The Hawaiian Islands are known for their beautiful sandy beaches, warm, tropical weather, and relaxing atmosphere. If you venture out of your hotel and off the beaches, you may also get a chance to see some of the unique flora and fauna that calls Hawaii home. Besides the sandy beaches, Hawaii is also home to at least one volcano on each island, as well as rainforests and a whole range of other environments where unique plants and creatures may be seen.

In the waters around the Hawaiian islands, you may see dolphins, monk seals, and turtles. Snorkeling is a great way to see brightly colored fish and other sealife. You will occasionally see jellyfish on the beaches, especially in Oahu. They generally show up a week or 10 days after a full moon, for the purpose of mating. Keep an eye out for them, because they can sting you.

Away from the beach, look for butterflies, birds, and other small creatures. The State Bird is the nene, which can only be found in Hawaii and is related to the Canadian Goose. Although it nearly reached extinction in the 1960s and 1970s, today there are about 1300 nene birds, mainly on the Big Island and in Kauai.

You may see geckos, small lizard-like creatures, scaling the walls of your hotel or other buildings throughout Hawaii. These small creatures may seem like pets, but actually they eat other bugs, and in Hawaii, it is considered a sign of good luck to have geckos in your home. Another creature you may see as a pest is the cane spider, a large brown spider that eats other bugs and does not spin webs. It is considered bad luck to kill a cane spider.

The only two mammals that are native in Hawaii are the small hoary bat and the Hawaiian monk seal. Today there are many different types of mammals on Hawaii, but these have all been brought over from other locations. There are also no snake species native to Hawaii.

The flora seen in the rainforests of Hawaii include angel’s trumpets, heart-shaped antherims, orange and blue birds of paradise, ginger flowers, hibiscus, plumeria, and orchids. The traditional flower lei is usually made of plumerias or orchids, though they can also be made of puakinikini, a particularly fragrant flower found in Hawaii.

Other flora includes abundant fruit trees in many different varieties, such as avocado, banana, breadfruit, mango, papaya, and macadamia. Lychees, which look like grapes with a hard outer coat, are a prized fruit that grows wild throughout the islands.

Many different examples of flora and fauna are seen only in Hawaii, and nowhere else in the world. These include the Koa Tree, found at higher elevation and prized for its hard wood. Koa wood was traditionally used for canoes, but today can be found in the form of bowls, furniture, and other items.

If you look around the islands, you’ll surely be dazzled by the array of flora and fauna seen throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Next Tiki mug to arrive in my collection today was the lovely Tommy Bahama Kimono Lady 2002. Not strictly a "Tiki mug" I suppose, but I love the Hawaiian theme of this collection and hope to get more of the one-per-year Tommy Bahama mugs.

I also started listing my new collection on Ooga-Mooga, a great site for listing your Tiki mugs, and creating a wishlist of ones that you want. If another member puts one up for sale that is on your list you get notified. Very cool, and although I suspect I won't get any bargains that way (unlike buying from estate sales or ebay even) it's a great way to quickly find rare gems.

View my collection on Ooga-Mooga

A luau is a Hawaiian feast. You may have been to a luau party here on the mainland, or visited a luau on your recent vacation to Hawaii. This meal and party often features traditional Hawaiian food, including poi and salmon, and is often known for the kalua pig, which has been roasted in earth for at least a day prior to the festivities. Luaus are also known for the entertainment, including Hawaiian music and hula dancing.

Today, luaus are often synonymous with parties for those from Hawaii, so you may see graduation luaus, birthday luaus, or even wedding luaus. However, the concept of a luau is actually quite old, and originally it meant a very specific type of celebration.

The name ‘Luau’ dates back to the mid-nineteenth century. Before that, this type of party was called a paina or ahaaina. The name ‘luau’ originated from a type of food traditionally served at a luau celebration: young taro (a type of tuber plant) tops, baked with coconut milk and served with octopus or chicken.

Luau parties originated because in centuries ago, men and women ate separately, and commoners and women were forbidden by ancient Hawaiian customs from eating certain foods, considered delicacies. In 1819, however, King Kamehameha II abolished this practice. In a symbolic feast, the King ate with women. The luau was born out of this feast. These original luaus were quite large affairs, often with hundreds of guests. In fact, some luaus thrown by the King had visitors eating in shifts because there were hundreds invited to these gatherings.

Traditional luau feasts are eaten on the floor, while sitting on special mats. Foods included sweet potatoes, dried fish, and other dried foods laid directly on leaves. Another traditional luau food in these early decades was poi. Poi is a staple of the Hawaiian diet to this day, and it is made from taro root that has been pounded into a thick paste. All of these items were eaten with the fingers; no utensils were used.

Today, ‘luau’ parties are often simply Hawaiian themed. They may lack the traditional taro tops or kalua pig, and range drastically in their adherence to luau traditions. In fact, most are not considered luaus by purists or many who were raised on the islands, although they can be a fun way to bring a little island spirit to your summer parties.

Today, there are many commercial luaus put on just for tourists. In Hawaii, these are held weekly at the most popular hotels. Often they are held outdoors on the hotel grounds. These outdoor parties often sell crafts, souvenirs, and photos to tourists. Like luau parties you may stage in your backyard, these vary greatly in their style and adherence to the luau tradition, because they are geared towards the tourist market. They often include Hawaiian or Polynesian dancing; during many luaus, hula dancers may teach visitors how to dance a simple hula dance. Such luaus can be found all over the islands, and are often seen in brochures or other tourist-aimed publications.

