Author: Hurricane Hayward

A journalist and Florida resident for more than 40 years, Jim "Hurricane" Hayward shares his obsession with Polynesian Pop and other retro styles on his blog, The Atomic Grog. Jim's roots in mid-century and retro culture go back to his childhood in the 1960s, when he tagged along with his parents to Tiki restaurants and his father's custom car shows. His experience in newspaper journalism and more than 20 years as an independent concert promoter have given him a front-row seat in the South Florida scene since the 1970s. He promoted hundreds of rock, punk, and indie concerts under the Slammie Productions banner since the early 1990s. A graduate of the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications in 1983, Jim was a longtime editor and web producer for The Palm Beach Post before his retirement in 2022. He earned his nickname by virtue of both his dangerous exotic drinks and his longtime position overseeing tropical weather coverage in his stormy home state. Jim now spends his time mixing cocktails, attending events and writing stories for this blog, which launched in 2011. The Atomic Grog extensively covers events, music, art, cocktails, and culture with a retro slant.
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Mai-Kai’s classic Tiki carving restored as restaurant’s reimagination continues

Mai-Kai's classic Tiki carving restored as restaurant's reimagination continues

Like any other historic property, restoration is an ongoing task at the Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, the 69-year-old Tiki temple is also one of two historic sites in the city of Oakland Park, Fla.

The historic carving by mid-century artist Barney West at the Mai-Kai in the 1960s and today. It was painstakingly restored in early 2026. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / March 31, 2026)
The historic carving by mid-century artist Barney West at the Mai-Kai in the 1960s and today. It was painstakingly restored in early 2026. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / March 31, 2026)

Jump to the latest news below
• Historic carving revived | See the restoration, step-by-step
• Gift shop revamped, new guest space in the works

Much care went into the $20 million restoration project during a four-year closing from late October 2020 until November 2024. The results were spectacular, but one major Mai-Kai icon still desperately needed some TLC as we entered 2026.

We’re happy to report that the vintage tiki by carver Barney West that has greeted guests along Federal Highway since the mid-1960s is now completely restored. It hasn’t looked this good in 30 years after decaying for decades, losing body parts like a zombie corpse.

Artist Tom Fowner speaks at the rededication ceremony for the vintage Tiki carving that he restored at the Mai-Kai. (Photos by "Tiki John" Atkins / March 31, 2026)
Artist Tom Fowner speaks at the rededication ceremony for the vintage Tiki carving that he restored at the Mai-Kai. (Photos by “Tiki John” Atkins / March 31, 2026)

We can thank artist Tom Fowner, who did a massive rebuilding and sculpting job using foam and epoxy putty over several weeks. He then added a new paint job that pays tribute to the tiki’s original redwood finish, just in time for its dedication on March 31. “It’s not identical, but it’s close,” Fowner said.

We haven’t heard of any accidents on the busy highway, but it’s certain that many arriving guests are doing a double-take when they spot the 10-foot-tall carving, which now looks much as it did more than 60 years ago.

This story covers the restoration by the South Florida craftsman in great detail, including many photos taken before, during and after the work was done. The tiki is significant as one of the last remaining large carvings by West, whose works were installed around the United States during the heyday of Polynesian Pop.

Previous Mai-Kai coverage
• Mai-Kai kicks off 2026 with new food and drink menus, special events
• Mai-Kai Rum No. 1: Everything you need to know about historic restaurant’s signature spirit

The Mai-Kai gift shop is themed like an ornate trading post in Bangkok. The room adjacent to the rear gardens has a Chinese theme that matches its former use. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 10 and March 31, 2026)
The Mai-Kai gift shop is themed like an ornate trading post in Bangkok. The room adjacent to the rear gardens has a Chinese theme that matches its former use. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 10 and March 31, 2026)

Part of the nostalgia of the Mai-Kai is driven by the Mai-Kai Trading Company, the gift shop that offers guests unique souvenirs, Tiki mugs, artwork, jewelry, apparel, and lots more. This highly themed space behind the showroom recently received an overhaul, which we’ll explore below.

Along with continuing restoration efforts, the Mai-Kai also remains focused on its reimagination. The first phase of this work included a highly immersive new entry driveway, a spectacular fountain that simulates a volcanic caldera, and the perfectly imagined Bora Bora Bar under the refurbished porte-cochère. [See video]

The second phase is well under way with projects large and small. Some are hush-hush, but one major addition has been hard to ignore. This story will also include some news (plus photos) on the new guest space that can be seen rising up in the rear of the Mai-Kai.

Historic Tiki carving revived by South Florida artist

Barney West was a rugged artist who carved enormous icons from his shop, called Tiki Junction, in Sausalito, Calif.
Barney West was a rugged artist who carved enormous icons from his shop, called Tiki Junction, in Sausalito, Calif.

