Category: History

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Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and exclusive insights, 2024-2025

Mai-Kai cocktail news, June 2025

Updated Jan. 3, 2026
We hope this running story, compiled throughout 2025, helps quench your thirst for detailed information, photos and deep dives into the cocktails served at the Mai-Kai restaurant in South Florida, est. 1956. Below you’ll find reports by journalist Jim “Hurricane” Hayward along with news and official updates passed along by beverage director Cory Starr as he resurrected the storied bar program, originally developed by legendary mixologist Mariano Licudine. This page served as a supplement to our Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide as we enjoyed the the Mai-Kai’s grand reopening. In 2026, get ready for all new reviews and recipes at the link above, or MaiKaiCocktailGuide.com. If you’re looking for more on the restaurant’s restoration and reopening in 2024-2025, along with anything beyond the cocktails and bar program, check out this related story.
• Jump straight to the news archive below

SNEAK PREVIEW: All the Mai-Kai cocktails rated; reviews and updated recipes coming soon
Okole Maluna Society 2.0: All the Mai-Kai cocktails ranked
Check out the sneak preview of our updated ratings, and stay tuned for new reviews and recipes, coming soon.
SEE THE RANKINGS: Updated rundown of 50+ Mai-Kai cocktails

More Atomic Grog coverage
• Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening: Full story and photo archive

Official sites and social media
• MaiKai.com | Facebook page | Instagram
Facebook group: Friends of the Mai-Kai
• Instagram: Classics of the Mai-Kai
The Atomic Grog: AtomicGrog.com | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

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2024-2025 Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news

• Vintage cocktails return for 69th anniversary, more news
• The Mai-Kai’s Christmas cocktails explored: Ratings, reviews and insights
• Holiday treats come early with release of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, Christmas Rum Barrel
• Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 set for Black Friday release
• Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 to make a splash during 2025 Miami Rum Festival
• Hulaween recap, tribute recipe (photos, video)
• Halloween cocktails invade the Mai-Kai for October
• New cocktails and Cannibal mug revealed, Rum No. 1 on the way (August-September)
• New secret bar menu, Rum Barrel mugs are back (July-August)
• The Hukilau brings special events, guest bartenders (June)
• Bars welcome special guests, live music, new cocktails (May)
• Cocktails at events near and far, new menus coming soon (April)
• Mai-Kai joins spirits festival, welcomes brands for cocktail and rum tasting events (March)
• New Bora Bora Bar menu just a taste things to come (February)
• Beverage director Cory Starr interviewed on Shift Drink Podcast
• Photos & video: Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist

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Zula #1 (left) and Last Rites, two classic cocktails from the Mai-Kai's 1956 menu served at the 69th anniversary event on Dec. 28. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Zula #1 (left) and Last Rites, two classic cocktails from the Mai-Kai’s 1956 menu served at the 69th anniversary event on Dec. 28. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

Vintage cocktails return for 69th anniversary, more news

Posted Jan. 3

The icing on the cake at the 69th anniversary celebration was a special menu of three historic cocktails, available in both the Bora Bora and Molokai bars. They were priced at $19.56 in honor of the Mai-Kai’s original opening date, but happy hour prices were in effect from 4 to 7 p.m., and we made sure to try all three.
Photos, video: Mai-Kai legends return to the stage for 69th anniversary celebration

Two of the drinks date back to the original 1956 menu. One of them, Zula #1, was only recently retired when the Mai-Kai reopened in November 2024. It was one of two classics dropped from the reopening day menu.

Don's Own Grog, a rare cocktail available at the Mai-Kai's 69th anniversary event on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Don’s Own Grog, a rare cocktail available at the Mai-Kai’s 69th anniversary event on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

The other was Last Rites, another Mai-Kai classic that can be traced back to one of the groundbreaking tropical drinks created by Don the Beachcomber in the 1930s and ’40s. This is a personal favorite of beverage director Cory Starr, who brought it back at several special events over the past year. We last tried it at The Hukilau finale at the Mai-Kai in June.

The most rare was Don’s Own Grog, which pre-dates the Mai-Kai and was discovered by Starr in original mixologist Mariano Licudine’s secret notebook of Don the Beachcomber recipes. It was also featured at The Hukilau event, but using different rums. All three of these revived classics featured a healthy dose of the just-released Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, giving them added punch and spotlighting the new spirit designed to harken back to those golden days of Tiki cocktails.
Related: Holiday treats come early with release of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, Christmas Rum Barrel

Last Rites was our favorite, better than the previous versions made with premium rums. Rum No. 1 seems to bring perfect balance to this classic that agricole rums don’t. Not far behind was Don’s Own Grog, another great spotlight for the rum featuring bold cinnamon (perhaps Angostura bitters), lime and blackberry notes. Zula was very solid, but it veered a bit from the original with an overly boozy profile that obscured the distinctive pineapple and anise flavors. Starr told us later that he and bar manager Michael DeMahy had a challenge getting the rum blend correct, but I’m sure they’ll figure it out in time for its next appearance.

Mai-Kai beverage director Cory Starr (left) and bar manager Michael DeMahy host a special event featuring Spiribam products in the Bora Bora Bar on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Mai-Kai beverage director Cory Starr (left) and bar manager Michael DeMahy host a special event featuring Spiribam products in the Bora Bora Bar on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

Starr and DeMahy have lots of plans for the cocktail program in 2026, including a new menu for the Molokai Bar with more of a craft cocktail focus. But unlike the Bora Bora Bar, which has featured more modern-style cocktails, the older bar will take more of a classic Mai-Kai approach in keeping with its vintage theming.

DeMahy said they want to take “the classic Mariano, Trader Vic, Don the Beachcomber style cocktails and re-envision them as if they were alive today.” He said it will be “more of a modern twist, but paying homage to the history and the style.”

“You have to reset your mind and say, ‘I’m paying homage to these classics,’ but how would they think if they lived here today with the products that are now available versus what was available back then,” DeMahy added. “I’m very excited to start working on it.” The menu is still in the very early stages of development, however, with tentative plans for a release no earlier than the third quarter of the year.