I'd like to build a small-ish collection of nice vintage Tiki items, especially from old Tiki restaurants. So if you have anything please let me know.

I rummaged on ebay last night and found a couple of things and was lucky enough to buy them both. I'm still watching a few more that close later this week.

Here's my first purchase. I love this - no idea how old it is, but it certainly appears old from the crazed glaze in the closeups (not shown here). It's flying its way here now!

It was described as a "Rare VTG Retro Yellow Easter Island Tiki Vase/Planter":

"This vintage retro Easter Island Vase/Planter is in good condition. A happy, sunny bright yellow with a high gloss finish. It measures approximately 7" tall and 3 1/2" deep. Being old, it shows its age, and that is part of it's tremendous appeal. It is lightly crazed on the exterior, and deeply crazed on the interior. It has a tiny chip (very minor) on the lip as shown in the second photo."

Hey, my wife and I are visiting Northern California for 4 days at the end of August, leaving the kids with visiting grand-parents for a little break to our favorite area on the mainland.

So, I was thinking, where is the best Tiki-themed restaurant in or around San Francisco? We'll be driving the whole area, from Carmel up to Napa and inland to Sacremento, so it can be anyway in that area.

I'm thinking of The Tonga Room - any locals care to share better places to go?

Answers below please!

Here's an interesting call I had with a potential customer today. He called to ask;

"Your photos look great on your site, but do they really look like this, or are they photos of Tikis that have had a little more care and effort put into them?"

Which is a great question really. After all, I know some people are still quite nervous about shopping online. I've been to web sites myself where I take one look and say "no thanks". I'm sure you've seen them too, some sites just look a little too amateurish. If the website looks like it cost $100 to make, I'll keep my credit card in my wallet thank you!

Back to the point.

I've seen some pretty nasty Tikis in my time - they are made in Bali for $2 and look like they are worth every penny! It may be possible to take some nice photos of those from far enough away, I'm not sure. But we have our Tikis photographed professionally.

Here's an example, a Tiki totem that I bought myself out of our Hawaiian warehouse recently. In a lot of ways, it was a good test. I hadn't seen the actual Tiki before, hadn't hand-picked it, and I ordered it shipped just like any other order that day.

This is the largest photograph of the Tiki that we have on our site. Looks good, right? Made from Natural Acacia, it's the highest quality wood you can get your Tikis made from. (read more about this)

And here is my actual Tiki after it was taken from the box (and great packaging I have to say). I'm sure you'll agree that even though these two photographs were taken more than a year apart, my Tiki is as good or better than the original subject.

And here is a closer look at the detail:

I'm very pleased with it, and add our 100% money-back guarantee to the table and you have nothing to worry about! That's brings up a great point - did you know that..

...NO-ONE has EVER returned one of our Tikis?

Nautical themes are very popular right now, especially for living room or bedroom décor. When you’re planning to use a nautical theme, the first thing you should do is paint the walls blue, like the water. Depending on your tastes you can use anything from very pale blue to bright or dark blue; any shade of blue will work with a nautical theme. When decorating your nautical themed living room or bedroom, consider scenes you may encounter when walking along a boardwalk or at a marina, and use those as your inspiration.

Nautical décor should include elements that you would find on a boat. Natural ropes, netting, accents in bright red and white, and a porthole motif can all be easy ways to tie everything together. You can also add a few flags tied to the tallest piece of furniture in the room, or use wooden flags that can be hung around the top of the walls all the way around your room. If you have wood paneling, don’t cover it up; wood paneling on interior walls can remind you of the interior cabin on a ship or inside a beach house.

For the walls and windows, canvas is a traditional material that is very popular in nautical décor. It can be used for curtains, dust ruffles for the bed, and other details. Canvas curtains hung with the use of large eyelets are a classic piece of nautical décor. You can even recycle an old sail, if you have access to one. The canvas can also be used to cover cushions or throw pillows.

Use natural wood furniture or paint your furniture white or cream, possibly with a distressed look, to make it fit in with your nautical décor. The paint should not be shiny or new-looking; it should look as if the furniture has had years of use on the beach or out to sea. If you’re choosing a whole new set of furniture to go with the nautical look, go for those that look like they belong in a beach cabin, including Adirondack chairs and wooden furniture. If you want to get creative with the furniture, you can even use a hammock for a chair or bed to represent a fishing net. Boat shaped beds are also a possibility. If you choose to stay with a regular bed, use blue and white bedding with red accents. These are the traditional “nautical” colors.

As for as decorations are concerned, paddles and oars are an appropriate touch for any nautical-themed room. Pictures of sailing boats or other nautical or beach themes can be a great way to provide a centerpiece in the room. Model sailboats, lighthouses, anchors, ship wheels, life rings, and vintage glass fishing floats can bring a nautical style to the walls, bookshelves, and tables in the room.

When done right, a nautical themed room is unique and inviting. It should instantly remind you of the seaside. If you want your room to be more relaxing than exciting, choose a color scheme consisting of white, khaki, and any shade of blue. Adding a pop of red or yellow can add excitement to the room.

My wife Tara confessed that she didn't know what to get me for Father's Day this year (aren't the kids supposed to buy me a present? hahahaha) - but would I like a nice Tiki?

Well, actually, I would! It may seem strange, but I haven't bought myself many of our really nice Tikis - some masks but never a nice Acacia Tiki Totem.

