ocean with a dozen or so TCers in our underwear.
The gang playing in the room until...5AM? No complaints.
Hot tub rodeo! Having security come by during hot tub rodeo with BK's rum bottle passing around, etc. and no worries.
Mai Kai show brings tears to my eyes.
Pablus starts to play in the Mai Kai and you could hear crickets! Legendary! Otto whispers to me "He's our Bruddah Iz."
Sipping rum with Kern in his ultimate office with Bre, Otto and and seeing Mr. Kukulele actually let alcohol cross his lips!
The conga line passes me and I see Charles Phoenix near the back rather stoic. As he passes, he turns and says calmly, "help me."
Bamboo Ben looks like he may conch out any minute, for 6 hours, then he has more energy than any of us later and the next morning he's up before me and looks better...
Stories about Dad from the Bum.
Sweet tiki history with Geoff. Florida rocks!
Wayne Coombs. Period. If you know him, you know.
Holden, Al and Ben in the Molokai together again. Three amigos!
Seeing my waitress dancing on the Mai Kai stage.
Seeing Mrs. Thornton smiling ear to ear, and Dave Levy spending lots of time having a good time with the ohana. Seeing the smiles on Kulani's face all weekend too.
BK's tiki with the leis on it in the Mai Kai.
Bre-elle. Nuf said...
_________________
Mai-Kai Memories Series Custom ceramic mugs!
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tikibob
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 24, 2002
Posts: 268
From: Charleston, South Carolina
| Posted: 2006-10-10 09:46 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2006-10-10 08:51, Swanky wrote:
Meeting Tiki Diablo's wife.
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Wasn't she a knock out!?! And a great (slightly skewed - like me) sense of humor.
I went with her, Diablo, and Basement Kahuna on a search for bamboo on Thursday afternoon. The bamboo place we were looking for was near a store called "Gay Mart." We got lost and called the bamboo place to ask for more directions. When we explained where we were, the lady thought we said "K-mart!" It was a hoot! We should of taken a picture.
It must have been funny to passers-by to see us tooling around Ft. Lauderdale with a half dozen 10 foot bamboo poles sticking out of their Pontiac rental car.
I really enjoyed getting to know the Diablos on this trip.
What fun!
TB
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The Ragin' Rarotongan
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 26, 2004
Posts: 282
From: Now, Ocala Florida
| Posted: 2006-10-10 2:34 pm Permalink
I really enjoyed meeting everyone that I have talked to, and finally putting a face to all the dozens of names. The vendors were fantastic, and it was really great to see Kreepy Tiki, Chisel Slinger, and finally meet Keigs(whom just made a shelf for me). I finally got to meet Holden of Tiki Farm, and many other very friendly people. This is by far the best Hukilau yet, and I appreiate all of the hard work and effort that went into the event. I am counting the days till Hukilau 2007 in June! See ya there!
Aaron
_________________
"Want a beer?'"...."It's 7:00 in the morning!"...."Scotch?"...."Not during working hours."
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FLOUNDERart
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 02, 2003
Posts: 1140
From: Orlando Florida
| Posted: 2006-10-10 2:57 pm Permalink
I wish I could have been at this event. It sounds like it was a blast!
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pablus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2003
Posts: 2149
From: www.crazedmugs.com
| Posted: 2006-10-10 5:54 pm Permalink
<<<I wish I could have been at this event. It sounds like it was a blast!>>>
How dare you treat our moments together at the wreck bar with such flippancy.
*sob*
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Basement Kahuna
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Posts: 3588
From: Jawja Province, Isle of North America
| Posted: 2006-10-10 11:54 pm Permalink
Man...4 Hukilau and they just get better and better. My memories? A quiet arrival at 1AM Tuesday with a 10 foot panel van after 11 hours of driving...ready for that Cabana. Getting up Wednesday morning and realizing I'd left my clothes in Athens! Puttering around all day Wednesday looking for Aloha shirts in Ft. Liquordale! Kim bailing me out with one from her for sale stash!(Mahalos!) Having a nice, quiet dinner Wednesday at the Mai Kai with TikiBob, Christy, Scott, Stacey and the early arrival crew..Enjoying the hospitality of an incomparable host and good friend Kern Mattei..then being ushered over to the indoor garden by Kern and Pia and Kiliki and Dave Levy afterbeing told they had something to show me...and BOOM realizing what it was they had to show me-the tiki I carved for Miss Thorton standing in the foremost place in the passageway. That was a highlight of my life...a full circle go-round from which I first embarked from my wee little nothing Mono Tiki Tia home lounge on Nanthahala Avenue in Athens back in 1990..I was blown away. Awakening in the morning on Thursday and hectically embarking for the local NBC affiliate station to do a Hukilau segment, and realizing that that guy I had been shooting the bull with in the green room before our time slot was none other than William Katt, the Greatest American Hero himself. Pricelessly cool. Meeting the vendor crew, and meeting up with my brothers from other mothers Diablo and Lakesurfer and the patient, supportive, helpful, and understanding great wives behind the great men. Crash and crew and Lucky Lou's enthusiasm after a 16-hour drive from Texas. Wrapping up the early setup and heading down to the Cabana to hang in Jim and his lovely Wahine's room with Pablus(you, my friend, are the official keeper of the Concubine...it's okay...because I said so..)who saved me some Concs like the irreplaceable buddy he is. Catching up with Sven after (Lord, how long?). Then getting to see the Gen'rl and Humu and the gen-u-wine bona fide behind-the-scenes superwoman known as I Dream Of Tiki and Mr. and Mrs. Lopaka and Otto and Vern and Alice and Bamboo Ben and Al and Josh and Keigs and Heather and Danny and Steph and... Getting up Friday and