Continue reading “Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and exclusive insights, 2024-2025”

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Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans

Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans

In what amounts to a very expensive but insightful research-and-development project, the owners of the Don the Beachcomber brand have decided not to reopen the namesake restaurant and bar in Madeira Beach, which launched with great fanfare in February but was severely damaged by dual hurricanes that slammed Florida’s Gulf Coast in September and October.

Takeaways from this story
• Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach will be replaced by the Tiki Docks concept. [MORE]
• Brand owner 23 Restaurant Services is accelerating the rollout of Gantt Reserve Collection bars. [MORE]
• A flagship Don the Beachcomber is still on track for Central Florida. [MORE]
• Author plans more Donn Beach books after biography is released. [MORE]
• New custom mugs available in online store. [MORE]
Bonus cocktail recipe: Tribute to Marie King’s The Seminole Heights

Don the Beachcomber presentation at Inuhele 2025

“There’s no reason to be concerned about the health of the brand moving forward, or whether or not we’re going to opening any more restaurants,” creative director Justin Peterson told a crowd of concerned Tikiphiles at the Inuhele weekender in Atlanta on Jan. 25. “Every project we had in the pipeline is still going forward. On top of that, we have stuff we can’t even talk about today, exciting stuff that is going to blow your mind when we get around to it.”

Peterson and beverage director Marie King broke the news on behalf of parent company 23 Restaurant Services, which added the legendary Tiki concept to its portfolio of a half-dozen brands in 2022. After dispensing with the Madeira Beach update – which Peterson admitted was “a total bummer” – the pair spent the remainder of their 45-minute seminar getting us up to speed on the company’s more positive advancements related to Tiki’s founding father, Donn Beach, aka Don the Beachcomber.

This includes an aggressive rollout of more small cocktail-focused bars in the Gantt Reserve Collection, an umbrella grouping of speakeasies that pay homage to Beach’s given name (Ernest Raymond Gantt). The first, Morgan’s Cove, made its debut in downtown Tampa in July. The next location may open in Plantation, west of Fort Lauderdale, in early 2026. All will have unique names and theming related to their location.
Past coverage: Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan’s Cove speakeasy in Tampa

The loss of the Madeira Beach restaurant, which will be replaced by the company’s more streamlined and tropical-themed Tiki Docks, will mean that the company will be without a branded Don the Beachcomber restaurant until what promises to be a spectacular new venue opens in Hamlin, just north of Walt Disney World, in 2026. From all accounts, it will be worth the wait. In the meantime, the pair spoke of keeping the brand in the public eye with pop-up appearances and an impressive array of merchandise.

Don the Beachcomber biographer Tim "Swanky" Glazner (left) joined creative director Justin Peterson and beverage director Marie King for a presentation on the state of the brand at Inuhele in Atlanta. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Jan. 25, 2025)
Don the Beachcomber biographer Tim “Swanky” Glazner (left) joined creative director Justin Peterson and beverage director Marie King for a presentation on the state of the brand at Inuhele in Atlanta. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Jan. 25, 2025)

Author Tim “Swanky” Glazner, whose long-awaited biography (Searching for Don the Beachcomber) is on track for a fall 2025 release, joined his friends to talk about the book and reassure the Inuhele attendees that Beach’s legacy remains in good hands. “I believe they’re going to do a great job,” Glazner said of not only King and Peterson, but the entire 23 Restaurant Services team.

The presentation was perhaps the most information-packed and definitely produced the most breaking news from the entire event. Inuhele celebrated its sixth gathering of the tribe at a new venue (the Omni hotel) in downtown Atlanta with three days of symposiums, a Tiki marketplace, live entertainment, cocktail and rum tastings, room parties, and much more. A highlight was a luau and live music at another historic Tiki venue, the vintage Trader Vic’s that dates back to 1976.
Related coverage: Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse

Following is a detailed breakdown on what we learned from Peterson, King and Glazner during the symposium. Please note that there are no set dates for any of the upcoming projects, just estimated dates as detailed below. Peterson wanted to make clear that these can change on a daily basis. So temper your expectations, but know that progress is being made.

Continue reading “Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans”

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Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse

Event preview: Inuhele and Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse

Updated March 24, 2025

From humble beginnings, Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend has risen to become one of the must-visit events of the year for tikiphiles, an alternative to the many summer events and an eclectic mix of modern and vintage art, music and culture. The sixth annual weekender returns Jan 24-26 at the downtown Omni hotel, with Saturday night’s luau and live music at the historic Trader Vic’s nearby.

Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration NEW
Attendees at Inuhele 2025 in Atlanta enjoyed an exclusive look at the reimagination and revival of the historic restaurant during a special multimedia presentation featuring photos, video and inside tips. Check out slideshow highlights, plus two walk-through videos with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller.
DEEP DIVE: The renovation and reopening of the Mai-Kai
LIVE COVERAGE: Don the Beachcomber news, plus photos and video on social media
• Take 5: Q&A with co-founder and organizer Jonathan Chaffin

Artist Derek Yaniger and some of the official mugs at Inuhele 2023. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)
Artist Derek Yaniger and some of the official mugs at Inuhele 2023. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

Jan 24-26 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Olympic Park and Trader Vic’s. Featuring expert symposiums, artists and vendor marketplace, live music and entertainment, authentic luau, rum and cocktail tastings, plus more.
Quick link: Get your tickets now

Advance sales end Wednesday (Jan. 15) at 11:59 p.m., so don’t miss out. Weekend passes, priced at $225, may be available at the event if any remain. Day passes won’t be sold. Save $50 in advance when you order a standard pass ($175) online, which includes entry to the vendor hall; panels all weekend; live contests, bands and shows; live demos; the Big Uke Jam, Caftan Strut, Swizzle Swap, and more. Already sold out is the VIP pass, which includes entry to Thursday’s welcome party, early entry to the vending hall, a ticket to the Saturday night luau, a VIP swag bag, plus other VIP events.

What started as a bus tour of the city’s vibrant home Tiki bars in 2018 has evolved into a full-blown convention-style event in a city known for its pop-culture conventions. Like many of those fan-centric gatherings, Inuhele puts guests and VIPs into the same immersive fishbowl together. Like other Tiki conventions, the atmosphere is based on a shared love of Polyesian Pop art and culture.