So, I browsed around and picked my favorite (actually my second favorite, I've always wanted a particular Tiki Statue but it went out of stock last week), and Tara ordered it - the last one it turns out.

So, here it is - but of course it's out of stock so you can't buy one :)

But this made me think that a Father's Day special offer is probably in order. So let's make one up. How about this - order anything from our store before Midnight on June 16th and use the coupon code Fathers2009 and get 10% off everything in your cart.

Now you have no excuse - and if your special guy is as stoked as me at getting my new Tiki you'll have a Happy Daddy-O!

Update: Mine arrived!

If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, chances are you’re familiar with hula dancing. A staple of Hawaiian culture, Hula is a traditional form of music and dancing. This traditional Hawaiian music and dancing style is used to express praise and communicate genealogy and mythology. According to Hawaiian legend, the original hula dance was performed by a god or goddess, making the dance sacred to Hawaiian culture. It has been traditionally danced by both men and women, although today many hula dances performed for tourists include only women.

Hula music has been passed through generations of Hawaiians, preserving their cultural heritage. Today, hula music includes native Hawaiian folk music and even modern styles incorporating hip-hop and rap, as well as steel guitars. These distinctive styles all fall more or less into the “hula” genre. Many hula themes are influenced by the cultures of the nearby Polynesian islands. However, the hula dance is all its own, and is very distinctive when compared to other dances from this area of the world.

The hula dance is often seen at special festivals and other events, including luaus. Although today many hulas are performed for tourists, the actual hula art form goes back hundreds of years. Traditional hula music includes chanting, most of which is influenced by religion. This style of Hawaiian folk music includes simple melodies and rhythms influenced by poetry. Although it originated for rituals and religious ceremonies, today most hula dances are performed strictly for entertainment purposes. If you can see the traditional hula dance and modern hula side-by-side, you will notice a difference.

When learning to dance the hula, it is very important to learn the meanings of the dance moves. Each action and movement of the body has a specific meaning. In the hula dance, the hand placement is very important. Different movements imitate a palm tree, plants, animals, and even war.

While some say that the chants accompanying the hula dance were once the most important part of the dance, today the hula movements themselves are widely recognized to be the part of the dance carrying the most symbolic meaning. The traditional form is called hula kahiko, while the modern type is known as hula auana.

Hula dancers usually wear a specific costume when dancing the hula. This typically consists of a fresh flower lei, of the type you will see frequently on vacations to Hawaii. A grass skirt, known as a pau, is worn with anklets made of bone. This ensemble is quite recognizable the world over; hula dancers can even be found on the dashboards of many cars.

Although the hula dance is very popular today, and has existed for thousands of years, it almost died out when missionaries came to Hawaii in the 1800s. They tried to convince the dancers to stop, because they believed that it clashed with the Christian beliefs they were trying to teach, but King Kalakaua encouraged this traditional dance, helping it to flourish.

If you are visiting Hawaii, one of the unique cultural activities you must experience is the hula dance. Many hula dancers perform at luaus and other ceremonies. While you’re on your vacation, be sure to take the time to learn about the culture, the history, and the people of Hawaii.

You are already reading our blog which is greatly appreciated, but did you know that we also "twitter"?

According to Wikipedia, Twitter is:

..a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length which are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have subscribed to them (known as followers).

Since tweets are shorter, we tend to twitter more about what's going on here at Royal Tiki, random thoughts and occasionally special offers or short-term deals that we don't post about elsewhere.

Feel free to follow us at http://www.Twitter.com/RoyalTiki - we look forward to connecting!

A beach party is a perennial favorite, especially during the summertime. Although it helps if it can be held at an actual beach or around a backyard pool, any party can be transformed into a beach party with just the right décor, entertainment, and food.

First, begin the theme with the invitations. For example, you can decorate each invitation in the shape of a flip-flop sandal, a beach umbrella, a surfboard, or any other immediately recognizable beach-themed design. This way, your guests know what to expect when they arrive at your party. Invite them to wear their favorite beach wear, including shorts, sarongs, and flip flops.

For ambience, play a CD of soothing beach background effects. The sounds of waves and seagulls will instantly transform your backyard into a beach. Another choice is surfing music like The Beach Boys or the B-52s. In fact, any upbeat and summer-oriented songs would be a good fit for your theme.

Decorations should include bright fish, streamers, and tiki masks. Other décor ideas include large seashells or surfboards. Inflatable palm trees are relatively easy to find and will give your party a fun atmosphere. Large paper umbrellas can provide your guests some shade during the bright and sunny daytime hours, while a campfire or tiki torches can provide appropriate mood lighting at night. Set up lounge chairs around the party area for your guests to relax.

Entertainment for your party can include music, Frisbees, horseshoes, water balloons, and of course a pool, if you have one. A conga line and a limbo contest are other fun activities for guests of all ages. If your event is being held at the beach or in a park, have a volleyball tournament. Don’t forget to buy a few plastic beach balls to throw around at your party. For smaller children, bury a treasure and create a treasure map for them to follow.

If there are kids at your party, plan to have some beach-themed games. One classic is a snorkeling relay; it involves two or three teams. Each team will need a set of flippers, a snorkeling mask, a large measuring cup, a measuring spoon, and a large bowl or bucket full of water. Each team member will need to put on the mask and flippers, make their way over to the water, fill the spoon, and make their way over to the measuring cup, trying not to spill the water in the process. The process continues until one team has reached a specified water line on the large measuring cup.