having a great time meeting the last vendors loading in..'Doin a liddle bidness...Selling practically out of my vintage tiki mugs in an hour! Doing some slightly late carving for the folks with Danny and Keigs and Al and Lakesurfer...nice break. Lakesurfer knocking down some coconuts and Palmetto bugs. Worrying sick about getting all three of my responsibilities for the day in a straight, doable row! Billy Mure and Ape together on stage! Meeting up in our room for one helluva punch mixed by the swami Martiki and Rebecca and then taking that (and 100 proof Nirvana Banana, and Cruzan Single Barrel, and 35 or so of my dearest friends out into 3 or so feet deep (30 yards out!) of the most crystal clear moonlit ocean I've seen to this day to drink drinks and tell tales and live life to the fullest...testing my "hybrid bands"-(Leonard Nemoy Skynrd...Minnie Pearl Jam!) on revund Otto (who I hadn't seen since Trader Vic's 50th!). Hanging with Hanford and Michelle and Alice and Ibelli and the Haole Cats and friends at the big hot tub until lord knows when.. Wrapping up the vendor co-or duties rapid fire (and thus having to bow out of the Beachbum's seminar unfortunately). Keigs selling like platinum those last few hours! Dresses for Crash and Lucky Lou (you wear it well, ladies!). Shirts for moi! Loading the big van and off to the Mai Kai..Me and Nikki enjoying a superb show and having the best company I get every year! Getting meself a plaque to love fer all me own! Sipping 21 year-old Flor De Cania in the office with Ken, Heather, Nikki, Alice, and Denny and his new family. Kern Mattei is a rare quality of a host. I always look forward to seeing you, man. BACK IN THE WATER for the Friday Night crew! Wrapping up with dinner and conversation Sunday with Keigs and Heather...on the beach, with the most gorgeous harvest moon. The list goes on and on. Aloha to all of the Ohana. If I forgot you, I didn't really. I adore you all, and mahalos for years of friendship!
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Basement Kahuna
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Posts: 3588
From: Jawja Province, Isle of North America
| Posted: 2006-10-11 12:50 am Permalink
P.S. Kiliki freaking out and then aceing everything. I think she fakes the freak-out part just to look humble..  The Baby Ruth that I had with me to put in the pool but forgot about. The 144 piece Yankee Doodle fireworks assortment that I also forgot. Jab's great ties. Bruce's great luck. Stephanie and Danny's arrangement "I make the stuff...you sell the stuff"..Getting two Id's from Ken and a sneak preview of ze book from Heather. Lobster Cantonese so good wars have been fought over it (Peking Duck, too!). Holden for the book title. Bungy for the stories. Paul for the live performance of my favorite CD. All of the bands plowing some earth. Brother Swanky in that cabana set. Brother Swanky's help with my booth. Checking out Mojo's fantastic place and carvings (This man has a great collection!!) and then GatorRob's place.
[ This Message was edited by: Basement Kahuna 2006-10-11 21:25 ]
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Haole Kat
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 02, 2004
Posts: 271
From: St Petersburg, FL
| Posted: 2006-10-11 09:52 am Permalink
I don't even know where to start...from the kickoff party on Thursday through the finale at The Jetsetter, I had a fantastic time.
The party on Thursday was a great way to start the weekend. That's definitely one of the most fun gigs I've ever played. During the Surf finale, folks were flying into the pool from all directions - some even went in voluntarily. The energy was awesome and we just kept feeding on it...even after the cops showed up!
The main event was quite memorable...not only did I get to be a fan boy around Billy Mure, but the musical performances were great! From flying woodchips to blue pompadours to horny Chimpanzees, it was a great time!
Friday night after the main event, we hosted a little jam in our room. Ended up playing with the cats from Combo Mahalo, Waitiki and Ape over the course of the evening...in fact, at one point, we had folks from 4 different bands jamming together. The last notes were picked around 5:30 am...just in time to hit Ernestos for a breakfast burrito! Yummy!
I was lucky enough to get a great seat (thanks Pablus!) for the Waitiki and Intoxicators sets back in Tahiti on Saturday. I gotta say, the music lineup this year was first class all the way. Oh yeah, Abe LaGrimas is from another planet or something - truly an admirable musician and improvisor. That guy is on another level.
After an exhilirating and well-received performance with Pablus (love you, bro) at The Mai Kai, we headed back for another night of jamming until 6am. Thanks to Jungle Jim and Jennifer for inviting us over to the balcony....Valerie had a gorgeous vintage Upright Bass that TJ and I passed around for hours while Brian from Combo Mahalo kept pulling out one great tune after another...those cats are the real deal, and nice guys to boot. (Watch for Anthony Locke's name...that guy is multi-talented and his steel playing kicks ass! You'll be hearing about him.)
Sunday at the Jetstter was a fitting finale for the weekend. We did a few early sets, then hung out and enjoyed the madness. Kanekila and I got up to jam with Slip and the Spinouts on some ass-kicking rockabilly. Butch from Cavefish got up and tore it up on some surf tunes. What a blast!
Thanks to all who supported us at our performances and those who bought CD's. We truly hope everyone enjoyed our offerings. We certainly enjoyed ourselves!
Mahalo!
Josh
www.whollycatsband.com
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tikibob
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 24, 2002
Posts: 268
From: Charleston, South Carolina
| Posted: 2006-10-11 12:53 pm Permalink
I had posted this on a different thread so I figured I would move it here:
Well, it is pictures like this that warm the cockles of my heart. We did have a rip-roaring fun time in the congo line with the lobsters!
Thanks to all who participated in the Tiki Bob's Tiki Bobster Fest!
Anybody have any more photos?
TB
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