The annual Swizzle Swap, as seen in 2023, is a staple at Inuhele. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The annual Swizzle Swap, as seen in 2023, is a staple at Inuhele. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

Inuhele has relocated to the Omni after one year at the Marriott Century Center and the past four years at the Atlanta Sheraton Downtown. Located in the heart of the Centennial Park District (built for the 1996 Olympics), the hotel is also adjacent to State Farm Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center. In addition to skyline views, guests can enjoy many nearby attractions (World of Coca Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Center for Civil and Human Rights, Center for Puppetry Arts). The pet-friendly hotel also boasts a heated pool, fitness center, plus three restaurants.

It’s just 1.3 miles to the Hilton Atlanta and its famous subterranean Trader Vic’s, est. 1976. One of the last remaining restaurants built during the lifetime of company founder Victor Bergeron, the vintage space is notable for its decor and artwork, which remain relatively unchanged after nearly 50 years.
• Venerable Trader Vic’s brand marks 90 years with a return to its roots

The Frigidaires from Atlanta will perform Saturday night at Trader Vic's. (Official photo)
The Frigidaires from Atlanta will perform Saturday night at Trader Vic’s. (Official photo)

Check out our interview below with Jonathan Chaffin, who founded Inuhele with his wife, Allison. Together, they also run Horror In Clay, producing horror-themed Tiki mugs, barware, art, and accessories. The couple likes to keep the event very much a family-run passion project, and it shows. Their self-funded FlipKat Productions depends on ticket sales to pay for the event, along with a growing list of sponsors.

Event sponsors for 2025 include Trader Vic’s, Don the Beachcomber; The Bamboo Room Tiki Bar; Tiki Underground; The Luau Lads and Lark’s Head Rum; Spiribam (Chairman’s Reserve, Rhum J.M, Clement Rhum); Tandauy Rum; Bacardi (Bacardi Ocho, Santa Teresa 1796, Havana Club); Hilton Head Distillery; BG Reynolds Cocktail Syrups; Tip Top Cocktails, Fresca Mixed; Cerveza Pacifico beer; Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co.; Black Lagoon Coffee; and Uke Republic.

LIVE COVERAGE: Don the Beachcomber news, plus photos and video on social media

Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
Get the official scoop from creative director Justin Peterson and beverage director and Marie King, revealed during a presentation at Inuhele in Atlanta with author Tim “Swanky” Glazner.
• Full coverage of the past, present, and future of the iconic brand
Takeaways from this story
• Don the Beachcomber won’t reopen in Madeira Beach
• Rollout of Gantt Reserve Collection bars accelerating
• Flagship restaurant still on track for Orlando area
• Author plans more Donn Beach books after biography
• New custom mugs available in online store
Bonus cocktail recipe: Tribute to Marie King’s The Seminole Heights

Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration NEW
Attendees at Inuhele 2025 in Atlanta enjoyed an exclusive look at the reimagination and revival of the historic restaurant during a special multimedia presentation featuring photos, video and inside tips. Check out slideshow highlights, plus two walk-through videos with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller.
DEEP DIVE: The renovation and reopening of the Mai-Kai

Take 5 with Jonathan Chaffin

With minimal editing for space and clarity, here’s an insightful Q&A with the co-founder of Inuhele.

Jonathan Chaffin with Hurricane Hayward at Inuhele 2023. (Atomic Grog photos)
Jonathan Chaffin with Hurricane Hayward at Inuhele 2023. (Atomic Grog photos)

Question: This will be the sixth Inuhele weekender. How do you think the event and the Atlanta Tiki scene have evolved since the first event in 2019?

Continue reading “Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse”

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Iconic restaurants revived: Don the Beachcomber, Mai-Kai, Trader Vic’s are top Tiki stories of 2024

Iconic restaurants revived: Don the Beachcomber, Mai-Kai, Trader Vic's are top Tiki stories of 2024

Updated Feb. 9, 2025

Annual retrospectives always include some bittersweet news alongside the happy achievements, and 2024 was no different. We sadly said farewell to some legends as well as a few beloved watering holes. But there was much to celebrate as new Tiki establishments opened and events were launched. The good certainly overshadowed the bad at the top of the list. Three major storylines dominated the year in Tiki, and we’re happy to report that 2025 promises to be even better for three iconic names that are poised for their biggest years in recent history.
Related: The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video
Bonus cocktail recipe: The Dirty Banana by Mike “Jetsetter” Jones

1. (TIE) CLASSIC TIKI REBORN: The Mai-Kai reopens after $20M restoration, Don the Beachcomber brand resurrected in Florida

The Mai-Kai and Don the Beachcomber

It was impossible to choose one of these two highly significant events as the top story of the year, so we’re declaring it a tie. The importance of both cannot be understated. When all is said and done, this may qualify as the top story of the decade. Imagine a future without the Mai-Kai, and Don the Beachcomber just a figure in books and movies.

In mid-2021, we were still mired in the pandemic, the Mai-Kai had been closed for nearly a year and had yet to find new owners, and we had no clue that the historic Don the Beachcomber name had been acquired by a little-known restaurant group from Tampa.

By September of that year, the Mai-Kai was sold two a new ownership group, becoming the No. 2 story of the year. In 2022, the historic South Florida restaurant was in the midst of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar reimagination that grabbed the No. 5 slot. By 2023, Don the Beachcomber grabbed headlines (and the No. 2 top story) with an ambitious announcement of a revival of the brand by 23 Restaurant Services. The massive Mai-Kai renovation efforts, which we documented in great detail, was No. 4.

