Hukilau Mai-Kai History Presentation
June 9th, in support of my recently released book on the history of the greatest Tiki bar on earth, the Mai-Kai, I will once again be giving a presentation at Read More …
Author: Swanky
Smuggler’s Cove Is All In
Smuggler’s Cove surprised me in several ways. Martin had contacted me a few times over the past few years mainly about Mai-Kai and Don the Beachcomber history. Martin’s history is Read More …
This Week Miami 1959
While collecting way too many things related to the Mai-Kai as part of my book research, I bought this great 1959 weekly tourist magazine for the Mai-Kai ad. I got Read More …
Explore the inside of the Mai-Kai in 3-D
Through Google maps you can now wander inside the Mai-Kai and the gardens in 3-D. Click here.
Tennessee Tiki History Page
I started this page years ago and forgot about it. Just started fleshing it out further and published it this morning. A work in progress, but a start. Tennessee Tiki Read More …
Mai-Kai Book Available for Pre-Order
My Mai-Kai history book just appeared on the Barnes and Noble website for pre-order. Coming soon to Amazon. Please pre-order and make your voice heard with the publisher to give Read More …
Mai-Kai Sign 1961 in Color.
Rare color image the Mai-Kai “hut” sign designed and built by Dave Stevens. Chicagoans Dave and his brother made a wide variety of custom items for the Mai-Kai, from spotlight Read More …
Knoxville Then and Now Mt. Vernon Motel
Known today as Futon World, it was the Mount Vernon Motel long before. Now it is wiped from the face of the earth. Wonder if it will still be known as Read More …
Knoxville Then & Now – Westwood Motel Kingston Pike
 I have been meaning to add this motel on Kingston Pike for a long time. We dropped in to try Archer’s BBQ and so I took some pictures and added Read More …
Mai-Kai: History, Mystery and Adventure – The Book
I have been researching the Mai-Kai in one form or another for over 12 years. I have been seriously looking into its history and people for a long time to Read More …
Crazy Al Creates New Mai-Kai Memories Series Molokai Maiden
Only the mastery of Crazy Al could recreate this amazing carving from the Mai-Kai. The latest piece in the Mai-Kai Memories Series is the Molokai Maiden. An unreal smaller version Read More …
Hukilau 2003 Video
This goes back to when the Tiki scene was young. At the request of the Florida Ohana who came to Hukilau 2002 in Atlanta, and with the huge efforts of Read More …
Help During the Lime Crisis of 2014
Due to the great Lime Crisis of 2014, we are forced to re-evaluate options. In the past I have endorsed Nellie’s Key Lime juice as a back-up when fresh lime Read More …
1968 Mai-Kai Calendar
1968 Mai-Kai Calendar Just added, thanks to a loan from a fan of the site, the 1968 Mai-Kai calendar!
PBS Documentary Plastic Paradise Airs nationwide
I helped these guys quite a bit on this documentary. Sven Kirsten endorsed them heartily, so I threw my support their way as well. I appear in the documentary along Read More …