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)
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 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)
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)
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.
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
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
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)
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)
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)
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]