LIVE COVERAGE & REVIEW: Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success
Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach was the first location to open as part of a planned national rollout of the iconic brand. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

Which brings us to 2024, when both stories deservedly bolted to the top slot. Don the Beachcomber made news first, opening its first new restaurant Feb. 23 in Madeira Beach on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast. The full-service restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Cambria Hotel just blocks from the beach, was designed by Daniel “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo and a crew of artists and craftspeople. The cocktails are in the highly capable hands of beverage director Marie King.
• Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber grand opening in Florida is a smashing success

In April, the team behind the ambitious brand re-launch took the stage at Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando to offer a sneak preview of new locations planned for Florida, plus a new “brand within a brand” called the Gantt Reserve Collection from Don the Beachcomber. These smaller, speakeasy-style venues will allow the company to more swiftly expand. While the next large restaurant – a flagship location just north of Disney World in Central Florida – isn’t expected until at least 2025, the company was able to turn the key on its first cocktail-centric bar just three months later.
• Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber announces new bar concept, upcoming locations in Florida

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan's Cove speakeasy in Tampa
Morgan’s Cove in Tampa is the first Gantt Reserve Collection bar from Don the Beachcomber. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)

Morgan’s Cove, featuring a whimsical seafaring design executed perfectly by Gallardo and his team, swung open its secret door on July 18 on downtown Tampa’s Morgan Street. The city’s long history of pirate lore makes the theme a perfect fit. King rose to the challenge with a menu of elevated classic cocktails and unique takes on Donn Beach’s vision.
• Previous coverage: Don the Beachcomber launches Morgan’s Cove speakeasy in Tampa

All that momentum came to a crashing halt in September. Hurricane Helene slammed the Gulf Coast, causing extensive damage to many homes and businesses, including Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach. The restaurant unfortunately fell victim to a perfect storm of unfortunate circumcstances. It was announced in January that it would not be reopening, but would be transformed into the sister concept, Tiki Docks.

That doesn’t mean the Don the Beachcomber brand is slowing its expansion. It’s just a temporary step back. Many new venues are coming soon, as we learned at Inuhele 2025:

Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
NEW: Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
Get the official scoop from creative director Justin Peterson and beverage director and Marie King, revealed during a presentation at Inuhele in Atlanta with author Tim “Swanky” Glazner.
• Full coverage of the past, present, and future of the iconic brand

Don the Beachcomber restaurants: Official website | Online store | Facebook | Instagram
Morgan’s Cove: Official website | Instagram

Florida Tiki weathers an unwelcome 2024 hurricane season, poised for promising 2025
• Previous coverage: Florida Tiki weathers an unwelcome 2024 hurricane season, poised for promising 2025

Meanwhile on Florida’s southeast coast just north of Fort Lauderdale, work was progressing on the Mai-Kai, built in 1956 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. It closed in late October 2020 after a roof collapse took out the 1970s-era kitchen and revealed an aging structure in need of a lot of TLC. And, it turns out, even more money and time than projected. Luckily, the new ownership group led by historic preservationist Bill Fuller of Miami’s Barlington Group has deep pockets and even more patience.

Far from your typical restaurant restoration, this project demanded a high level of expertise. Creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller rose to the challenge, joined by a team of artists and longtime manager Kern Mattei. The excitement level started to build in June, when guests of The Hukilau received exclusive tours of some of the newly restored areas, including the Molokai Bar and showroom.
• Previous coverage: Inside the Molokai Bar and tour of the Mai-Kai restoration

The Mai-Kai showroom comes back to life during the grand reopening on Nov. 21. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The Mai-Kai showroom comes back to life during the grand reopening on Nov. 21. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

With a fall reopening in sight, hiring began in August, including performers for a rebooted version of the Polynesian Islander Revue, the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii). In September, Cory Starr (formerly of Tiki Tatsu-Ya in Austin and Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago) was named beverage director, overseeing one of Tiki’s most storied bar programs.
• Previous coverage: Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist

Even the parking lot received a creative makeover. Designed by the architects at Orlando’s Perry-Becker Design, whose resume includes Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the arrival experience became totally immersive with new waterfalls, lush foliage and a simulated volcanic caldera. The old porte-cochère was reimagined into the Bora Bora Bar with outdoor seating and another layer of story-telling for guests to enjoy.

The big day finally arrived on Nov. 15, when the bars reopened for a series of sneak preview events. On Nov. 21, a special grand reopening ceremony featured show performers and local politicians, who joined Fuller in officially opening the doors and enjoying the debut performance of the new Polynesian review, led by cultural arts & entertainment director Teuruhei Kalaniu’i Buchin.
• Previous coverage: Latest news and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening

The Mai-Kai's outdoor Tiki garden reopened for the 68th anniversary on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
The Mai-Kai’s outdoor Tiki garden reopened for the 68th anniversary on Dec. 28. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)

The Mai-Kai has been open every day since regular service began Nov. 26, including a 68th anniversary celebration on Dec. 28. The building and grounds look fantastic, but the $20 million project is far from complete. The expansive Tiki garden reopened for the anniversary, and several rear dining rooms are still being renovated. Allsmiller has more tricks up his sleeve as his work continues in 2025, but don’t hesitate to make a pilgrimage to Tiki’s mecca, a Polynesian paradise that defied the odds and returned bigger and better than ever in 2024.

More Atomic Grog coverage
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Answers to frequently asked questions about the grand reopening

The Mai-Kai: Official website | Facebook page | Instagram
Facebook group: Friends of the Mai-Kai

Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening
EXCLUSIVE: Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening Guide
Check out all past news, photos, video and deep details on the refurbishment and resurrection of the Polynesian palace.

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2. THE DONN OF TIKI: Fans flock to premieres, boost film’s profile

The Donn of Tiki

The godfather of Tiki, Don the Beachcomber (aka Donn Beach), finally got his due in 2024 with the long-awaited public debut of The Donn of Tiki on the film festival circuit in April. By the end of the year, it had made the rounds at more than a half-dozen events and garnered numerous awards. In September, Kickstarter contributors were able to screen the movie at home.

Continue reading “Iconic restaurants revived: Don the Beachcomber, Mai-Kai, Trader Vic’s are top Tiki stories of 2024”

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The Tiki Times: Preview the 2025 calendar of events

The Tiki Times: Preview the 2025 calendar of events

The Tiki Times

Save these dates now and make plans for a full year of major events across the world of Tiki culture. We’ll also keep you posted on many worldwide gatherings for fans of rum, lowbrow and mid-century modern art, surf and rockabilly music, plus some Disney events and anything of general interest to the Tiki community.

The Tiki Times calendar
Check back all year for all the latest happenings on the main calendar page, including online and ongoing events, plus recaps featuring photos and video.
• Online events, vlogs | Ongoing live events | Special events

The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video
The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video
Several new events made a splash in 2024 while all the major Tiki weekenders remain strong and vital.
• Iconic restaurants revived: Don the Beachcomber, Mai-Kai, Trader Vic’s are top Tiki stories of 2024

Social media: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

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NOTE: THIS LIST IS NO LONGER UPDATED. Go to the main Tiki Times page for further updates, plus recaps of all the major events.

