Comments on: 1977 Mai Kai Calendar

By: Swank Blather » Mai Kai Okole Maluna Club Menu

Swank Blather » Mai Kai Okole Maluna Club Menu — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 03:20:53 +0000

[...] real answer came during Beachbum Berry’s talk. He had introduced Mai Kai original mixologist, Mariano Licudine’s son to the crowd and had him come up to answer questions. He had been around the Mai Kai since it [...]

By: RickdB

RickdB — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 02:23:05 +0000

I worked at the Mai Kai in the late 70s as a Seating Captain and was fortunate enough to become a friend to Kainoa. Having moved on (to Central Florida) I of course have lost touch with many of the fantastic people that worked there. Through sheer luck on the Web, I found out that Kainoa only dances on occasion with Polynesian Proud. This past Labor Day weekend I took my family to dinner at the Mai Kai and had a wonderful time. I spoke briefly with maitre’d Angel Vega (he taught me the finer points of playing & winning at racquetball back in the day) and my wife found out that Kainoa is also a real estate agent.
Among the changes I noted is that there are now waitresses in the various dining rooms where in the 70s was all waiters. Interesting!

By: Swanky

Swanky — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 23:30:40 +0000

Yeah, it’s that big now. That’s a picture after the 1970s remodel that created the Molokai Lounge. The drink mixers use just a portion during the evening. I have only seen two at a time back there, but my tours have been on slow nights. That space is right in front of you when you are sitting at the bar. I assume this is that same space anyway.

By: How Bowers

How Bowers — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:52:15 +0000

That behind-the-scenes photo of the main service bar is incredible. Is that amount of space still used today, or was the bar busier then?

By: GatorRob

GatorRob — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 22:23:49 +0000

I got the behind-the-scenes tour from Kern a while back and wow, that room where the drinks are prepared is as amazing as that photo shows. I could have hung out in there all evening! Can’t wait to get back there for Hukilau. Thanks for the pic.

By: Humu Kon Tiki » Blog Archive » Mai Kai Calendar from 1977

Humu Kon Tiki » Blog Archive » Mai Kai Calendar from 1977 — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 21:25:53 +0000

[...] Swanky has posted some images from his 1977 Mai Kai calendar on his Swank Blather blog. The Mai Kai produced these calendars for many years, but stopped some time ago. These calendars typically showcase their beautiful, barely-clothed serving wahines, but occasionally depict other scenes of life at the restaurant. The image at left gives a great view of a side dining room, with its cases full of shrunken heads. Another image Swanky has posted gives a rare peek at the brightly-lit, behind-the-scenes area in the Molokai Bar where all the drinks are made. If you ask at the Mai Kai Gift Shop, they can usually scare up a few old calendars for you. [...]

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 22:20:37 +0000

Those were great calendars.