For the past 62 years, the distinctive tiki carved by acclaimed artist Barney West has seen a lot from its perch on the northeast corner of the 2.7-acre Mai-Kai property, steps away from the neighboring furniture store.

The carving likely arrived at the Mai-Kai in early April 1964 with 10 other giant tikis created by West “ranging from one to six tons apiece,” according to an article in the Fort Lauderdale News. The story calls them “exact replicas and reproductions of the most dramatic statues found in the Polynesian and Melanesian islands.”

Continue reading “Mai-Kai’s classic Tiki carving restored as restaurant’s reimagination continues”

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EXCLUSIVE: See The Atomic Grog’s full Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 symposium and order the new Encyclopedia of Florida Tiki

See The Atomic Grog's full Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 symposium and order the new encyclopedia of Florida Tiki

How much do people care about Florida Tiki and its past, present and future? That’s what I hoped to find out at Orlando’s Tiki-a-Go-Go in late March, when I was scheduled to host a multimedia presentation along with dozens of other distinguished experts in their fields. I hoped that a broad, sweeping approach to the topic would resonate with attendees of the third annual weekender, which attracts Tikiphiles from not just the Sunshine State but all over the country.
Event preview: Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki

Boy, was I right. It turns out people care a lot about Florida Tiki. The seminar, titled “Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State,” attracted an overflow crowd to the 100-seat presentation room at the Caribe Royale Resort at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 29.

A view from the stage before The Atomic Grog's Florida Tiki seminar at Tiki-a-Go-Go on March 29. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
A view from the stage before The Atomic Grog’s Florida Tiki seminar at Tiki-a-Go-Go on March 29. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

Direct links to more below
• Order a printed copy of Florida Tiki: The Encyclopedia of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State.
• Find out who won the balloting at Tiki-a-Go-Go as today’s top Tiki location in Florida.
• See an online version of the presentation “Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State.”

It was the final event at the resort after three days of more than 30 symposiums and classes, dozens of guest cocktail bars and bartenders, live music (Los Straitjackets, The Neanderthals, et al.), artists and vendors, room parties, and more. But many apparently saved their energy for Sunday, and I’m flattered and honored at the turnout, which included people standing in the rear and spilling into the hallway.

I had done presentations on the final day of events before, so I knew that guest travel plans can limit potential attendees. Also, I was bumping right up against my friends Tommy and Kari Allsmiller’s Magical Tiki Meet Up at Walt Disney World that afternoon. We later caught up with everyone at the Polynesian Village Resort, and it appears that event’s turnout was just as strong, boosted by enthusiastic Tiki and Disney fans from California.

Hurricane Hayward after his Florida Tiki presentation at Tiki-a-Go-Go on March 29. (Atomic Grog photo)
Hurricane Hayward after his Florida Tiki presentation at Tiki-a-Go-Go on March 29. (Atomic Grog photo)

As it happens, I was probably better off in that late time slot than sandwiched into the middle of the event alongside such luminaries as Shag, Sven Kirsten and Tim “Swanky” Glazner, who all filled the larger 200-seat rooms to capacity. Kudos to the event organizers for not only bringing together such an elite lineup, but deftly putting together a schedule that allowed everyone numerous entertaining and educational opportunities alongside the stellar drinks, music, and marketplace.
Social media recap: Photos and video from Tiki-a-Go-Go

Florida Tiki encyclopedia available by mail

My research on Florida Tiki history led me down a rabbit hole that revealed more than 150 locations from the 1930s to today. Knowing that I couldn’t possibly mention them all in the presentation, I decided to compile and print a special handbook (designed by Mrs. Hurricane, aka Susan Hayward) that lists them all. The result is the first edition of Florida Tiki: The Encyclopedia of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State, an 8 1/2-by-11 booklet featuring a color cover and 24 total pages.

The front and back cover pages of the new Florida Tiki encyclopedia, produced by The Atomic Grog.
The front and back cover pages of the new Florida Tiki encyclopedia, produced by The Atomic Grog.

Thanks to researcher and writer “Tiki Tom” Duncan helping me flesh out more information than was available online, we dug up a dozen previously unknown venues. Tom and Tim “Swanky” Glazner also provided vintage images that were used in both the booklet and presentation.

The booklet breaks Florida Tiki down into three separate time periods: The Golden Era (1930s-1970s), the Dark Days and Early Revival (1980-2009), and the Current Era (2010 through today). Within each era are listings arranged chronologically within many different categories, including theme parks, roadside attractions, motels and resorts, apartments and condos, restaurants, bars, and retail locations. This running order gives you a good idea of how Florida Tiki evolved over time.

In addition, most listings include information on opening and closing dates, a short description and (in the case of many of the closed venues) details on what became of the site over time. Check out some sample pages below.