2025 LIVE SPECIAL EVENTS

Note: Event dates are subject to change; check with the venue to confirm.

Jan. 18 – 90 Years of Paradise at Trader Vic’s Munich.

Jan. 18 – Rockabillaque Florida at the Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee.

Jan. 18-19 – A Tiki Marketplace at the Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach, Calif.

A Tiki Marketplace

Jan. 19 – Slack Key Festival in Redondo Beach, Calif.

Jan. 19 – South Bay Island Fair in Redondo Beach, Calif.

Jan 24-26 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend

Event preview: Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse
Event preview: Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse NEW
The sixth annual weekender returns Jan 24-26 with expert symposiums, artists and vendor marketplace, live music and entertainment, authentic luau, plus more.
FULL EVENT PREVIEW, SCHEDULE, PHOTOS
• Take 5: Q&A with organizer Jonathan Chaffin
• Mai-Kai seminar, more event highlights | Daily schedule

Jan. 25 – The Original Tiki Market Place 13th Anniversary Extravaganza in Garden Grove, Calif.

Jan. 26 – Tiki shark mug release party at Swizzle in Dallas.

Jan. 26 – Winter Surf Fest in Long Beach, Calif.

Jan. 31-Feb. 1 – Miami Rum Congress at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
• TUA goes to Miami to recognize the best in the rum industry (The Rum Lab)
• Miami Rum Congress 2025 tickets go on presale (The Spirits Business)
• Social media recap: Photos, coverage of Miami Rum Congress 2024

Reexamining Golden Era Rums of the Mai Tai, Mai-Kai, and Beyond at Miami Rum Congress 2025
Friday, Jan, 31, 2025: Miami Rum Congress
Reexamining Golden Era Rums of the Mai Tai, Mai-Kai, and Beyond
NEW: Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities

Continue reading “The Tiki Times: Preview the 2025 calendar of events”

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The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video

The Year in Tiki 2024: A look back at the top events in photos, video

The Tiki Times

Several new events made a splash in 2024, from Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando in April to the Beachcomber Bash in Ocean Shores, Wash., in September. All the major Tiki weekenders remain strong and vital: Inuhele, Arizona Tiki Oasis, Tiki Caliente, The Hukilau, Exotikon, Ohana: Luau at the Lake, Tiki Oasis in San Diego, Tiki in Waikiki, et al. Meanwhile, smaller regional events cointinue to pop up and attract an audience. Among the more spirited events, rum festivals in particular seem to be experiencing a boom. The lineup from The Rum Lab now includes eight events in the U.S., Spain and Puerto Rico. We’ve also tried to include more marketplace events to the calendar, reflecting the interest in the Tiki arts that never seems to wane. Browse the photos, video and social media posts below, or click on the links for more coverage and all the official sites.
NEW: Iconic restaurants revived: Don the Beachcomber, Mai-Kai, Trader Vic’s are top Tiki stories of 2024
MORE: Florida Tiki weathers an unwelcome 2024 hurricane season, poised for promising 2025
THE TIKI TIMES 2025: Latest upcoming live and virtual events
Social media: Facebook | Instagram

THE TIKI TIMES: 2024 EVENTS RECAP

Jan 19-21 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend
* Inuhele Brings a Celebration of Tiki to Atlanta (Paste)

Jan. 20 – Coconut Grove Rum Festival in Miami.

Jan. 20 – Rockabillaque Florida at the Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee.

Rockabillaque Florida

Jan. 27 – The Original Tiki Market Place 12th anniversary show in Garden Grove, Calif.

Feb. 3 – Endless Winter Surf Fest in Long Beach, Calif.

Feb. 6-11 – Hopetown Music & Rum Festival in the Bahamas.

Feb. 9-11 – Miami Rum Congress at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

In year 5, Miami Rum Congress matures into more complex and accessible spirits event
In year 5, Miami Rum Congress matures into more complex and accessible spirits event
By moving to a major convention center on South Beach and expanding its scope, the event showed potential for an expanded audience.
Social media recap: Photos, coverage of Miami Rum Congress events

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Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history

Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history

Updated Jan. 3

For the first time since 2019, guests once again gathered for a full night of signature Mai-Kai cocktails, food and entertainment to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening on Dec. 28, 1956. Closed since October 2020, the historic South Florida landmark reopened in November 2024 after a $20 million restoration and reimagination.

Hundreds of fans enjoyed happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. in the vintage Molokai Bar and the new Bora Bora Bar outdoors under the porte-cochère. There were three dinner show seatings for the Polynesian Islander Revue at 4, 7 and 10 p.m. as the celebration continued all night.
NEW: 2024 anniversary, New Year’s Eve photos & video

Mai-Kai 68th anniversary - Dec. 28, 2024

More Atomic Grog coverage
• Mai-Kai grand reopening 2024: Answers to frequently asked questions
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Latest news and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening

The Mai-Kai, which is still in the final stages of the multi-year renovation project launched in 2022, held an anniversary party in the parking lot in 2020 after a catastrophic roof collapse over the kitchen shut down service indoors two months earlier. The popular restaurant persevered, securing new ownership and a creative team that is taking great care to meticulously restore every square inch of the 26,000-square-foot space.

In addition, ambitious new features have been added to the exterior, including a themed entryway that immediately whisks guests into an exotic tropical paradise. Opening to guests for sneak previews on Nov. 15, the Mai-Kai held its ceremonial grand reopening Nov. 21 and return of the signature dinner shows Nov. 22.

