The Islands Restaurant was situated in the former Hanalei Hotel, now called the Crowne Plaza. This once-elaborate mid-century Polynesian restaurant was designed by George Nakashima along with Hendrick & Mock Architects, starting in 1964. It had an A-frame entrance from the hotel's courtyard, elaborate water features and lush surrounding landscaping, and was thoroughly and richly decorated inside. The restaurant featured lovely carved railings throughout, large glass float lights, and dramatic clam shell fountains. Some of the tikis here were salvaged from Steve Crane's Luau in Beverly Hills.

Over the years, remodels of the restaurant (and surrounding hotel) gradually stripped the restaurant of its defining features. In November 2006, a six-month renovation of the restaurant began, which removed many of the waterfalls, fountains and other water features, along with nearly all of the tiki artifacts. The end result was a fairly generic hotel restaurant, though some decor in the hallway outside remained intact for some time after.

In the beginning of the Covid pandemic the hotel was contracted by the city to house homeless Covid victims and this restaurant was closed since @2020 to the public. Fences and security were put up and those not registered to stay were turned away. Then, another remodeling was completed and the hotel opened back up in 2024 to show that all traces of Tiki decor had been removed from the premises, save some lava rock on some of the walls and some tiki railings.

So, although you can visit the hotel now, as of 2024, it is essentially finished as a tiki point of interest, save for the memories.

The Crowne Plaza, originally the Hanalei Hotel (built in 1959), was remodeled and expanded just a few years later to include features like flaming Moai and Tikis atop its towers. This 1964-1966 expansion was by Hendrick & Mock, architects.

This hotel was also host to Islands Restaurant and Islands Sushi and Pupu Bar.

The hotel became part of the the Crowne Plaza chain, and was later formally called the Crowne Plaza San Diego. Before becoming a Crowne Plaza hotel, it was a Red Lion hotel, and before that it was a Best Western. The sign for the Hanalei used to be a fantastic example of Googie signage, but tragically, it was replaced with an exceedingly bland sign when "updated" by Best Western. The "Hanalei" name was dropped entirely from use when it became the Crowne Plaza in 2007.

For many years, the Crowne Plaza was able to retain a little bit of its Polynesian feel, including tikis salvaged from Steve Crane's Luau in Beverly Hills. It is a large hotel, and the remaining tiki touches were more scattered than immersive.

In late 2006, the Islands Restaurant was gutted for "renovation", and the amount of tiki to be found here dwindled to near nothingness by 2024.

*This site was a host of the ever-growing Tiki Oasis event (2006-2019) before it moved and was held at San Diego's Paradise Point (2020) and later re-located to San Diego's Town and Country in 2021. From 2001 to 2005 Tiki Oasis was held at the Caliente Tropics in Palm Springs.

In the beginning of the Covid pandemic the hotel was contracted by the city to house homeless Covid victims (and then later, apparently immigrants) and this restaurant was closed since @2020 to the public. Fences and security were put up and those not registered to stay were turned away. Then, another remodeling was completed and the hotel opened back up in 2024 to show that nearly all traces of Tiki decor had been removed from the premises, save some lava rock on some of the walls and some tiki railings.

So, although you can visit the hotel now, as of 2024, it is essentially finished as a tiki point of interest, save for the memories.

*NOTE: House of Buzz (Buzzy Meeker) was able to salvage much of the removed decor and tikis. He sold them through direct sales and through an auction, complete with auction catalog. The catalog could be purchased through his Etsy store. One particularly large and noteworthy tiki (seen below with model) and attributed to Mexican artist Deme Chavez (carved from South American hardwood in the 1950s) stood proudly in the Hanalei garden atrium for decades but now has a new home at False Idol in San Diego.

Opened in 1960. A charming tiki restaurant, where employees and customers alike are treated like family. The Omni Hut's creator, Jim Walls, started the Omni Hut after taking up cooking as a hobby and second job while stationed in Honolulu as a pilot before World War II. The military took him all over the world, and he picked up culinary tricks wherever he went, and it when it came time to retire, he decided to open a restaurant. He chose this location in Smyrna, near Ft. Stuart, and opened a restaurant called "Chinese Cuisine," which soon became the Omni Hut. Walls also owned the nearby Mahi Mahi for a short time. The Omni Hut suffered a fire in 2000, but luckily the restaurant was able to reopen with the decor largely intact.