Food suggestions include fresh fruit salads or kabobs and barbecued fare. Seafood is, of course, always popular for a beach-themed party. Try to use finger foods, like hamburgers, hot dogs, or teriyaki chicken skewers. For inspiration, look for foods that you may eat when you’re at the beach. Be sure to find little paper umbrellas for serving cold drinks. Serve the food in large beach buckets; they could even act as ice buckets to keep drinks cold.

Unfortunately our server went down for 8 hours on Memorial Day (the last day of our sale), so we have extended it one day. The sale will now end on May 26th.

We sincerely apologize for this downtime, it was an unfortunate set of circumstances that led to this. We've put new systems in place to help minimize the chances of it happening again!

A beach themed living room or bedroom is a fun and relaxing atmosphere that will never go out of style. Even small changes through the use of accents can transform your room into a tranquil scene. In the dead of winter, you’ll still feel like you’re in paradise when you step into your coastal or island-themed room.

For beach-themed accessories, look for those featuring seashells, sea life, and flip-flop sandals. These will instantly remind you of a trip to the beach. A combination of wall décor and a few pieces placed on tables or shelves around the room can change the whole look of the room without costing a fortune. If you do find pieces on the beach, such as seashells or driftwood, you’ll need to make sure they are cleaned and sanitized before leaving them around in your room. Even if you are miles away from the ocean, you can still find accent pieces that will bring a waterside theme into your room.

A large print, photo, or wall hanging can immediately establish the theme of the room. It should be hung in a central location in the room, right at eye level. This is one of the easiest ways to begin the transformation of your beach-style room.

If you’re ready to makeover the entire room with a beach theme, start by painting the walls. Light blue or a sandy tan color are both popular choices when you’re trying to invoke a beach atmosphere. Palm trees, fish, and of course, a sunset will make any room feel like you’re on vacation.

Use lots of natural materials, such as seashells, bamboo, linen, and cotton. Don’t forget about lighting that will fit in with the beach theme you are trying to create. This means natural, light-colored shades. If you want to use a rug in the room, choose one in a natural tan color, to mimic a sandy beach. It is a much better choice to use an appropriately-colored rug than to attempt to spread loose sand in your room! If your beach-themed room is your bedroom, don’t forget to select bedding to match the theme.

Hide any modern conveniences, like a stereo or television, in a cabinet covered in bamboo so that you can relax and unwind without any reminders of the modern world. The key to a successful beach themed room is to remove the clutter and simplify the room. The beach should be relaxing and open, not cramped and cluttered with too many things sitting around. Your beach-themed room will not seem so inviting if you have filled every available space with a piece of beach-themed décor; less is more, in this case.

Your room may turn out to be Hawaiian or tropical themed, or more like a coastal beach in a cooler climate, depending on the décor and color scheme you choose. Stick to light, breezy fabrics, light blue, and tan, with a few pops of bright color. With many bright colors, your room will take on a more exciting Hawaiian vibe rather than a tranquil beach.

This is half joking and half serious. The idea of selling Tikis "by the foot" is very wrong, but at the same time we are regularly asked for "the largest Tikis at the lowest price". It's natural to want the biggest Tikis, but if our top-of-the-range Acacia Tiki statues are out of your reach, what do you do?

So we've put together an easy reference of our favorite Tikis, arranged literally by their cost per foot. Often these are indoor Tikis, probably made from pine. This means that they will last far longer if they are kept out of the weather.

As I've said before though, weathering is a personal preference. I have pine Tiki Totems outside where they get full rain and sun, and to me they just look older and have more character. Pine masks are much thinner and cracks are more serious in them for that reason. It's up to you. Read our "Tiki Care" article for complete details.

So, here are our suggested products..

Love & Prosperity 40" Double Headed Tiki Mask Regular: $78.97 Our price: $58.97 Sorry, out of stock	Painted Triple 40" Tiki Mask Regular: $90.97 Our price: $58.97 Sorry, out of stock	Maori Tongued 40" Triple Tiki Mask Regular: $90.97 Our price: $58.97
Triple Faces 40" Hand Carved Tiki Mask Regular: $82.97 Our price: $58.97	Love, Prosperity and Health 5ft Triple Headed Tiki Mask Totem Regular: $189 Our price: $149	Double Headed 5ft Tiki Mask Totem with Stand Regular: $189 Our price: $149 Less than five in stock!
Big Kahuna 5ft Tiki Mask Totem with Stand Regular: $189 Our price: $149	Warrior 39" Tiki Totem Regular: $149 Our price: $99	Kona 39" Hand Painted Tiki Totem Regular: $159 Our price: $109
Sharky 39" Hand Painted Tiki Totem Regular: $159 Our price: $109	Pineapple 39" Hand Painted Tiki Totem Regular: $159 Our price: $109
Triple Headed 6ft Tiki Totem - Antique Finish Regular: $269 Our price: $219	Double Headed Tiki Totem 72" in Antique Finish Regular: $249 Our price: $219	Triple Headed 5ft Tiki Totem - Antique Finish Regular: $249 Our price: $199
Kaena 47" Tiki Totem Regular: $299 Our price: $219 Less than five in stock!	Kane 47" Tiki Totem Regular: $299 Our price: $229 Less than five in stock!	Ku 47" Tiki Totem Regular: $299 Our price: $249 Sorry, out of stock
Pohaku 47" Tiki Totem Regular: $299 Our price: $229 Less than five in stock!	Ku 47" Tiki Totem Regular: $299 Our price: $249 Sorry, out of stock	Lono 80" Tiki Totem Regular: $549 Our price: $399 Sorry, out of stock
Lanikai Tiki Totem 60" Love Tiki Regular: $399 Our price: $319	Ku 60" Tiki Totem Regular: $449 Our price: $329 Sorry, out of stock

Tiki torches were once traditional lighting on many islands. Today, they are ubiquitous outdoor decorations. The dancing flames will instantly transform your space into an island paradise. For warm summer evenings, adding tiki torches to your yard, garden, or patio will bring a relaxing atmosphere.