The Mai-Kai shortly after its Dec. 28, 1956, opening in a reimagined vintage postcard image. This 4-by-6-inch card, suitable for framing, is among the 15 Mai-Kai Classics postcards available in the restaurant gift shop. (Official photo)
The Mai-Kai shortly after its Dec. 28, 1956, opening in a reimagined vintage postcard image. This 4-by-6-inch card, suitable for framing, is among the 15 Mai-Kai Classics postcards available in the restaurant gift shop. (Official photo)

With an emphasis on the important activity in recent years, here’s a look back at some key dates and events over the course of the Mai-Kai’s long history:

Dec. 28, 1956 – Young and ambitious Chicago brothers Bob and Jack Thornton fulfill their dream by opening a Polynesian restaurant on a sleepy stretch of Federal Highway in Oakland Park, bordering Fort Lauderdale in South Florida. It cost $350,000 to create, reportedly the most expensive restaurant built that year. They name it Mai-Kai, which means “the best” in Hawaiian. The futuristic A-frame design is the work of acclaimed architect Charles F. McKirahan Sr. The restaurant seats 225 guests in five dining rooms and the Surfboard Bar. Key members of the team include manager Bob Van Dorpe, mixologist Mariano Licudine and chef Kenny Lee, who all come from the Don the Beachcomber location in Chicago and bring a rich institutional knowledge of the pioneering Polynesian restaurant concept.

1957 – In its first year, the Mai-Kai earns more than $1 million, making it one of the most successful restaurants of its time.

The allure of the Mystery Girl is part of the mystique of the Mystery Drink. Myrna Weber (left) was a Playboy playmate of the month in August 1958.
The allure of the Mystery Girl is part of the mystique of the Mystery Drink. Myrna Weber (left) was a Playboy playmate of the month in August 1958.

1958 – The original Molokai Bar is built on the north side of the main building, creating a new lounge for the crowds arriving for dinner. Two iconic features are added: Sarong-clad serving girls and the Mystery Drink served by the Mystery Girl.

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Cocktail recipe: Set sail for a potent holiday adventure with the Atomic Navy Nog

Cocktail recipe: Set sail for a potent holiday adventure with the Atomic Navy Nog

There’s nothing more ubiquitous during the Christmas season than a traditional eggnog, whether its a non-alcoholic version for the whole family or a boozy variation featuring whiskey, rum and/or brandy. It’s hard to mess up this holiday standard if you know what you’re doing, so we saw no need to weigh in with a unique recipe of our own. Until now.

Jeff "Beachbum" Berry serves up a tasty nog at Sippin' Santa. (Official photo)
Jeff “Beachbum” Berry serves up a tasty nog at Sippin’ Santa. (Official photo)

Over the past decade or so, we’ve tasted some excellent examples of modern nogs at the annual Miracle and Sippin’ Santa pop-up bars. In general, the craft cocktail revival has raised the bar on this formerly cringey classic that was more often served out of a carton.

Esteemed author and barkeep Jeffrey Morgenthaler is widely credited with championing eggnog with a craft cocktail slant, leading to a plethora of modern recipes. The recent explosion of local Christmas pop-ups that followed in Miracle’s wake has made the options even more plentiful.

But even in its most elevated form, eggnog is not typically a showcase for bold and aggressive rums. Kevin Crossman’s Ultimate Egg Nog is solid, but it splits the base with bourbon. Inspired by Derek Cole’s Tiki Eggnog, updated this year on his Make and Drink channel on YouTube, I sought to lean into the Tiki spices but also bring to the table the most flavor-packed (and potent) rum(s) in a classic eggnog format.

Hamilton Beachbum Berry's Navy Grog Blend (114 proof) and Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum (111.4 proof) are robust and flavorful mixing rums. (Official photos)
Hamilton Beachbum Berry’s Navy Grog Blend (114 proof) and Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum (111.4 proof) are robust and flavorful mixing rums. (Official photos)

The result is the Atomic Navy Nog, featuring not one but two Navy-style rums that have been calling my name since their release. Both Beachbum Berry’s Navy Grog Blend from Hamilton Rum and Mister Fogg Navy Rum from Planteray are outstanding mixing rums that deserve a lot more use beyond the namesake Navy Grog.

You could easily use one bottle or the other in this recipe if that’s all you have, but the 50/50 blend is surprisingly not too muddled or muted. In the Don the Beachcomber tradition, two rums are indeed better than one, even if they already are complex three- and four-country blends. To complete the link back to Donn Beach, I tried to employ some of his other favorite ingredients (cinnamon syrup, Gardenia Mix) to give the nog some depth of flavor beyond the rum.

The result, I hope, is a spicy and rummy eggnog that retains its classic form but gives rum and Tiki aficionados an extra special treat.

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Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair

Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair

Updated June 2025

This is part 1 in a series exploring the new cocktail and food menus at the historic Mai-Kai in South Florida, est. 1956. The restaurant reopened in November 2024 after four years and a $20 million restoration project that’s still ongoing. First, we’ll take a look at the menu design and esthetics. In future stories, we’ll examine the drinks and the food in depth.

Jump to more below
• The cocktail menu: Welcome back to paradise, 1950s style
• The food menus: A modern take with traditions intact
• The cannibal trio: Mai-Kai’s signature iconography

LATEST MENU UPDATES
May 2025: Bar menu updated, more appetizers added
May 2025: Mai-Kai dinner menu upgraded with more than 20 new dishes
April 2025: Mai-Kai gives food menus a major facelift with all new bar, dining room dishes
February 2025e: Bora Bora Bar menu just a taste things to come
January 2025: Tiki gardens and new dining options open as Mai-Kai menus get a refresh

The Mai-Kai's Tonga dining room offers not only a prime view of the showroom stage and the Polynesian Islander Revue, but also a display case containing traditional cannibal carvings that have been used to promote the restaurant since its 1956 opening. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Nov. 22, 2024)
The Mai-Kai’s Tonga dining room offers not only a prime view of the showroom stage and the Polynesian Islander Revue, but also a display case containing traditional cannibal carvings that have been used to promote the restaurant since its 1956 opening. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / Nov. 22, 2024)

Since the Mai-Kai celebrated its grand reopening in mid-November, fans flocking back to 3599 N. Federal Highway in Oakland Park have been dazzled by the renovation and reimagination of the 67-year-old Tiki temple. This includes a painstaking rehabilitation of the Molokai Bar, the massive showroom under the vintage 40-foot A-frame, as well as all the surrounding dining rooms and other guest areas.

Much of the interior looks as good as it has since a 1970 expansion project that marked the last major design overhaul. For this, we can thank creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller and his team of artists, including Scott “Flounder” Scheidly, Tom Fowner, and Conrad Teheiura Itchener.
• Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening: Full story and photo archive

But there are a few new additions to this throwback experience that may have escaped notice, right under the noses of many guests. The food and drink menus now boast a retro look and feel that dates all the way back to the early days of the Mai-Kai. Let’s take a closer look at menus, their links to the past, and some news on what’s coming next.