The Omni Hut did not have a liquor license, but customers were encouraged to spike their own drinks - the Omni Hut had a "Hawaiian Tea" drink that was perfect with a little rum added. They served a Fiery Pu-Pu Platter, and a Volcano ice cream dessert which arrived on fire.

To celebrate 50 years in business, the Omni Hut had two special souvenir mugs created by Tiki Farm.

The Omni Hut closed its doors for good on Friday October 12th, 2018.

The Tropics was purchased by Stephen Crane and renamed The Luau for its opening on July 25th, 1953. This was Crane's original restaurant; after the success of the Luau, he eventually went on to open the popular Kon-Tiki chain of Polynesian restaurants.

Steve Crane's Luau was one of the Hollywood/Beverly Hills restaurants (along with Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic's) that established Polynesian cuisine (and more importantly drinks) as de rigueur in the 1950s and '60s. The Luau produced some of the most beautiful and highly desired serveware objects (designed by Gabe Florian) to come out of midcentury Polynesian restaurants.

The Luau was demolished in 1979 to make space for a Rodeo Drive shopping complex.

There is no connection between this historic restaurant and a newer restaurant that briefly operated with the same name in Beverly Hills.

Originally called the Waikiki Lounge & Supper Club.

The Green Turtle Restaurant was part of the Hawaiian Inn resort complex. Teauila's (pronounced like "tequila" would sound if the q was silent) Hawaiian Luau Dinner Show took place here four nights a week. The dinner show was a package deal, including the entertainment and a Chinese-food buffet; tropical drinks were extra.

The room featured lamps from Oceanic Arts, and a very heavy use of black-light. The show itself featured a full band, male and female hula dancers, and included a dramatic use of fire. A handful of male visitors were selected from the audience to try their hand at hula-ing on stage while wearing a coconut bra and grass skirt.

NOTE: This restaurant was closed as of 2017, although the Hawaiian Inn Resort still hosts a Hawaiian Luau Dinner Show in this space, but you should check for scheduling.

Just up the street you can find the Aku Tiki Inn and Traders Restaurant.

The Oriental Luau was originally opened in 1965 as “Tiki” by none other than Bob Gaudio, part of the famous group “The Four Seasons”.

Soon after, in the late 1960s or early 70s, “Tiki” became “The Oriental Luau”, most likely with a new owner, and it lasted until almost 1995. It retained much of its previous decor but with the addition of a floor to ceiling waterfall feature in one room.

This bar/restaurant opened in the beginning of 2022 in the site of the former Kona Kai Tiki Lounge (which ran @2013-2016?).

It is set in an unassuming strip mall, but the interior space is quite large, with plenty of seating to accommodate live music and other events which the hosts schedule regularly (as you can see through their social networks).

From the Pau Hana Lounge website:

"Pau Hana Lounge is your prime bar destination for authentic Hawaiian food with the freshest, premium ingredients and traditional, regional recipes. Located in Wood Dale, IL, our Hawaiian restaurant is proud to provide quality service, delicious food, and a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Our goal is to make sure that you have a memorable dining and drinking experience at our cocktail bar with your companions.

At Pau Hana Lounge, our bar and grill restaurant specializes in a wide range of Hawaiian cuisine made with fresh ingredients and expert techniques. In addition, we have a cocktail lounge and karaoke bar that offers premium drinks, live music, and even tarot readings for quality entertainment that you are sure to enjoy!"

The interior decor is a bit swallowed up by the space, but they have added some bamboo and thatching around the bar and some smaller tiki masks and other elements. The vast ceiling is broken up with some netting and lights but could use some swag lamps and maybe even an outrigger canoe. As with all tiki bars, they can certainly add more carvings, floats, lights, and art as time and budget permits.

This restaurant took over the space previously occupied by Les Sablons and has been slowly rolling open since late December 2021, starting with the upstairs tiki bar. The downstairs section, which is focusing on affordable Hong Kong deli-style rice plates to start, debuted February 1, 2022 in time to ring in the Lunar New Year.