The Florida Tiki encyclopedia includes listings of locations from the original golden era through today.
The Florida Tiki encyclopedia includes listings of locations from the original golden era through today.

Expecting a little more than 50 people to attend, we printed 60 copies for Tiki-a-Go-Go. (Mahalo to the Mai-Kai for sponsoring the first printing.) Many of the couples in attendance graciously agreed to share one copy, but we still didn’t have enough to go around. Because of this – and the overwhelming interest – we’re printing more of the first edition and offering them online at cost ($5 printing, $2 shipping).

Continue reading “EXCLUSIVE: See The Atomic Grog’s full Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 symposium and order the new Encyclopedia of Florida Tiki”

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The Hukilau 2026 honors a legend, welcomes new faces to 24th annual Tiki weekender in South Florida

The Hukilau 2026 honors a legend, welcomes new faces to 24th annual Tiki weekender in South Florida

Posted April 13, updated April 24, 2026

Since joining forces with the Mai-Kai in 2003 and becoming Florida’s original Tiki weekender, The Hukilau has overcome numerous changes and challenges. Host hotels have come and gone, and the historic Polynesian restaurant was unavailable for five years during a massive restoration project.

The Hukilau 2026

But like the Polynesian Pop revival that inspired it, The Hukilau has evolved and adapted, pointing to the future while still honoring the past. For the event’s 24th annual event June 3-7, organizers are looking forward to calm seas with a return to the Mai-Kai for the second straight year since its $20 million reimagination.

It will also be the sixth straight year The Hukilau is headquartered at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach, with its scenic oceanfront vistas unlike any other Tiki event. In announcing the countdown to this year’s reunion, organizer Richard Oneslager renewed his commitment to The Hukilau with a promise of “new bars and bands, the return of many longtime favorites, and of course, the world famous Mai-Kai.”

The Hukilau 2026 – June 3-7 at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach and Mai-Kai restaurant in Oakland Park. Featuring live music, special guests, symposiums and classes, guest cocktail bars, pool parties, Tiki Treasures Bazaar, plus more.
• The Hukilau on social media: Instagram | Facebook page and group

The Mai-Kai showroom and Polynesian Islander Revue performance during The Hukilau 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The Mai-Kai showroom and Polynesian Islander Revue performance during The Hukilau 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

The 2026 gathering will be The Hukilau’s 19th full live event at the Mai-Kai, but just the second since 2020. The restaurant, built in 1956, is “the emotional anchor” of The Hukilau, said Oneslager, who invested a large sum of his own money to support the restoration efforts. The two entities “have been attached at the hip for 25 years,” he added.

Sadly, one of The Hukilau’s longtime contributing artists – and an unabashed admirer of the 69-year-old Polynesian palace – won’t be there to enjoy it. Danny “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo passed away in early February after a battle with cancer.
• Gone too soon: Danny ‘Tiki Diablo’ Gallardo left indelible mark on Polynesian Pop revival

Inspired by the Mai-Kai, his work (and personal appearances) were always a highlight of the event. As a tribute to the beloved California artist, The Hukilau and the Mai-Kai will host a special memorial gathering attended by his wife Stephanie Mehr as part of the traditional main event on Friday, June 5. The evening will include a charity auction of some rare editions of Danny’s pendants made for The Hukilau, plus a photographic tribute that will be shown before the nightly dinner shows.

Danny "Tiki Diablo" Gallardo and Stephanie Mehr in their booth in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar at The Hukilau 2025. At right is a pendant that was the last art piece Gallardo created for The Hukilau. (Photos by Jeanne-Vidrine, Pia Dahlquist)
Danny “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo and Stephanie Mehr in their booth in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar at The Hukilau 2025. At right is a pendant that was the last art piece Gallardo created for The Hukilau. (Photos by Jeanne-Vidrine, Pia Dahlquist)

“You couldn’t think of a more important, special, revered place to have a memorial service for Danny,” Oneslager said. More details on this portion of the event will be announced soon. The evening will include multiple performances of the Mai-Kai’s acclaimed Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii). Passholders will be able to make reservations for the tribute and the dinner shows that night directly through the Mai-Kai.

Continue reading “The Hukilau 2026 honors a legend, welcomes new faces to 24th annual Tiki weekender in South Florida”

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Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki

Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki

Updated April 19

In a state built on tourism, there’s a remarkably broad history of Tiki culture spread across Florida’s history books. From spectacular resorts to roadside dives, the legacy is rich with diversity.

The 21st century revival brought a creative new wave of authentic Tiki that Floridians continue to ride today, from events to new bars and restaurants. Are we in the midst of a new golden era of Polynesian Pop, or is the best yet to come?

Tiki Gardens, a 12-acre tropical wonderland in Indian Rocks Beach, was a Florida's flagship Tiki attraction for nearly 25 years.
Tiki Gardens, a 12-acre tropical wonderland in Indian Rocks Beach, was a Florida’s flagship Tiki attraction for nearly 25 years.

