Tiki Bars
Kon Tiki - Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana, United States (Closed)
The Kon Tiki in Shreveport was opened in 1970 by Check Wing Joe, who operated it until it closed after 38 years of business, in August 2008.
The location is now Trejo's Mexican Restaurant.
Leilani Village
Brookfield, Wisconsin, United States (Closed)
The Leilani Village Motel opened in November 1962.
Leilani Village was also known as Giles' Leilani and as Harold's Leilani Motel; it had 60 rooms, a restaurant, called the Leilani Supper Club, and a bar, called the Malahini Lounge.
When the Leilani was at its peak, it brought in performances by major singers of the day, including Vic Damone, Al Martino, Frankie Laine and Buddy Greco.
It was demolished in 1996 and a big two-story commercial building now stands on this site that has served as a computer store and a furniture gallery and is now available for lease as of 2021.
Tiki Joe's Wet Bar
Kirkland, Washington, United States (Closed)
Opened in 2002 (even though later signage says they were "established in 2004").
Tiki sports bar in Kirkland, just down the street from Mambo. It was a hodge-podge of Polynesian tiki & Margaritaville tiki, with some mod-Shag thrown in. Had karaoke nights, loud music, and TVs. Drinks were available in tiki mugs for regular customers.
Closed in 2015.
Mambo
Kirkland, Washington, United States (Closed)
Opened in 1995. This was a vintage collectibles/antiques store, with a very heavy emphasis on tiki thanks to the owner, tiki old-timer Paul Hupp. Paul had several elaborately carved posts in the shop, salvaged from the Trader Vic's in Seattle.
Mambo appears to have gone out of business some time in 2004. No word yet on what became of the Trader Vic's poles.
Newport Yacht Club
Bellevue, Washington, United States
The Newport Yacht Club isn't remotely tiki -- but it does have a pretty righteous tiki out front. This monster tiki stands about 12' high, and used to be in the backyard of someone who lived nearby. It was later donated to the neighborhood, and stands proudly on the lawn in front of the yacht club, guarding the tennis courts. The tiki was carved out of what must have been one very large piece of wood; when viewed from the back, it appears it may have been carved from just one portion of a massive trunk. Markings at the base indicated that it was carved by "E. Marcus Westby, Lilliwaup, Washington, 1968." A bronze plaque at the base indicates it was donated by the David Bauer family.
Hawaiian Gardens Resort
Holly, Michigan, United States (Closed)
Hawaiian Gardens Resort was a large complex on the shores of Oahu Lake in Holly, Michigan. It was created by Fred and Jane Barton, who were inspired by their travels to Hawaii and New Zealand. Both Hawaiian and Maori imagery were used throughout the resort.
The resort had some dramatic and very modern shapes, including a geodesic dome and irregular angles, plus some A-frame structures. The entrance featured a stylized outrigger canoe full of rowers, and several Barney West-style moais on top. The architect was James H. Livingston Associates.
Aside from hotel rooms, the complex had several restaurants and lounges. The Huki Lau Restaurant "tried to capture the true effect of Polynesia," per the restaurant's menu. The Polynesian Longhouse had full table service and advertised "individually cooked" meals. The Kahili Room served buffet-style food inside the geodesic dome and was available for private rentals. Waitoma Grotto Lounge had rock walls, and "glow worms" in the ceiling, inspired by a visit to an actual glow worm infested grotto cave in New Zealand. The Banyan Court had lots of tropical plants, and windows overlooking Lake Oahu. The Banyan Court itself contained three sub-rooms: the Tahitian Room, Samoan Room, and Hawaiian Room, plus the Monu Chief House, with a 50-foot high skylight.
At some point the resort closed, and the buildings were used as a rehab facility. The buildings were bulldozed sometime in the mid-2000s.
There is a "Hawaiian Gardens" mobile home park on the other side of Lake Oahu, with Hawaiian street names. It is unclear what relationship existed, if any, with the former resort.
Lakanuki
Mammoth Lakes, California, United States
Lakanuki opened in 2003 in the ski resort town of Mammoth Lakes, in the Village. The decor is a sort of modern surf-tiki mix, with thatch over the bar and mural-size artwork on the walls. There are front and side patios, and an interior dining area.
Hukilau - San Jose
San Jose, California, United States
Modern Hawaiian restaurant. Opened @ 2005.
There was another slightly older Hukilau in San Francisco, but it has closed.
Hukilau - San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States (Closed)
Hukilau was more modern-Hawaiian than retro-Poly Pop. They opened @ 2004 and closed in 2012.
There is another Hukilau in San Jose.
Spa Tiki
San Diego, California, United States (Closed)
Spa Tiki was a large full-service spa. The spa took up two floors, and had tikis by Bosko sprinkled throughout the place. It felt very much like a modern, upscale spa, with relaxing music and dim lighting. There was a shop near the front counter with beauty supplies and soaps with a Hawaiian bent.
The investors in Spa Tiki were also investors in nearby Mister Tiki's Mai Tai Lounge. Spa Tiki opened in 2003, and closed in late 2009.
The Islander - Seattle
Seattle, Washington, United States (Closed)
Opened in 2003, this restaurant focused more on vintage Hawaiiana than a true tiki bar experience, and felt airy, elegant and upscale.
In 2008, owner Thoa Nguyen changed the concept from Hawaiian to Vietnamese, and it became Thoa's Restaurant and Lounge.
From August 2018 onward, this location appears to be corporate office space.
Trade Winds - Oxnard
Oxnard, California, United States (Closed)
Trade Winds was erected by developer Martin "Bud" Smith, and opened March 4th, 1964. It quickly became the hot place to be in town.
The restaurant had a lagoon leading up to a soaring A-frame entrance; inside were a series of themed rooms, including a central gazebo-shaped structure, the Samoa Hut/Tiki Temple. The predominant theme was Polynesian, but some of the rooms included an East Indies room, a Sadie Thompson room, and a Zanzibar room, all designed by 20th Century Fox designer Fred Moninger, and decorated by Ione Keenan. There were many tikis, carved by Richard M. Ellis. There was a Polynesian floor show.
Some time in the 1960s, Hop Louie (of Latitude 20 in Torrance, Minnie's in Modesto and the Islander in Stockton) took over the restaurant. In the late '70s, it became a Don the Beachcomber.
In later years, it became Coconut Joe's Warehouse Restaurant, and then later still around 1981, it became Hawaiian Cowboy (some of the decor was removed to make room for a mechanical bull and a BBQ pit. About a year later, it became an ice cream parlor, and in 1984, the building was demolished. The site is now a road.