More Atomic Grog coverage
• Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and exclusive insights
• Latest news and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening
• Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai
• Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history

The cocktail menu: Welcome back to paradise, 1950s style

The Mai-Kai's updated menu features 54 cocktails, including 38 classic rum drinks and 12 new creations by head mixologist Cory Starr. Click for larger view. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, November 2024)
The Mai-Kai’s updated menu features 54 cocktails, including 38 classic rum drinks and 12 new creations by head mixologist Cory Starr. Click for larger view. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, November 2024)

It’s easy to be swept away to paradise when you open the Mai-Kai’s new cocktail menu and gaze upon more than 50 tropical drinks, many of them classics that have been frozen in time since 1956. But after you place your order for one of those delicious drinks crafted by beverage director Cory Starr and his expansive team of bartenders, take a gander at the menu’s design and artwork.

The cover art and tri-fold format is nearly identical the original 1956-57 menu, which included 43 cocktails ranging in price from 90 cents for Oh So Deadly to $2 for the signature Barrel O’ Rum. Both of those drinks are still on the menu, along with 28 others from that initial grand opening. The prices many have changed, but the recipes remain nearly identical, one of the unique features of the legendary bar.

The Mai-Kai replicated the menu design in great detail, from the distinctive logo to the familiar artwork of three cannibal tiki carvings. The wood grain and folding panels are meant to simulate the Mai-Kai’s original front doors. We don’t have a copy of the original menu, but images posted online during an eBay sale show virtually the same cover and inside layout from 1957:

The Mai-Kai's new 2024 cocktail menu was designed to look very much like this original menu from 1956-57, including the same cover and vintage-style images.
The Mai-Kai’s new 2024 cocktail menu was designed to look very much like this original menu from 1956-57, including the same cover and vintage-style images.

The old tri-fold menu style was gone by the end of the 1970s, replaced by a bi-fold menu that remained in place (in varying sizes) until the 2020 closing. [See the 2018-2019 menu] Another classic feature is back on the new menu with a return to having the individual cocktails depicted by representational artwork.

The original artwork was replaced by photos in a 2014 menu overhaul. This was a major change from the original style used during the first 57 years of menus. But the old look is back, thanks to California artist Eric October.

Mai-Kai managing partner Bill Fuller reached out to October after seeing his botanical cocktail prints for sale online. The longtime Mai-Kai fan was hired to create the custom images using watercolor in the same style used on the original mid-century menus. Some of the cocktails have also been turned into T-shirts featuring the same artwork.

Mai-Kai manager Kern Mattei meets Eric October at Tiki Oasis in San Diego, where the artist was selling his distinctive botanical cocktail prints. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, August 2023)
Mai-Kai manager Kern Mattei (right) meets Eric October at Tiki Oasis in San Diego, where the artist was selling his distinctive botanical cocktail prints. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, August 2023)

These images include more than just the signature mild, medium and strong rum drinks – plus the four non-alcoholic options. October also depicted the 12 new creations by Starr that fill out he 54-drink menu and offer alternatives for fans of other spirits (bourbon, tequila, et al.).

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News and exclusive coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening, 2024-2025

Mai-Kai legends return for 69th anniversary celebration

Updated Jan. 14, 2026
This blog post features full coverage of the restoration and reopening of the historic Mai-Kai restaurant in South Florida 2024 reopening and throughout 2025. It includes in-depth coverage and photos from journalist Jim “Hurricane” Hayward, along with information gathered from other reliable sources. As the project enters Phase 2 in 2026, look for less detailed but still frequent reports featured on the main Mai-Kai restoration page. We’ll also ramping up a new version of our Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide.
• Jump straight to the news archive below

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai
Check out our handy guide featuring all the basics you need to know to plan your next trip to the South Florida landmark.
UPDATES: Official information, tips and advice for guests

Official sites and social media
• MaiKai.com | Facebook page | Instagram
Facebook group: Friends of the Mai-Kai
• Instagram: Classics of the Mai-Kai
The Atomic Grog: AtomicGrog.com | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky

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SPECIAL VIDEO FEATURES

Photo and video tour: The 16 most iconic photo spots at the Mai-Kai
The 16 most iconic photo spots at the Mai-Kai
Learn how to get those classic shots on your next trip to the historic South Florida restaurant. We take you on an adventure via new and historic photos, plus video from Spike’s Breezeway to document the top locations inside and outside the historic Tiki temple.
SEE THE TOP 16: Jump straight to the tour, tips and tricks

More Mai-Kai videos on Spike’s Breezeway
• Saving the Lamps of the Mai Kai (with Scott “Flounder” Scheidly)
• Inside the Mai-Kai’s cocktail secrets (with Cory Starr)
• Deep inside the $20 million restoration (with “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller)
• 16 iconic (and hidden) photo locations at the Mai-Kai (with Hurricane Hayward)
• Full playlist of Spike’s Mai-Kai videos

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Mai-Kai past news index

• Mai-Kai legends return for 69th anniversary celebration
• Holiday treats include 12 drinks of Christmas, new Rum Barrel mug, festive decor, non-stop events
• New event center will complete Mai-Kai reimagination in 2026
• Rum release date, holiday cocktails and mug, anniversary events, plus more! (November)
• Photo and video recap: Hulaween party returns from the dead
• Hulaween returns bigger than ever, new food menu debuts (October)
• Mai-Kai at Tiki Oasis, new mug release, upcoming events, video and media blitz (August)
• Video guide to iconic Mai-Kai photo spots, special summer prix fixe menu (July)
• Tikiphiles, Panthers fans flock to the Mai-Kai for special events (June)
• Mai-Kai unveils two large tiki carvings during The Hukilau
• Mai-Kai gears up for return of The Hukilau as enhancements continue
• Dinner menu upgraded with more than 20 new dishes (May)
• Mai-Kai opens new passageway between Tiki gardens
• Mcbiff introduces ‘Mystery at the Mai-Kai’ print, merchandise during special event (April)
• Mai-Kai gives food menus a major facelift with all new bar, dining room dishes
• February-March 2025 update: Artists continue working on Mai-Kai design projects
• Inuhele event recap: Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
• Videos: A moment of zen
• Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities
• January 2025 update: Tiki gardens and new dining options open as Mai-Kai menus get a refresh
• Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history (December 2024)
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai
• Mai-Kai celebrates grand reopening, return of signature dinner shows (November 2024)
• Mai-Kai hosts preview of bars in advance of grand reopening
• Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist

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Mai-Kai legends return to the stage for 69th anniversary celebration
• Event preview, more details on the anniversary

Mai-Kai legends return for 69th anniversary celebration

Posted Jan. 4

The Mai-Kai welcomed back dozens of alumni from throughout its 69-year history for a first-of-its-kind anniversary celebration and a weekend full of incendiary performances of the Polynesian Islander Revue. The national historic landmark opened its doors Dec. 28, 1956, adding an authentic dinner show in the early 1960s.