Journalist and pop culture enthusiast Jim “Hurricane” Hayward of The Atomic Grog blog will connect the dots between the past, present and future in a multimedia presentation that celebrates Florida’s rich and colorful affair with Tiki culture. Join him on Sunday, March 29, at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando for “Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State.”
FULL PREVIEW: Five things we’re looking forward to at Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026
LIVE COVERAGE: Photos and video from social media
EXCLUSIVE: See The Atomic Grog’s full Tiki-a-Go-Go symposium and order the new encyclopedia of Florida Tiki

The Florida Tiki seminar will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the final event of a whirlwind weekend that will conclude later that day with the annual Magical Tiki Meet Up at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Polynesian Village Resort.

Hayward has documented 150 Tiki locations, from the 1930s to today (including two that will be part of Sunday’s meet-up). This includes resorts and roadside attractions, bars and restaurants, hotels and resorts, apartments and condos, retail outlets, and more. The seminar will break these down not only by category, but also by eras covering nearly 90 years of history.

A 24-page booklet featuring a comprehensive list of every Tiki venue in Florida history will be distributed during the Tiki-a-Go-Go seminar on March 29.
A 24-page booklet featuring a comprehensive list of every Tiki venue in Florida history will be distributed during the Tiki-a-Go-Go seminar on March 29.

Guests attending the seminar will get several special treats, including 1961 home video footage of several vintage locations that has never been seen before (thanks to Tim “Swanky” Glazner). The presentation will include new images and information on historic venues, plus the latest updates on future projects in the works.

As an added bonus, the first 50 attendees will receive a 24-page booklet that documents all of the past and current Tiki sites. This professionally designed encyclopedia is full of photos, descriptions and details on each location’s lifespan. Thanks to Glazner and researcher/writer “Tiki Tom” Duncan for their assistance, plus Susan Hayward (Mrs. Hurricane) for the design.

There will also be a raffle to win new glassware created by Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White (The Tapa Room / Magic City Tiki Weekend) featuring logos of vintage Florida venues. Before you head off to the Magical Tiki Meet Up, be sure to stop by for an enlightening look at the state’s under-appreciated Polynesian Pop history.

Continue reading “Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki”

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Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026: The five best things at the action-packed Orlando event

Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026: Five things we're looking forward to at action-packed Orlando event

Updated April 19

Just three years old, an infant in terms of Tiki revival weekenders, Orlando’s Tiki-a-Go-Go has already grown into one of the premiere events on the annual calendar. This year’s gathering, happening March 27-29 at the Caribe Royale Resort, is loaded with some of the biggest names in the scene and chock full of activities for guests.

Photos and video from Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando
• SEE BELOW: Recap, photos and video from Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026

Not surprisingly, tickets sold out way in advance. We’ll be there to share a special presentation on the past, present and future of Tiki in the Sunshine State (Sunday at 11:30 a.m.). If you missed out on tickets, you can still meet up with the gathered masses at Sunday’s Magical Tiki Meet Up and Monday’s after-party at the Mai-Kai.
PREVIEW: Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki

Shag with his latest print, "The Happiest Place," released March 21. The California artist designed special glassware and the event poster for Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026. (The Shag Store)
Shag with his latest print, “The Happiest Place,” released March 21. The California artist designed special glassware and the event poster for Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026. (The Shag Store)

Launched in 2024 by two Florida couples with a passion for Tiki and retro Florida, Tiki-a-Go-Go has blossomed in a state that’s proving to be fertile ground for the subculture’s continued evolution. The event also attracts fans from around the country (and world), drawn to Central Florida’s robust and welcoming tourist market.

While the event has yet to encounter growing pains that have challenged other events (venue changes, pandemics, etc.), we see no signs of its popularity slowing down anytime soon. It can be daunting for newbies to negotiate the schedule’s vast array of activities, so we’ve tried to highlight some of the things we’re looking forward to below.
SEE BELOW: Our Top 5 highlights | Basic daily schedule

Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 event artwork by Shag.
Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 event artwork by Shag.