Outdoor tiki torches can be quite inexpensive, though some have elaborate styles that will easily evoke an island feeling right in your backyard. The traditional style is made of bamboo that has been woven together, giving the torch a handmade and primitive island style that will perfectly blend in with the rest of your tiki decorations. Today, similar torches can be found in metal, ceramic, or other materials as well. Though these may be more durable, they will not give the same island feeling as the traditional bamboo ones. Most torches, even those made of bamboo, will last for at least the whole summer season when left outside, depending on the weather conditions.

Tiki torches are filled with lamp oil, and will burn for many hours. These torches use a wick which absorbs the oil in the bowl. Use high-quality, low- or no-smoke lamp oil for your backyard torches. Consider citronella oil, which has the added benefit of repelling the mosquitoes that may be bothering your party guests.

Tiki torches are a low-maintenance, beautiful way to decorate your backyard for evening use. These torches are also a must-have decoration for any tiki party or luau. They are the most popular style of themed lighting for a backyard party, especially one with an island theme. Place them anywhere your guests may go, for mood lighting, around the pool, or anywhere else that could benefit from a little additional light without ruining the mood of the party. These torches can keep your guests safe, by lighting areas that may be unsafe in the dark. Of course, they are also fun and relaxing. Unlike electric lighting, they won’t ruin the tropical mood of your party. Relax and sip a tropical drink by the light of a tiki torch.

Always keep torches away from flammable materials, especially popular tiki decorations like grass skirts, paper umbrellas, or a thatched-roof tiki bar. Firmly anchor the torch into the ground, especially if you plan to leave it up for awhile or have kids or pets running around who may knock into the torch. If you do not have any space to anchor a tiki torch into the ground, consider tabletop torches, or stings of Hawaiian-themed lights, rather than a traditional torch to light your party. Between uses, store the torches upright if they are filled with oil. If drained, they can be stored on their sides.

Tiki torches can be brought indoors, as long as they are not lit. Use these bamboo torches in your tiki-themed living room or bedroom for added ambience. Never light them indoors; they are usually too close to the ceiling, and may catch surrounding items on fire. Tiki torches are meant only for outdoor use. These bamboo torches will easily complement any island or tiki-themed décor.

The response to our sale over the last two weeks has been amazing; we really appreciate all our new customers and repeat customers that took advantage of our new low prices.

So we couldn't resist doing it again - yes, we're extending the sale for another two weeks!

We're confident that you won't find cheaper prices anywhere. Try it. If you can, our lowest price guarantee is STILL in effect. We have always said that if you find anything cheaper elsewhere, we will match the price and give you an extra 10% of the difference too!

May 8th 2009:

3 days to go - our sale ends on Monday May 11th at midnight! 10-40% off all products in our store, including:

• Indoor Tikis
• Tiki Statues
• Tiki Totems
• Hawaiian Tiki Masks
• Polynesian Tiki Masks
• Beach Decor
• Coastal Decor
• Tropical Decor

Our FREE Shipping is still in effect too. You may have missed Mother's Day, but you still have a chance to make your own little peice of Hawaii if you act quickly.

Remember, this sale ends at Midnight on Monday May 11th 2009!

One of the most important aspects of any tiki party or luau is the food. Your inspiration for tiki party food should come from the tropical environment of the islands. Serve all of your food and drinks at a tiki bar for ambience.

One of the easiest ways to serve tiki food is to make a platter of fruit kabobs. Use tropical fruits like melons and pineapple. These will perfectly complement fruity tiki drinks and sweet meats, such as ham, barbecued pork, or grilled chicken. Marinate the meat in barbecue, teriyaki, or sweet and sour sauce before cooking. Seafood, especially shrimp, is always popular at tiki parties. If you can find it, mahi-mahi fish would be an appropriate entrée at your party.

For your tiki party, any number of tropically-inspired foods will complete the island feeling. Though a pig roast would be traditional at a luau, it can be complicated, and you may not have the space for it. Though many Polynesian or traditional tiki foods require special ingredients, it is entirely possible to have an island-inspired feast with unique twists on ordinary foods. Barbecuing hotdogs or hamburgers will ruin the tropical ambience, but chicken, beef satay, or seafood will continue your party theme. When barbecuing tiki food, be sure to move the grill away from your decorations; many tiki decorations, such as grass skirts, are flammable.

Tiki party food is often very creative, and this creativity should continue with the way the food is served. For example, serve a fruit salad in a hollowed out watermelon, or use the various foods of your buffet to create a display of shapes or figures. Bamboo skewers and toothpick umbrellas can also be used in your party fare display.

Many traditional ‘tiki party’ foods are actually popular cocktail party fare from the 1950’s and 1960’s, when tiki culture became wildly popular in many circles. One unique dish often served at such parties was a sauce combining brown mustard and blackberry jelly, heated over low heat. The mixture becomes a thick sauce in a few hours, and is served with li’l smokies sausages. In fact, cocktail weenies served a central part of many 1960’s cocktail parties, not just tiki parties. Many other foods served with toothpicks were also seen at these 1960’s tiki parties.