From the Wusong Road Website:

"Hidden away in the historic 100 year old Conductors Building on the outskirts of Harvard Square. Wusong Road is named after the first Conductors building located in Wusong China. Located in the outskirts of Harvard Square, Wusong Road tells the culinary love story about classical Asian American cuisine and tropical Tiki escapism that was central to Cambridge Massachusetts. With food crafted by Chef owner Jason Doo, guest experience by owner Kaila Fong and our beverage program by Justin Crooks and Charlie 'Rocco' Napoli, we hope you will join us for an escape from the hustle and bustle of Cambridge city life.

The team behind Wusong Road (Jason Doo, Thomas Brush, Kaila Fong, and Charlie Napoli) renovated the abandoned conductors building during the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020. The conductors building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 27, 1988.

The team behind Wusong Road with the help of architects Analogue Studio, master craftsman Thomas Morgan (Morgan Construction) and Frank Simotics (Tiki Rancher) beautifully converted the once French Restaurant interior and converted the second story into a tropical Tiki escape."

Kona Lei opened on March 27th, 2013.

Miguel Escobedo (Señor Castaway) and his partner, Eduardo, opened this bar at what was previously Bar Hernán Cortés.

Kona Lei appears to have closed around 2015.

Miguel went on to open the Tiki Chateau in Madrid, which closed December 1st, 2022.

As of 2021, the location of Kona Lei is now home to La Hummuseria, a vegan restaurant.

Opened December 2016.

From their website:

"Kawenzmann means in sailor slang "Monsterwelle" (Monster Wave) and thus alludes to the origins of the Tiki culture of the ancient seafaring peoples of Polynesia. For us, Tiki means one thing above all else: exotic, completely casual and also a little ironic bar and drinking culture - so don't be too serious. In addition to iconic Tiki drinks, our own cocktail creations and some Colada variants, we also serve you over 60 types of rum from all over the world to enjoy."

This huge A-Frame store carried all sorts of exotic goods, including gifts, sportswear, and gourmet food from all over the globe. Appears to have been built circa 1958 or so.

It had barefoot footprints leading up the concrete walk to the front door, a statue of the trader himself on the roofline below the peak of the A-frame, and in the front was a large Moai head with a lit torch at the top.

Mentioned in the book, Tiki Pop, by Sven Kirsten -- page 102 -- as having multiple locations but this one appears to be the most recognized. One other location was in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Copy from one of their ads:

"Seeing is believing! But when you step into the Polynesian Paradise you won’t believe your eyes. You’ll find a treasure of gifts, food delicacies and sportswear that have been collected from the wide, wide world all set in exotic design.

The store is sectionalized according to the country of origin of the merchandise. From Norway, Sweden and Denmark come striking examples of modern Scandinavian. The continental flavor of Belgium, Holland, France and Germany is found in the gift selections from Europe. Who can resist the incomparable results of British industry or the artistry from the shores of the sun-drenched Mediterranean, South America, South Sea Isles, Oriental art, or the United States?

Outside the building is a playground with swings and acrobatic accoutrements to keep youngsters occupied while parents explore the store. Children, however are invited inside. Inside the Polynesian theme is carried out. Palm trees and fronds adorn the walls, while fixtures reinforce the South Seas decor. Self-service is invited—or if you wish service, you need only to call on any of the clerks who answer all questions. Be sure and don’t leave the Cape until you have visited the Barefoot Trader."

Today, the A-frame building still exists, but it is currently home to the Cape Abilities Thrift Shop.

The Inferno Room opened September 11, 2018 in the Fountain Square neighborhood of Indianapolis, in a building that previously held a Marion County courthouse. This is the creation of longtime tiki devotee Ed Rudisell, in partnership with his wife Sasatorn Rudisell and Chris Coy. The trio have a number of successful restaurants in the Indianapolis area. Rudisell aims to bring his passion for authentic mid-century Tiki to the city.

The drink menu and food menu pay strong tribute to classic Polynesian restaurant menus, executed with quality in mind. Youll find classics from Don the Beachcomber, Trader Vic, and Indianas own Stephen Crane alongside contemporary tiki concoctions from their own Infernal Tribe.

The decor plays to the sense of danger and mystery in tiki, with a particular emphasis on fire. Rudisell took his time with the build-out, to ensure he could bring together the immersive space he desired.

Papua New Guinea artwork is especially featured, with many vintage and many newer pieces on display. Milwaukee artist Dave Hansen of Lake Tiki Woodcrafts (also known as Lake Surfer) hand-carved much of the new art, including the giant PNG mask overlooking the first floor.