March 27-29 – Tiki-a-Go-Go at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. Featuring symposiums and classes (Shag, Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily, Sven Kirsten, Tiki Tony Murphy, Spike Marble, Garret Richard, Marie King, Tim “Swanky” Glazner, Henrik & Denise Van Ryzin, “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller, Scott “Flounder” Scheidly, et al.), guest cocktail bars and bartenders, live music (Los Straitjackets, The Neanderthals, The Sound Minds, The Swingin’ Palms, Skinny Jimmy Stingray), supper club, burlesque, artists and vendors, and more.
• Bonus event: Magical Tiki Meet Up on March 29 at the Magic Kingdom and Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World.
• Tiki-a-Go-Go on social media: Instagram | YouTube | Facebook page and group

Last year’s event built on the success of the first, welcoming many top experts in their respective fields, plus some longtime favorite performers (Tikiyaki Orchestra, The Intoxicators, et al.). Guest bars and room parties kicked the nightly parties into high gear, and sponsors were abundant. The Caribe Royale is a large resort with vast convention space and a tropical environment dotted with pools and palm trees, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Not mentioned above or below is one other major strength of Tiki-a-Go-Go worth touting. The number of rum and spirits companies, bars and related industry participants is impressive, totaling around 40 sponsors. They range from Angostura to Tanduay, from Bar Tiki to The Honu, all contributing great products and aloha. More sponsors usually means more free samples and benefits for guests, which is always a good thing as event tickets don’t come cheap.

Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026: Top 5 things we don’t want to miss

In no particular order, here are five things we’re looking forward to during the whirlwind weekend.

Seminars

A focus on educational seminars on a wide range of topics is a foundational element of Tiki-a-Go-Go. The event space at the Caribe Royale allows for an extensive schedule. This includes topics as diverse as Asian Influences on Tiki Fashion (with Margo Scott) and Vintage Florida from DogLand to Skunk Apes (with Cathy Salustri), plus many deep dives into Tiki and Disney culture by notable experts.

Mixologist Dizz Fernandez makes cocktails for eager guests at Tiki-a-Go-Go 2024. This year he'll join fellow Trader Sam's skipper Kelly Merrell for a seminar on their respective enchanted Tiki bars. (Official photo)
Mixologist Dizz Fernandez makes cocktails for eager guests at Tiki-a-Go-Go 2024. This year he’ll join fellow Trader Sam’s skipper Kelly Merrell for a seminar on their respective enchanted Tiki bars. (Official photo)

The schedule includes 33 seminars and 14 classes and activities, most around an hour long, packed into 15 hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s impossible to attend them all, of course, but if you plan your day wisely you can catch some fascinating presentations about topics you enjoy.

Continue reading “Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026: The five best things at the action-packed Orlando event”

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Mai-Kai Rum No. 1: Everything you need to know about historic restaurant’s signature spirit

Mai-Kai Rum No. 1: Everything you need to know about historic restaurant's signature spirit

When the the Mai-Kai opened on the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale in 1956, the Polynesian restaurant quickly set a new standard for Tiki cocktails, earning fame for its reverential and original creations featuring fresh ingredients and perfectly balanced rum blends. This legacy continued for decades, even through a catastrophic back-of-house roof collapse that forced a four-year closing in late 2020.

Mai-Kai Rum No. 1

A $20 million restoration engineered by a new ownership group led by historic preservationist Bill Fuller not only returned the historic property and its cocktails to their high standards, it also gave the Mai-Kai the opportunity to create something most elite bar programs have never done.

To honor the legacy of the Mai-Kai and its cocktails, Fuller and his team sought to create their own heritage rum blend to bring authenticity to the iconic drinks the founders created. Years in the making, the result is Mai-Kai Old Style Special Rum No. 1, created in the Caribbean and bottled exclusively for use (and sale) at the South Florida restaurant.
New cocktail recipes below: Daiquiri No. 1 | Hammerhead Bite

The rum was released in November 2025, one year after the grand reopening. The road to the rum’s creation is long and winding, and the story is richly detailed. We’ll save that for a future blog post, but until then we’d like to share all the information you’ll need to appreciate this special spirit. The following FAQ was prepared in cooperation with the Mai-Kai and the company that handled the rum’s branding and package design, Roneros Rum Brand Makers.

Beverage director Cory Starr serves samples of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 during the release party on Nov. 28. A special display was created for the gift shop. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Beverage director Cory Starr serves samples of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 during the release party on Nov. 28. A special display was created for the gift shop. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

More on The Atomic Grog
• Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
• Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening Guide

MAI-KAI RUM NO. 1: Frequently asked questions

What is Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, aka Mai-Kai Old Style Special Rum Number 1?

A crafted, authentic blend in a mid-century style used to create the Mai-Kai’s cocktails by Mariano Licudine, master mixologist from 1956 to 1979. Dozens of his secret recipes are still featured at the restaurant today. Previous historic antecedents include the Dagger and Appleton punch rums. For more on those rums, check out this Atomic Grog story (last updated in 2021).

Hurricane Hayward shows off the Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 display in the gift shop, right next to the window into the historic back service bar. (Atomic Grog photo, February 2026)

Where can I buy it?

It’s available exclusively in the Mai-Kai Trading Company gift shop, which is open daily during restaurant hours. If you’re making a special trip to buy the rum, you can tell the valet. Check MaiKai.com and our related Mai-Kai FAQ for details.

How much does it cost?

You’ll pay $75 for a 1-liter bottle, $400 for a case of six.

