From Trader Vic's Portland

Small plate marked "Trader Vic"

Distinguishing Characteristics

small plate

Thanks, John-O!

Thanks, John-O!

Had to purchase with a drink, so I had a $12 Zambezi Sour, which was pretty good and sounded better than the Piranha Pool cocktail. With tax and tip this mug was about $45 and $15 more than those that bought it for the opening release paid to get just the mug. I enjoyed the drink, though. They made the Zambezi with Woodford's. I think at home I might sub a stronger overproof bourbon like Old Forester 1920 and use Maggie's Farm Falernum and see what it tastes like then.

Yellow glaze. Daga style like bottom of page 28 in Book of Tiki, except made for Trader Pang's. Says "Trader Pang's" on back.

Bought at the August 2nd 2008 Tonga Hut Art Show. Card explains this mug is Bowat on Uwat River style. It has several purposeful "cracks" on front and back and is glazed in a simple black on off-white style.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Regional Style: Bowat on Uwat River

I have three of these.

I have two of these. One bought for $10 at the bar and one I picked up much later at Goodwill for $3.

A nine-inch-tall light tan Moai mug with dark brown detailing and white interior. This mug was released at the Tonga Hut Tiki Wonderland party on December 11th, 2010. This is the Tonga Hut's first personalized Tiki mug in its long long history. It was sculpted by Kirby and manufactured by both Kirby and Grog. The original Big Mo is the Moai carving just within the front door of the Tonga Hut. The mug is a faithful replica. The back of the mug reads "Tonga Hut" in vertical letters and gives the opening date of the bar, "1958." The bottom is inscribed with "2010 Kirby & Grog." First run was limited to 25 mugs for the premiere and each was hand numbered in black marker on bottom. Signed and numbered card included. * I picked number nine because it is noticeably heavier than the other ones in this run. Looks just the same, though. An early photo of mine of this mug with Hawaiian backdrop was featured in the Spring 2011 feature article on Kirby's work in Tiki Magazine.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Tonga Hut Big Mo Limited Edition

Tommy Bahama has produced this highly detailed series of wahine mugs, one each year. This mug has a light green background and the wahine is dressed in a grass skirt and a pink bikini top. The word "RELAX" is printed in large floating letters next to the wahine. By her feet are a ukelele and a bongo drum. The bottom of the mug reads "Bikini Bongo".

Distinguishing Characteristics

Tommy Bahama Wahine Mug 2007

This one depicts the hula girl riding a swordfish.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Tommy Bahama Wahine Mug 2006

This is the hard one to find for some reason.

Tommy Bahama has produced a highly detailed series of wahine mugs, one each year. This lamp is made from a larger version of the first Tommy Bahama mug that came out in 2002, "Kimono Lady". It has an off-white background, and the wahine is dressed in a pink dress with white flowers. The bottom is labeled "Paradise Lady Lamp".

Distinguishing Characteristics

Tommy Bahama Mug Lamp

I have three of these. I suspect they came from a set of four. They were $3.00 each at the thrift store.

This is a Toby design but is not marked as such. It has "Hawaii" inscribed on the bottom and is a very light ceramic piece. Yellow and brown.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Toby Mug (lookalike?)

Distinguishing Characteristics

More Green than Red

Bought from a collection being sold through Oceanic Arts.

This Tiki mug is from Toby Designs. It is a Moai glazed in a greenish-brown glaze seen in several Toby Design mugs. Marked "Toby Designs Made In USA" on bottom in a cursive script. Measures four and a half inches tall.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Toby Designs Greenish Brown Moai Mug

The second mug to be put out by the Tikiyaki Orchestra. It resembles a Tahitian drum pictured on the cover of their second CD release (June 2009). Part of a "Jungle Jet Pack" that included a flight bag, a pendant by Kirby, and several other goodies. Limited to a hundred and sold out FAST. This mug is not only a very cool sculpt by Squid, it is definitely one of my favorites!

Distinguishing Characteristics

Tikiyaki Orchestra Jungle Jetset Tahitian Drum Mug

From Tikis & Terrors art show at Bahooka Restaurant September 16, 2006. Green mugs came in individual crates and had enamel painted eyes and skull. These were limited to 50.

From Tikis & Terrors art show at Bahooka Restaurant September 16, 2006. The brown mugs were limited to 150.

I had my friend Aaron pick it up for me and paid him the $60 for the hassle above and beyond the $75 original cost. It was worth it!