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Mai Kai 50th Anniv. - a look back in pictures! |
tiki_kiliki
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Apr 01, 2002
Posts: 988
From: Hamtown USA
|  Posted: 2006-12-01 09:19 am Permalink
As we approach the official 50th Anniversary date of the Mai Kai - Dec. 28, 1956 - I thought it would be appropriate to share some of the ads, pictures and collectibles that I've had the fortune to scan and archive for the Mai Kai Family. I will also be sharing some of the images from a wonderful new friend of mine, Ron Licudine - the only surviving son of Mariano Licudine, the original mixologist of the Mai Kai. Some of you might have had the opportunity to meet Ron at the 2nd Beachbum Mixology Seminar at Hukilau 2006.
For those of you that are not familiar with Mariano, he was recruited by
Bob and Jack Thornton from Don the Beachcomber in Chicago (where he was 2nd in command) to hold the position of Chief Mixologist upon the opening of the Mai Kai. He was also the inventor of the Derby Daiquiri – a cocktail served at the Mai Kai dedicated and inspired by the Gulfstream Race Track in Hallandale, Florida.
Below is one of the print ads leading up to the opening of the Mai Kai. It’s one of my favorites. Look for a different variation that will appear in Jeff “Beachbum” Berry’s new book coming in June of 2007. Also pictured is Bob Thornton holding a Derby Daiquiri in the old Surfboard Bar at the Mai Kai – one of my favorite pictures from the archives.
I will be sharing a picture from the Mai Kai or a keepsake from Ron’s scrapbook every day up until the anniversary date. Please try to join us for a very special Anniversary Dinner on the 28th at the Mai Kai – just check out my post in Other Events!
Welcome Ron as well – he’s supposed to join and chime in to this post!
Enjoy..
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Yee-Haw & Aloha,
The World of Tiki Kiliki
[ This Message was edited by: tiki_kiliki 2006-12-01 09:19 ]
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GatorRob
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: 1766
From: 3 hrs 33 mins to paradise
| Posted: 2006-12-01 09:31 am Permalink
This is going to be terrific thread! Thanks so much for making these images available Christie. Wish we could be there on the 28th, but we will be away for the holidays. 
EDIT: Do you have the dates for the photos you're going to post? If so, please post the dates too. Thanks!
[ This Message was edited by: GatorRob 2006-12-01 09:33 ]
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martiki
Official Mixologist
Joined: Mar 29, 2002
Posts: 3056
From: http://www.smugglerscovesf.com
| Posted: 2006-12-01 09:44 am Permalink
Great stuff- Bob looks like a secret agent. Thanks for this thread.
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4806
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2006-12-01 10:01 am Permalink
I have this ad from 1956:
And have seen it in another publication from 1957.
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tiki_kiliki
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Apr 01, 2002
Posts: 988
From: Hamtown USA
| Posted: 2006-12-01 11:04 am Permalink
GatorRob - I'm planning to publish a photo or something from the Licudine vault every day until the 28th.
There is so much material that I wasn't able to show at Hukilau due to the space restraints at the Clipper. I just want to share as much as I possibly can because there is SO MUCH that I want everyone to see.
I haven't posted a thread in some time not related to Hukilau and this has really inspired me to dig deeper.
The 3 cannibal tikis in the ad that used to sit atop the Mai Kai sign are actually still in existence and they're close to the Mai Kai at their warehouse - I saw them the week of Hukilau. I'll post a pic of them later...I wanted to badly to have the time to haul them to the Clipper but it was impossible. At least we have something to look forward to next year!
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Yee-Haw & Aloha,
The Hukilau
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tiki_kiliki
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Apr 01, 2002
Posts: 988
From: Hamtown USA
| Posted: 2006-12-01 11:07 am Permalink
Swanky,
There were several variations of the ads in many publications prior to and after the grand opening. Lot's of color palettes as well. I have so many others that I'll be incorporating into my posts.
What publication did your ad come from?
Ron - where did this one come from?
_________________
Yee-Haw & Aloha,
The Hukilau
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4806
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2006-12-01 11:59 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2006-12-01 11:07, tiki_kiliki wrote:
Swanky,
There were several variations of the ads in many publications prior to and after the grand opening. Lot's of color palettes as well. I have so many others that I'll be incorporating into my posts.
What publication did your ad come from?
Ron - where did this one come from?
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It came from the 1956-1957 Fort Lauderdale guest Guide.
_________________
Mai-Kai Memories Series Custom ceramic mugs!
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GatorRob
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: 1766
From: 3 hrs 33 mins to paradise
| Posted: 2006-12-01 1:28 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2006-12-01 11:04, tiki_kiliki wrote:
GatorRob - I'm planning to publish a photo or something from the Licudine vault every day until the 28th.
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Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. I meant, do you know the date each photo was taken? And if so, could you put that date as a caption to each photo when you post it? I'm a real "every photo needs to be tagged with its date" geek. 
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tiki_kiliki
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Apr 01, 2002
Posts: 988
From: Hamtown USA
| Posted: 2006-12-01 1:35 pm Permalink
GatorRob - that's why I want Ron to chime in on the ad. But as far as the dates, the photos that I was allowed to scan were not dated and the family only had guesses. A few of them I'll be able to give you dates and additional information but documenting dates, we will be out of luck for the most part. Sit back and enjoy the images though, they're well worth the trip.....
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Yee-Haw & Aloha,
The Hukilau
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PremEx
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 271
From: Houston, Texas
| Posted: 2006-12-01 1:50 pm Permalink
Wow. Can't wait to see more.
I was really hoping to be able to join some of you at the Mai Kai 50th...as I thought that would make a great "First Tiki Central" event for me. But it just doesn't look like I'll be able to make it.
But...I'll get there sometime!
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MakeDaMug
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 28, 2002
Posts: 1171
From: behind a cluttered desk
| Posted: 2006-12-01 6:02 pm Permalink
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Dr.TikiMojo
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 26, 2006
Posts: 447
From: The Now BANKRUPT - Vallejo, CA
| Posted: 2006-12-01 9:56 pm Permalink
WOW!
I hope the current calenders look like this!
YEOWZA!!! 
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PremEx
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 271
From: Houston, Texas
| Posted: 2006-12-01 11:38 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2006-12-01 21:56, Dr.TikiMojo wrote:
WOW!
I hope the current calenders look like this!
YEOWZA!!!
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Yeah! I think Kainoa (May) is my favorite...but that Pamela (Dec)...oh, man...she looks like she could hurt me!
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Jeff Central
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2002
Posts: 1527
From: Columbus, Ohio
| Posted: 2006-12-02 04:43 am Permalink
WOW!! Beautiful Tiki Eye Candy!!!
Great idea Tiki Kiliki!!!
I sure wish I could attend the party on the 28th but its a long haul from Ohio!!
Cheers and Mahalo,
Jeff
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 4806
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2006-12-02 07:45 am Permalink
I was told they opened on December 26th though. Was there maybe a soft opening and then a grand opeing on the 28th?
[ This Message was edited by: swanky 2006-12-02 07:55 ]
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