Is this a limited release?

No, it will continue to be available for purchase and featured in cocktails at the Mai-Kai.

Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 is equally enjoyable served neat, or in cocktails such as the new Aloha Old Fashioned. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, December 2025)
Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 is equally enjoyable served neat, or in cocktails such as the new Aloha Old Fashioned. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, December 2025)

Is it a “sipping” or “mixing” rum?

Both. While designed as the perfect mixing rum in Mai-Kai cocktails, the complex blend is also accessible as a sipper and should appeal to fans of both.

What does it taste like?

Continue reading “Mai-Kai Rum No. 1: Everything you need to know about historic restaurant’s signature spirit”

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Mai-Kai kicks off 2026 with new food and drink menus, special events

Mai-Kai kicks off 2026 with new food and drink menus, special events

Posted March 5, updated April 28, 2026

You could forgive the owners, management and staff of the Mai-Kai for taking a deep breath and resting on their laurels in early 2026 after a spectacular 2025, the first full year back in business after a four-year hiatus and $20 million restoration of the historic South Florida restaurant. Luckily for fans of the 69-year-old Polynesian palace, that’s not the case. Not by a long shot.

More than a year after reopening, the Mai-Kai's lush landscaping is thriving. The signature cannibal carvings bid guests farewell. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, February 2026)
More than a year after reopening, the Mai-Kai’s lush landscaping is thriving. The signature cannibal carvings bid guests farewell. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, February 2026)

Business is booming as the Mai-Kai remains laser-focused on improving the cocktails, food and entire guest experience. Last year ended with a bang, culminating with a memorable anniversary celebration featuring more than 20 past on-stage performers from the Mai-Kai Islanders. This came on the heels of an elaborate themed overlay and creative cocktail menu for the Christmas holidays.
• 2025 Mai-Kai recaps: Exclusive ongoing coverage | Bar and cocktail news

The new year brought a new selection of modern tropical drinks, plus some creative takes on old classics. Also in January, the Mai-Kai launched a weekly schedule of themed specials, including In the Biz Mondays, Tiki Tuesdays, Wahine Wednesdays, and Karaoke Night on Thursdays. Live bands continue to entertain Molokai Bar guests on Fridays, and more activities for kids are part of the early Sunday festivities (along with a monthly meet-up for classic car owners.)

Skinny Jimmy Stingray and his band perform in the Molokai on Feb. 27. They return to rock the bar on March 20. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Skinny Jimmy Stingray and his band perform in the Molokai on Feb. 27. They return to rock the bar on March 20. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

Jump to the latest news below
• Cocktail menu: Modern tropics added, classics enhanced | New drink ratings
• Food menu: Breaking down the latest updates
• Preview, recap: Weekly and special events

A new food menu was introduced in February, updated with a half-dozen new dishes from chef Justin Sherrer. The Mai-Kai hosted several high-profile events, starting with a Miami Rum Congress pre-party featuring multiple rum brands and special tastings. During the nationally acclaimed South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Sherrer participated in Miami while general manager and beverage director Cory Starr hosted a sold-out Tiki cocktail master class in the Bora Bora Bar.

Bartender Justin Rivera leads guests in creating cocktails during a master class hosted by the Mai-Kai as part of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival on Feb. 21. Students created their own garnish. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Bartender Justin Rivera leads guests in creating cocktails during a master class hosted by the Mai-Kai as part of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival on Feb. 21. Students created their own garnish. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

This story will cover all of the above while also offering a preview of upcoming events, plus more. Stay tuned for stories on other major projects around the Mai-Kai property, including the restoration of a 60-year-old tiki icon and construction of a new event center and back-of-house facilities.

Continue reading “Mai-Kai kicks off 2026 with new food and drink menus, special events”

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Gone too soon: Danny ‘Tiki Diablo’ Gallardo left indelible mark on Polynesian Pop revival

Gone too soon: Danny 'Tiki Diablo' Gallardo left indelible mark on Polynesian Pop revival

Updated Feb. 28

If life isn’t fair, then death is even less so. And if cancer is involved, it’s totally indiscriminate. That’s the only explanation for the devastating loss suffered by the Tiki community when artist extraordinaire Danny Gallardo passed away on Feb. 5 at age 54.

Tiki Diablo, with wife Stephanie Mehr, shows off his mugs in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar at The Hukilau 2016. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Tiki Diablo, with wife Stephanie Mehr, shows off his mugs in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar at The Hukilau 2016. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

The Los Angeles-based carver, ceramicist, designer and builder known around the world as Tiki Diablo created a body of work that spans a quarter century and touched nearly everyone involved in the subculture born in his native Southern California. That explains the overwhelming outpouring of grief, shock and loving remembrances that flooded social media in the weeks following the sad announcement by Danny’s wife of 25 years, Stephanie Mehr.