Before planning your party menu, consider the environment you want. Do you want a tiki party that feels authentic, or do you want to draw inspiration from kitschy 1960’s tiki culture? If you plan to have a vintage-inspired tiki party, consider finding a 1960’s cookbook with tiki-inspired recipes, featuring unusual and often surprising flavor combinations.

After you’ve planned your menu, don’t forget tiki drinks. These are just as important as, if not more important than, the food you plan to serve at your tropical party. Fruit punch and mai-tais are classic tiki drinks that are easy to make. Don’t forget dessert; anything with pineapple or coconut will do. Pineapple upside down cake and coconut cream pie are just two of the tropical desserts you can serve at your tiki party.

Tiki culture was popularized in the United States during the 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s thanks to tiki bars and restaurants. The most famous of these were Trader Vic’s and Don the Beachcombers. Usually served in special cups molded to look like a coconut shell, the bowl of a volcano, or another tiki motif, in many cases the recipes of such drinks were not published on the menu. In fact, the Zombie drink served by Don the Beachcomber, which opened n 1934, is still a secret; many have tried to replicate this popular tiki drink.

In part because of this fact, tiki drinks have come to be seen as a large part of tiki culture. If you are having a tiki party or making good use of your homemade tiki bar, consider serving appropriate tiki drinks. These drinks were typically very large and served with two straws.

Tiki drinks are typical tropical drinks, including mai tais and other iced concoctions. To make these truly ‘tiki’ drinks, serve them in a ceramic tiki-shaped mug, which was very popular during the mid-century tiki craze. In fact, these mugs are still being produced today, and make a very stylish addition to your home bar. Don’t forget to top the drink with a paper umbrella. If you’re making iced tiki drinks, nearly any recipe involving rum will do. Another liquor used in tiki drinks instead of rum is Okolehao, a Hawaiian liquor, usually 80 proof, made from the TI plant; it comes in both white and dark versions, like rum.

The Mai Tai was actually invented at the beginning of the tiki craze in 1944 by Victor Bergeron, the founder of the popular chain of Trader Vic’s tiki restaurants. To make a mai tai, you’ll need the juice of 1 lime, 3/4 ounce orange curacao, 2 ounces orgeat syrup, 1/4 ounce sugar syrup, 2 ounces dark rum, and a splash of grenadine. Shake in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and then strain into a margarita glass filled with crushed ice.

A Blue Hawaiian or Blue Lagoon is a fun tropical drink that is a bit more unique than the typical mai tai. In a glass of crushed ice, combine 3 ounces of pineapple juice, 1/2 ounce blue curacao, 3/4 ounce gold rum, and 1 ounce cream of coconut, and stir.

The grotto, another favorite at tiki restaurants including Don the Beachcomber’s, was served in a giant clamshell for three or more people. It included Bacardi 151, Limon, and O, along with peach schnapps, blue curacao, apricot brandy, and a restaurant secret blend of tropical fruit juices.

In addition to these typical iced drinks, those served in special tiki mugs were often flaming drinks. In fact, many tiki restaurants advertised these drinks as their special; some were only available to members who had tried all of the other drinks at the tiki bar, and most came in specially shaped souvenir mugs.

One example of a hot tiki drink is the Flaming Dr. Pepper. This involves a bottle of 151 (rum), amaretto, and light beer. Fill a shot glass 3/4 full with amaretto, and top with 151 so that the 151 settles on top. Then fill a pint glass halfway with light beer. Carefully light the top of the shot on fire. Once it’s lit, drop it into the pint glass. It will fizz; drink as soon as you can.

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If you want to plan a tropical vacation off the beaten path, consider Fiji. There are over 300 separate islands in this chain in the Southwest Pacific, though only about 100 are inhabited, leaving plenty of room for exploration during your stay. Most of Fiji’s population lives on the islands of Vanau Levu and Viti Levu. Fiji is located approximately midway between the Kingdom of Tonga and Vanuatu.

Stay on one island of Fiji for the duration of your stay, or travel to various locations to explore the dramatic changes in scenery. Fiji offers something for everyone, from a romantic getaway to a family-friendly adventure. Like any tropical island vacation, Fiji offers white sandy beaches, palm trees, and of course beautiful blue skies. The islands rise into peaks up to 4,250 feet tall covered with tropical forests.

Fiji was first settled about three thousand years ago by immigrants from Tonga and other Pacific islands; it was not settled by Europeans until the nineteenth century, when it became a British colony. Fiji gained its independence in 1970. Today, most residents are of mixed Polynesian and Melanesian ancestry, although a significant minority is Indo-Fijians, or descendants of Indian laborers brought by the British colonizers in the nineteenth century.

Unlike Hawaii and other popular destinations, Fiji offers a completely unspoiled island paradise, just like what you see in vacation brochures. On the isolated islands of Fiji, you won’t run into crowded beaches or large supermarkets. This unique destination is known for recreation activities including hiking in the tropical forests and scuba diving or snorkeling in the blue waters. Croquet and golf are available if you prefer a more organized sport.

The islands of Fiji are known for their hospitality, with service on hand to ensure that you experience a luxurious stay. There is no such thing as a room without a view in Fiji; you can be sure that every room will overlook an island paradise.

