Kona Kai - Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Opened @ 1973.

Located in the O'Hare Marriott, the Kona Kai had seating for 456 in the dining area, plus 127 in a multilevel cocktail lounge. Despite its size, the dining area was broken up in a way that achieved a warm and comfortable and relaxing air for diners, a mood set by a hospitable maitre d' and pretty hostesses. There was no feeling of being crowded.

Tables were well-spaced for privacy. South Sea Island props were in abundance -- hand carved outriggers, tiki gods, clam shell and fish float fixtures diffusing soft lighting, polished wood tables with straw mats, a high waterfall dripping down among artificial tropical trees and plants and foot bridges spanning streams of water.

The doors to the Kona Kai closed in 1998, but until 2011 it was still there. For a short time after 1998, the Mai Tai Lounge continued to operate, but it is now closed, too.

During its time in shuttered state, the Marriott periodically rented it out for events, such as the Exotica tour in 2003. In 2011, the room was finally repurposed, and the contents were purchased by The Banana Hut in Eureka, WA. The Banana Hut subsequently closed and put the interior decor up for sale -- much of which was originally sourced from Oceanic Arts.

This used to be part of a larger chain of Kona Kai restaurants, with other locations in Philadelphia and Kansas City.