“It was the greatest privilege of my life to be married to a badass man who wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything, and who could figure out just about everything,” she wrote. “He was my safe place, and I didn’t need anyone else, and neither did he.”

“His legacy will live on through Tiki Diablo,” Stephanie wrote. “With family beside me, we’ll continue what we started.” For updates, follow the Tiki Diablo pages on Instagram and Facebook. You can purchase mugs, pendants, shirts and more in the Tiki Diablo online store.

An obituary posted Feb. 27 by the Santa Barbara Independent announced a mass in his honor to be celebrated on March 6 with a reception to follow. The story summed up his legacy nicely:

Though his passing leaves an immeasurable void, Daniel’s legacy lives on in the intricate beauty of his artwork, and in the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed. His spirit remains carved not only in wood, but in the hearts of all who loved him.

Tiki Diablo obituary

Danny was a man loaded not only with talent and integrity, but an unflinching positivity and kindness, a true friend to countless others and someone remembered for his giant heart and wicked sense of humor. Whether you knew him for decades or just met, his influence was the same. Good vibes, aloha spirit, and a willingness to go beyond the superficial to make a true difference.

When Tiki bars around the country were wracked by the COVID pandemic and facing an uncertain future, Danny lifted their spirits by creating special mugs and shipping them out, free of charge. The stories are endless, so we’ve tried to include as many as we can at the end of this story.
MORE BELOW: The mugs of Tiki Diablo | Friends, fans remember Danny Gallardo

California-based sculptor, carver and designer Danny Gallardo (aka Tiki Diablo) at The Hukilau 2019. (Photo by Robert Jimenez)
California-based sculptor, carver and designer Danny Gallardo (aka Tiki Diablo) at The Hukilau 2019. (Photo by Robert Jimenez)

He was one of the giants of the Tiki art world, but always humble. Even when his work entered the mainstream in 2015 and was featured as a special line of products available in 600 Home Depot stores, Danny didn’t toot his own horn. His work spoke for him, loud and clear, and sold out in a matter of weeks.

Danny began his career in the early 2000s in the early years of the Polynesian Pop revival, originally using the name Chiki Tiki. Once he established himself as Tiki Diablo, he quickly became known for his custom carvings, immersive bar interiors and distinctive mugs that pay reverence to authentic Polynesian art in a way no other artist was doing.

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Miami Rum Congress expands to include more events and spirited education

Miami Rum Congress expands to include more events and spirited education

Updated Feb. 14

Since launching in 2019, Miami Rum Congress has strategically expanded from its humble beginnings, moving from a small event center to a resort beachside hotel, then to the state-of-the-art Miami Beach Convention Center in 2024. The festival continues to grow and add related activities and days, culminating this year with the first Rhum Week Miami, running Thursday through Monday, Feb. 5-9.
Jump below: Pre-party, seminar at the Mai-Kai | Rum Congress highlights
• Tiki Master Cocktail Competition | More rum events
Social media coverage: Photos, video from Miami Rum Congress and related events UPDATED

Miami Rum Congress

Miami Rum Congress 2026 – Feb. 6-8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
• Quick links: Tickets | Overview, FAQ | Speakers & special guests | Rum 101

More than 600 rum producers, bartenders, brands and enthusiasts are expected for the seventh annual event organized by Federico Hernandez and The Rum Lab, which also produces events in Puerto Rico, Chicago, New York, and elsewhere around the U.S. and Europe. [Past event photos] The Rhum Week schedule includes events from Fort Lauderdale to Key Biscayne, allowing more people to get a taste of great rums and cocktails from some of the industry’s top brands and VIPs.

The centerpiece remains the official Rum Congress seminars on Friday and “Grand Tasting” on Saturday at the convention center in the heart of South Beach. Experts from around the world will participate in eight seminars, while the tasting rooms will feature more than 85 brands offering samples of some 200 distinct rum expressions, available neat and in a “Twisted Daiquiri.”

Rhum Barbancourt (Haiti) and Rhum Clement (Martinique) were two of many brands participating in last year's Miami Rum Congress. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 1, 2025)
Rhum Barbancourt (Haiti) and Rhum Clement (Martinique) were two of many brands participating in last year’s Miami Rum Congress. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Feb. 1, 2025)

Mai-Kai pre-party to include seminar, rare Tahiti rum release

Rhum Week activities kick off Thursday (Feb. 5) at the historic Mai-Kai in Oakland Park, northwest of Fort Lauderdale. The restaurant’s Bora Bora and Molokai bars will host the South Seas Soiree, presented by the Florida Rum Society in association with Planteray Rum. The event will feature a talk by master blender Alexandre Gabriel along with complimentary tastings.