No matter which island you choose to visit, be sure to soak in plenty of the local island culture. Over the centuries, a unique Fijian culture developed from Samoan, Tongan, Melanesian, Indian, Chinese, and European traditions. Today, the indigenous Fijian culture is still very alive, and overall the culture of the Fijian islands is still very traditional. In fact, many lodgings where you may be staying still have a thatched roof, like a tiki hut. The heavy Polynesian influence includes the worship of tikis and related traditions. As a result, you’ll see many tiki masks, statues, and other carvings during your stay in Fiji.

Partake in the local culture by visiting the Fiji Museum, which features the political, archaeological, and cultural history of the islands. Learn to dance the meke from native inhabitants, whose native dance is done while dressed in leis and grass skirts. Opportunities are also available to float down one of the many rivers on a traditional bamboo raft. For the best evening experience of modern Fiji culture, visit Suva, the capital, where local bars, restaurants, and other nightlife are available.

Enjoy a bit of island charm by decorating your home and bedroom in surf style. Besides the typical island motifs, consider incorporating real surfboards into your design. Surfboards can make great decorations for any beach, surf, or tiki themed room. You can use them as a tabletop, creating a unique centerpiece coffee table for your living room. You can also use surfboards as a distinctive headboard in your bedroom, or create a long shelf by attaching one perpendicular to your wall using shelving brackets.

Using a surfboard requires some creativity, but it is a great way to easily decorate large areas of your room. With the right tools, surfboards can be cut in half. To make furniture out of these pieces, glue your surfboard to existing furniture, or attach the pieces to each other with a very sturdy method that can hold the full weight of the board.

In fact, with a little creativity surfboards can be recycled into nearly any type of furniture. When cut in half, they can be built into chairs with wooden frames. Surfboards can be built into benches, bars, doors, and many other types of furniture that can take advantage of the curved shape of a surfboard.

A custom surfboard bed will give you a simple focus point for the rest of your bedroom. Simply build a headboard with surfboards; you can also use boards to cover the sides, and even the end of your bed.

Surfboards also make a great decoration when simply propped against the wall or placed on a surfboard rack. Their bright colors and instantly recognizable shape will immediately bring a beach-like atmosphere to your home. Vintage surfboards add an especially unique touch. If you plan to use surfboards for decoration, you may be able to find boards that show lots of wear from use in the ocean; these can add to the authenticity of your display. Many boards, especially older ones, have a distinctive graphic appeal in beautiful colors that can add visual appeal to your room.

Building a tiki bar and propping surfboards against one side is one of the easiest ways to recreate a real beach scene. Unlike many other kinds of surfing or beach décor, a surfboard will provide a focal part for the layout of your room. For many people who choose a beach, surf, or tiki-theme, accent pieces are easy to find but themed furniture and other large pieces can be harder. Though the details can make or break the overall feel of the room, larger pieces incorporating surfboards will immediately start the theme of your home. Surfboards make great conversation pieces, too; everyone who walks in will comment on your surfboard.

Other types of décor that will complement your surfboard include tikis, fish, dolphins, palm trees, turtles, flip-flops, and other tropical-themed motifs. This décor can remind you of a tropical vacation, all without the need to travel away from your home. Simply decorate your furniture with surfboards and bright tropical colors, and then use tropical-themed accessories to complete the mood.

A tiki party or luau is the quintessential summer party. Although most tiki parties happen in a backyard or near a pool, your tiki party or luau can also be held indoors. A tiki party atmosphere is uniquely relaxing and inviting. Plus, it is very easy to decorate your home or yard with Polynesian style.

The first step in decorating for your party is to set up a wooden tiki bar. This can take the form of a freestanding tiki hut, or a smaller bar anywhere you plan to serve food or drinks. These are actually quite easy to construct, and should be covered in grass skirts or thatching for an authentic look. You can make a tiki bar in just a few days; this bar will serve as the centerpiece of your party, and instantly pull together the theme of your party. If you do not have the time to set up a full tiki bar, decorate a table or counter with grass skirts or thatching.

When decorating for your tiki party, use lots of natural fibers and bright tropical colors. You can use burlap or unbleached cotton for the tablecloths, or simply use a brightly colored plastic cloth. Tiki party decorations include bamboo, tiki umbrellas, fresh coconuts, and of course, tiki statues or masks. You can also incorporate beach or surfing décor, especially if your backyard has a pool. These accessories will help make your party fun and unique. Play tiki, Hawaiian guitar, or reggae as background music.

You can use citronella torches to keep the mosquitoes away from your party guests, but do not light the torches if you are holding your party indoors. Always light tiki torches away from combustible materials, which can be tricky with all of the natural materials involved in decorating for a tiki party. If you are having an indoor party, consider using strings of festive lights instead of candles.

At your tiki party or luau, serve Hawaiian foods and delicious tropical drinks. Your menu should include fresh pineapple and other fruits on skewers, roasted pork, shrimp, and grilled chicken. If you don’t want to make anything too complicated, you can even serve Hawaiian pizzas. Spam is very popular in Hawaii, so it would be appropriate to serve with rice at your luau. Tropical punch, pina coladas, mai tais, and daiquiris are the perfect drinks for any tiki party. Don’t forget the paper umbrellas, tiki mugs, and maraschino cherries!

Invite your guests to wear Hawaiian shirts or grass skirts to get them in the tiki party mood. Hand out leis at the door as you welcome them to “the island” of your party. Hold a limbo contest. You can also give out small tiki figures as party favors, or as a prize for the contest.

