Posted in October 2021
The Halloween season is usually a special time at The Mai-Kai. The 64-year-old Polynesian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale has seen its fair share of wild and crazy parties over the years, but not many can come close to the annual Hulaween bash.
Following flooding and roof damage right before Hulaween 2020, last year’s party moved to the parking lot for the first Hulaween Drive-In Movie. The historic Tiki temple remains closed for renovations, and there will sadly be now Hulaween in 2021 after 12 straight years of hijinks.
Despite this apparent doom and gloom, spirits are high among the staff and longtime fans of the family-run operation after last month’s announcement of a new partnership that will not only pave the way for the reopening, but also pump money and energy into making The Mai-Kai better than ever.
Another parking lot party is just not in the cards this year, but we eagerly await the day when those doors will swing open and we’ll be back in The Molokai bar for happy hour, followed by dinner and the Polynesian Islander Revue, the longest-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States, including Hawaii.
It won’t be long after that before we’re ready for the lucky 13th Hulaween, featuring crazy costumes, live music, and those delicious Mai-Kai cocktails. In the meantime, here’s a look back at the past 12 years of Hulaween madness in The Molokai. Click on the links for full coverage and photos.
2020
The Mai-Kai celebrates Hulaween 2020 with drive-in movie party after closing for renovations
The historic Polynesian restaurant transported revelers to a socially-distanced celebration like no other, including an appearance by Appleton Rum’s Joy Spence.
2019
The living dead came to party at The Mai-Kai’s Hulaween 2019 luau
After 10 years, we know what to expect from The Mai-Kai’s infamous Hulaween party: Kooky costumes, rockin’ tunes and many cocktails consumed in The Molokai bar. The 2019 bash lived up to those standards.
2018
Back from the Dead: Hulaween turns 10 with another ghoulish gathering
The Molokai bar and The Mai-Kai came alive with the living dead as another full house of more than 100 costume-clad revelers celebrated the 10th annual Hulaween.
2017
Monstrous mayhem at the ninth annual Hulaween party
Living up to the theme “Monster Tiki Party,” Slip and the Spinouts rocked The Molokai bar for more than six hours at the ninth annual Hulaween party.
2016
A hauntingly good time at The Mai-Kai’s 8th annual Hulaween party
More than 100 costumed revelers packed The Molokai lounge for an evening of deadly tropical drinks, live music from Slip and the Spinouts and creative costume contest.
2015
The undead get lively at The Mai-Kai’s seventh annual Hulaween
The living dead came out in full force on Halloween Eve, filling The Molokai bar with creative costumes and partying to the rockabilly sounds of Slip and the Spinouts.
2014
A ghastly good time at The Mai-Kai’s sixth annual Hulaween party
Ghoulish, whimsical and Tiki-inspired costumes filled The Molokai bar on Halloween night during The Mai-Kai’s annual bash that celebrates all things creepy and kooky.
2013
Partygoers raise hell at The Mai-Kai’s fifth annual Hulaween
South Florida surf band Skinny Jimmy & the Stingrays rocked The Molokai bar, which was packed with costume-clad revelers at the historic Polynesian restaurant’s frighteningly festive Halloween bash.
2012
Hulaween was hoppin’ all night at The Mai-Kai
Slip and the Spinouts rocked the house during The Mai-Kai’s fourth annual Hulaween, a seven-hour party that also included a costume contest, retro tunes and the return of a special “lost cocktail.”
2009-11
Rockin’ bands, crazy costumes highlight Hulaween’s early years
Popular local bands Slip and the Spinouts and the Hep Cat Boo Daddies were the punctuation mark on The Mai-Kai’s creative new Halloween party. The costume party was a hit right out of the gate, setting the standard for years to come.
Photos on Facebook: 2011 | 2010 | 2009
More on The Mai-Kai
Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
Reviews and ratings of the historic restaurant’s current and past tropical drinks, plus ancestor and exclusive tribute recipes.
The Mai-Kai restoration guide
Get the latest news, photos and social media updates on the multimillion-dollar renovation and refurbishment of South Florida’s Polynesian palace, plus an archive of past coverage.
More Halloween hijinx
A frightening flight of deadly cocktails
Get ready for a trio of deadly drinks with a dark and foreboding flair, just in time for the spooky season.
The Mai-Kai’s deadly Zombie resurrected for Halloween
The iconic cocktail was available in 2022 for the first time since the historic restaurant closed after an October 2020 storm, and for the first time in takeout quarts and gallons.
Eerie and evil tunes for your Halloween shindig
Skinny Jimmy Stingray gives us his picks for the most sinister surf songs. “Nothing echoes quite as ghoulishly as the sound of a reverb-soaked electric guitar.”