The rum society will also celebrate a special new release, produced by Down Island Spirits and sourced from Tahiti. It’s the perfect location to launch the Maiden Voyage expression, believed to be the first Tahitian single barrel rum ever sold in the United States. The Mai-Kai’s founding Thornton family has deep ties to Tahiti. The 69-year-old Tiki temple features artwork from the Pacific island, plus authentic music and dance as part of the nightly Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii).

Miami Rum Congress pre-party to include seminar, new release

Gabriel will discuss “the technical secrets behind the blends designed to match the high-octane energy of the Mai-Kai’s iconic cocktail program while meeting the exacting needs of the modern drink-smith,” according to an event invitation. Guests will also get a taste of Planteray’s Mister Fogg Sail No. 2, an inventive new blend that follows the historic methods of Britain’s Royal Navy rum.

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Countdown to Don the Beachcomber biography begins with fundraiser, early special edition

Countdown to Don the Beachcomber biography begins with fundraiser, early special edition

Updated Feb. 22

Much has been revealed in recent years about Donn Beach (aka Don the Beachcomber), considered to be the godfather of 20th century Tiki culture. But we still don’t have a complete picture of the life and times of the enigmatic bootlegger-turned-restaurateur, who opened the first faux Polynesian bar in the 1930s and influenced countless imitators. That’s all about to change.
Preview the book below: Images and sample pages | Video
Bonus cocktail recipe: Beachcomber’s Silver

The back and front covers of the upcoming book, Searching for Don the Beachcomber.
The back and front covers of the upcoming book, Searching for Don the Beachcomber.

Years in the making, the 208-page biography Searching for Don the Beachcomber will hit bookshelves in 2026, researched and written by Tiki historian Tim “Swanky” Glazner and published by London-based Korero Press. The hardcover book is due to be shipped April, and fans jumped at the chance to secure a special edition via a Kickstarter campaign that launched Jan. 20. More than $45,000 was raised in the first a week, smashing all goals. The total when the campaign ended was more than $60,000 (£45,230).

Early backers received several special rewards, including first-edition copies with an exclusive signed bookplate. A limited-edition mug by Eekum Bookum featuring Beach’s signature cannibal carvings sold out fast, and a second batch with a different glaze was added. The mug and book are now available for pre-order via the official website, along with 8×10 prints of Beach.

Glazner is co-founder of The Hukilau in the early 2000s and author of Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant (2016, Schiffer). It was during the research for that book that he starting uncovering fascinating facts and stories about the man who started life in 1907 as a Texan named Ernest Gantt and ended in 1989 in Honolulu as a lifelong supporter of authentic South Pacific culture.

Over those 82 years, Beach reinvented not only himself but America’s perception and appreciation of Pan-Pacific people. The book covers his entire life, including fascinating details and stories about his early years, which have remain shrouded in mystery. As it turns out, most of the tall tales and myths that have long surrounded Donn Beach were created and embellished by the man himself. But one thing is clear, Beach always lived up to his motto: “If you can’t get to paradise, I’ll bring it to you.”

Donn Beach in Hawaii, circa 1939 (left) and 1950. (Phoebe Beach archive)
Donn Beach in Hawaii, circa 1939 (left) and 1950. (Phoebe Beach archive)

In Searching for Don the Beachcomber, Glazer does his best to separate fact from fiction, but he also lets Beach’s rich archive of personal documents speak for themselves. The biography was made possible when Beach’s widow, Phoebe Beach, donated his personal papers, photos and other materials that she had been saving for the past 30+ years. Glazner has said they will end up in the collections of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, which celebrates the history and culture of Hawaii and the Pacific.

Beach is best known today as the “Inventor of the Tiki Bar,” as the book’s subtitle states, a uniquely mainland American invention that he crafted in the shadow of 1930s Hollywood movie studios. But fate later brought the enterprising entrepreneur to the South Seas, where he spent most of the second half of his life, running namesake restaurants and spearheading projects that included the International Market Place in Waikiki. He was also a decorated veteran of World War II, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army Air Force.

Don Beach's military career in World War II is detailed in Searching for Don the Beachcomber. He's pictured above in Italy in 1943. (Phoebe Beach archive)
Don Beach’s military career in World War II is detailed in Searching for Don the Beachcomber. He’s pictured above in Italy in 1943. (Phoebe Beach archive)

Throughout his lifetime, Beach ignored racial barriers by quietly hiring and promoting staff who were immigrants from many Pacific and southeast Asian countries, decades before civil rights legislation was a reality. Reading Searching for Don the Beachcomber will give you a much more in-depth picture of not only the creativity, but the integrity and vision of Donn Beach.

Glazner details many significant storylines, including Beach’s unusual relationship with his first wife, Sunny Sund, and their precarious association with organized crime. The book is also chock full of more than 200 rare images and documents from Beach’s archives, plus an appendix that includes many of the influential mixologist’s original recipes from the 1930s and ’40s.

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