Even if you don’t live in a hot climate, the tiki décor can help you feel like you are in a tropical paradise. Tiki parties are a fun and relaxing way to celebrate. This summer, throw a tiki party that everyone will remember!

There are many relics available from the tiki craze of the 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s. Collectors enjoy the kitschy, often over-the-top nature of such items. They can also be used to decorate your home or bedroom.

By far the most popular collectible is the tiki mug. In fact, several books have even been written specifically about them. They are the most instantly recognizable feature of retro tiki culture, and were used in themed bars and restaurants across this country. Because of this, they are still readily available in antique shops, thrift stores, and similar locations. Since they are so popular, tiki mugs can also be purchased new, especially in souvenir shops or those offering tiki décor. Usually ceramic, with tropical colors, the serious collector may see a staggering variation among available designs. These mugs are great to display, but even better to keep at your bar to serve tropical drinks, as they were meant to be used.

Bar menus, drink stirrers, coasters, and other relics of popular tiki bars, including Trader Vic’s, Don the Beachcomber’s, and numerous local restaurants once located in nearly every city across the U.S., are also popular with collectors. As the restaurants from the heyday of the craze began closing, items from these establishments, including signs, ashtrays, and anything else with the name of the bar or restaurant, quickly became hot commodities among those lamenting the demise of these fun and unique places. Today, items from famous tiki restaurants are some of the rarest and most sought-after tropical collectibles.

If you look hard enough, many different tiki-themed items can be found, especially in advertising, due to the popularity of tiki memorabilia at that time. Matchbooks, calendars, and other ephemera remain popular among collectors. Those who collect tropical memorabilia often collect postcards sent from Hawaii and similar locations during the time period of the tiki craze because they often depict retro scenes with huts, masks, or totems. Surprisingly, vintage Hawaiian shirts can also be quite collectible, as can vintage tiki-themed souvenirs from Hawaii and other island destinations. Other themed souvenirs come from the Enchanted Tiki Room or the Polynesian Resort, two Disneyland attractions.

Tiki music from this era is preserved on records bearing exotic-sounding names by artists like Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, and Les Baxter. These records, known for their island beats, usually have tiki or island-themed covers, too.

Other popular tiki items include carved masks and statues. These are sought after by collectors who want their own home to have tropical style. They don’t need to be vintage or rare to be enjoyed by many who simply want to bring a little island style to the mainland.

Today, the area of tiki collectibles is growing rapidly, in part due to the revival of the culture. As new tiki-themed bars and restaurants begin to open, more and more people will be drawn to the charm of vintage collectibles, and more items will be available for new collectors to add to the décor in their homes. People collect tiki memorabilia mainly because they love the imagery involved with the commercialization of tiki culture.

If you are hosting a tiki party or want to feel as relaxed as if you were on a tropical island, try Tiki music. Tiki music began as part of the tiki craze of the mid-1950s, which popularized other aspects of Polynesian or island culture. Other elements that became popular in America were tiki statues, grass skirts, and hula girls, among other motifs.

This sub-genre first gained popularity outside tiki restaurants in the 1960’s in California, where it grew out of surf culture. Today, tiki music is very popular, and not just for themed restaurants. Tiki music has also been described as “exotica lounge music” When listening to this music, you can picture yourself on the beach, with the waves lapping gently at the shore, a tropical drink in your hand.

Although tiki music is often associated with a kitschy and somewhat cheesy environment because it was played in popular restaurants like Trader Vic’s and Don the Beachcomber’s, the tiki music movement was actually much more sophisticated than that. The inspiration for these sounds came from soldiers returning from the South Pacific after World War II, as well as Hawaii’s statehood in 1959.

Popular tiki artists include Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, and Yma Sumc. The tiki genre is a fusion of jazz, jungle, and a Caribbean drum beat. Perhaps it is known as Exotica because it can instantly transport your mind to an exotic beach. With titles like “Taboo”, “Forbidden Sounds”, “Heat”, and “Bali Hai”, tiki music suggests an unknown and somewhat mystical, far-away culture. “Quiet Village,” “Enchanted Sea,” and “Hawaiian Sunset,” among other popular tiki titles, suggest the serenity of an island paradise.

One popular name for the tiki genre, “exotica”, is drawn from the name of a 1947 Martin Denny album. In fact, Martin Denny is often seen as the father of exotica music. This particular type of music was popular during the original tiki craze, and as characterized by tribal and Latin rhythms set against a tropical soundscape.

Arthur Lyman, perhaps the second most popular tiki artist, got his start playing the vibraphone with Martin Denny. His style includes bird calls, bells, and other sounds meant to simulate an island environment.

Tiki artist Les Baxter was actually born in Texas. His music has been sampled by P. Diddy and The Beastie Boys. He composed many songs for movies and television, and also worked with Nat King Cole, Bob Hope, and others. He is also well-known for Jungle exotica; this genre, when compared to tiki exotica, includes more natural or jungle-inspired sounds; it is mainly a Hollywood creation stemming from Tarzan and similar movies.

Today, tiki music is experiencing a revival. New tiki bars are even opening, replacing their kitschy or campy predecessors. As expected, the rising popularity of other tiki elements has led to a newfound popularity of tiki music.

If you are having a tiki party this summer, consider picking up a few tiki CDs to complete the mood. The classic sounds of tiki music are understandably popular in tiki bars, decorated by bamboo and dried grass as well as other tiki or island motifs. This unusual blend of music is sure to add to the fun and relaxing atmosphere.