GROG Moai Mug with Pukao; Manufactured by GROG (Ernie Keen), body pulled from a Duncan mold and altered, pukao hand molded; approx. 8-3/8" tall x 3" wide.

Found at a Goodwill in Arlington, VA.

Gift from my parents. Dad picked it up for me from Beijing Restaurnat in Modesto, California. Found it in my stocking Christmas 2005.

I paused for a bit before purchasing this mug. $4.25 seemed a bit steep, but considering I already had the red and yellow versions, I opted to expand the collection.

Distinguishing Characteristics

small chip on left side

Moai mug by Ernie Keen (aka GROG); dimensions and shape vary slightly as each is hand-built

I've tried to find at least one vintage mug from every city I've lived in so naturally I thought it important to have one from Washington, DC.

I have a crush on this mug's Wahine. Not much more needs to be said.

Distinguishing Characteristics

hairline crack on front

Gift from the owner of the Paradise Club outside of Chicago. A great dive bar with colorful regulars.

Carved coconut mug from "Cocoa Bongos" at the Arlington, VA County Fair. Coconut contains a small plastic cup insert to hold the drink. It was served with a virgin pina colada which I shared with my two kids. Label on the coconut proudly says, "I'm also a bank," but I prefer its use as a mug

Purchased with drink, July 2017.

Alas, I parted with this guy. Reselling him on eBay. I hope he is headed to a better home. Good luck!

This little guy was sitting all by himself next to souvenier mugs from Tucson, AZ and collectable coca-cola glasses. I think he is happier in his new home. Arlington, VA.

Came with a bottle of Kraken Rum I used to make Rum Cake with. Yum.

Served with their house specials, a Kamehameha. A little too sweet for my taste, but it was still a nice respite after a day in the Tucson sun.

Blue version.

Zombie from Test Pilot in Santa Barbara, California.

Found while visiting inlaws Thanksgiving 2008. Price was marked $2.00 but to celebrate the holidays all "curios" were 50% off!

First in a series of Tiki Mugs that I caught in the wild, but decided not to purchase. Still adding to my collection, however. It's the thrill of the hunt!

Distinguishing Characteristics

Caught and Released

Green version.

This was a custom mug made for Minnies in Modesto, California. I received it as a gift from my parents - a bit on the pricy side for a mug, but a fine reminder of my Modesto Tiki youth.

Another Ebay puchase. I was bored late one night and decided it was as good a time as any to buy a mug. I grew up in Modesto, which is near Stockton and felt it was important to have a "home town" mug in my colletion.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Drop of glaze down one side

There were three available at the thrift store I found this guy at. I purchased two and decided to leave the third one behind for another tiki hunter.

Greazefest 2012 Tiki Mug Bone; designed for Greazefest Kustom Kulture event in Brisbane, Australia, by Lori Lee (Robot Productions) and manufactured by Wayne Hoareau (Wild tHing Creations); initial ed. of 100 (50 purple, 50 bone) plus a later ed. of 50 (green); approx. 5.75" tall x 3.25" diameter.

Coffee mug sized with Ku imagery. Purchased in 2011 while looking for an old tape player to play a Curious George audio book for my daughter. Didn't find a tape player, but found the mug!

2018 Update: I sold this little guy on eBay and hope he enjoys his new home.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Lion Country Safari printed on back

Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to visit Hale Tiki. Normally I wouldn't order a mug from an establishment I hadn't visited, but since they were going out of business I wanted to be sure to give the little guy a good home.

Greaserfest #4 tiki mug by FLAP; designed/manufactured by Wim "Flap" Thielemans for the Gasket Blowers' fourth Greaserfest on April 20. 2013 at Rck's Place in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium; ed. of 25 (unnumbered); inscribed "FLAP" on bottom; approx. 7" tall x 3" diameter.

I belive this is the first Tiki mug I ever purchased. I was home visting my parents in the early 1990s and we went to Beijing Restaurant in Modesto, California. They had recently remodeled and were now offering tropical drinks. I was delighted with the mugs and have sought them out ever since.

It was a really cold the day I found this mug. Enjoying the surf of a tropical beach was definitly in order.

Beijing restaurant with parents. Modesto, California.

Spotted in the wild. Adding to my virtual collection, but did not bring him home with me

Got this guy from a thrift store in Arlington, VA.

Grass Skirt Tiki Room (Columbus, Ohio) Handled Skull tiki mug, approx. 4.25" tall x 4.75" wide.

No markings on base. My 2 year old son actually spotted this mug in the thrift store, so by default, it is his first Tiki.

Came with a "Bora Bora Horror" at the Tonga Room in San Francisco, CA. I was there for a conference and had never been to the Tonga Room. My dear friend Jeff Heermann lives in the City and I was thrilled to share the experience with him. The next day, Jeff drew the picture I'm using for my profile and posted it on his webpage to commemorate our night out. Thanks Jeff!

Souvenier from the Tiki Terrace outside of Chicago. June 2009.

Grass Skirt Tiki Room (Columbus, Ohio) Skull Bowl, approx. 5" tall x 5" wide x 7.75" deep.

Three found at a thrift store in Arlington, VA. Let's hope the the other two found good homes. Arlington's a long ways away from Belize.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Belize

From 2008. My 4 year son was having a hard day. We decided to go for a walk and look for Tiki at a thrift store near his abuelo's house. This little guy was placed on a shelf at his eye level and when he spotted it, he beemed with a full smile and yelled, "Look Papi, Tiki!"

Grass Skirt tiki mug; designed by Yelena Stiers, manufactured by Don Drennon for the Grass Skirt Tiki Room in Columbus, Ohio; approx. 5.25" tall x 2.75" diameter; available in blue, green, tan and brown oxide glazes.

One of the few mugs I've purchased on ebay. It was late, I was bored, it was cheap. Generally I avoid ebay purchase - doesn't seem right. It lacks the charm and delight of stumbling upon one of these guys amidst the clutter and detritus of your average thift shop.