The Dec. 27-28 event marked the first time in history that Mai-Kai performers from eight different decades – from the 1950s through today – all shared the stage on the same weekend. The dinner show combines music (by the Mai-Kai Serenaders) and dance (by the Mai-Kai Islanders) into a flamboyant but culturally accurate tribute to the islands of the South Pacific, running up to three shows a night, seven days a week for the past six decades. After a four-year interruption when the Mai-Kai was closed for a $20 million restoration and reimagination, the revue remains the oldest continually-running authentic South Seas stage show in the United States (including Hawaii).

The current Polynesian Islander Revue during the Mai-Kai's 69th anniversary celebration included second and third-generation performers. Elijah (left) is the grandson and son of fire knife dancers, both named Stellio. Nai'a (right) is the daughter of former Polynesian dancer Glenda Florez. (Photos by Marina Anderson)
The current Polynesian Islander Revue during the Mai-Kai’s 69th anniversary celebration included second and third-generation performers. Elijah (left) is the grandson and son of fire knife dancers, both named Stellio. Nai’a (right) is the daughter of former Polynesian dancer Glenda Florez. (Photos by Marina Anderson)

Many of the alumni gathered at the Mai-Kai on Friday, Dec. 26, for what became an emotional reunion for many. “Feeling so welcome and seeing so many familiar faces really fills the heart with joy,” wrote Malia on her Instagram page, where she posted a reel of the happy reunion. You many know the former dancer and Mystery Girl (2000-2003) today as MeduSirena (aka Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid).

The list of returning Polynesian dancers, fire knife dancers and musician spanned the 1950s through the 2000s. [Click here to see the full list] Among the VIPs were Kainoa Lauritzen (1971-2001), considered the most recognized Polynesian dancer in Mai-Kai history; and Nani Maka, a legendary Hawaiian hula dancer who worked at the Mai-Kai in the 1950s and ’60s. Kainoa performed on stage Saturday and Nani Maka on Sunday.

Former Polynesian dancers (from left) Kainoa Lauritzen, Malia (MeduSirena) and Glenda Florez meet guests and sign autographs during the Mai-Kai's 69th anniversary event. (Photo provided by Marina Anderson)
Former Polynesian dancers (from left) Kainoa Lauritzen, Malia (MeduSirena) and Glenda Florez meet guests and sign autographs during the Mai-Kai’s 69th anniversary event. (Photo provided by Marina Anderson)

Saturday’s events included alumni shows at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. From 7 to 8 p.m., Malia and Kainoa were joined by fellow Polynesian dancer Glenda Florez (1999-2007) for a meet-and-greet and autograph signing in the old Chinese oven room next to the Mai-Kai’s giant Christmas tree. Florez’ daughter, Nai’a, is a current Polynesian dancer and the first female fire knife dancer ever at the Mai-Kai.

Both the Bora Bora and Molokai bars were crowded with guests on the busy Saturday night as Big Harvest performed outside the main entrance. With the addition of the extensive Christmas lights, decor and cocktails for 2025, the annual anniversary event took on an even more festive air.

The Mai-Kai's 69th anniversary alumni show included Polynesian dancers from past decades. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Dec. 27, 2025)
The Mai-Kai’s 69th anniversary alumni show included Polynesian dancers from past decades. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Dec. 27, 2025)

We attended the first alumni show at 5:30, and it proved to be spectacular. I counted dozens of alumni on stage throughout the performance. It started with a 30-minute all-alumni set and Kainoa doing a solo dance to the classic Bali Hai to open the show. She was followed by three former Polynesian dancers doing the hula as the band performed Lovely Hula Hands.

In rapid succession were were treated to many short performances featuring both men and women, including the traditional Samoan slap dance. An announcement was made thanking the founding Thornton brothers for bringing the Mai-Kai to life, along with the current management for keeping their spirit alive. The show was also dedicated to all of the past alumni who are no longer with us.

The pre-show wrapped up with a performance by two male-female duos, then another Polynesian dance by four female alumni (see photo above). The opening set reached a thunderous climax when the theatrical drum troupe Samkoma took the stage. The four-piece group included MeduSirena and current Mai-Kai lead musician Conrad Teheiura Itchener (aka Kabuki).

The Mai-Kai’s Polynesian cultural director and longtime emcee, Lono Hanohano, then invited all the performers on stage for a final dance and standing ovation. But more was yet to come as Lono handed off emcee duties for the 45-minutte regular show to Varua, a third-generation Mai-Kai employee and son of longtime manager Kern Mattei.

As someone who grew up at the Mai-Kai, Varua was perfect to lead the current group through their performance that also included more alumni guests featured throughout. After the traditional audience participation dance, two alumni took the stage for Ke Kali Nei Au (The Hawaiian Wedding Song).

Next came an old favorite, the drum dance of Tahiti, featuring the spectacular rhythmic hips of both current and alumni female dancers. Not to be out-done, the male dancers had a secret weapon as they prepared for the show’s fiery finale, the signature Samoan fire knife dance. Originating from ancient warrior traditions, the performers spin a machete-like knife with towels wrapped on the ends, then lit on fire.

Performing on the Mai-Kai stage for the first time since the 1990s, three-time world champion fire knife dancer VJ wowed the audience and fellow performers alike with his incredible dexterity with the knife, spinning it effortlessly at high speed, tossing it high in the air, behind his back and between his legs. [WATCH VIDEO]

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