Summer can be traditionally slow for the tourism and hospitality industries in South Florida, but not at the Mai-Kai. The historic Polynesian restaurant kicked off the season in early June with The Hukilau, the annual Tiki weekender that attracts hundreds of guests from around the world. This was followed by a constant stream of special events that continues in July with some unique offerings.
Charles Phoenix presents “Floridaland” on the showroom stage June 7 during The Hukilau. The pop culture historian made sure to check out all of the Mai-Kai’s many exotic features. (Photo credits: Brian Crum, Charles Phoenix)
News also recently broke regarding new ownership of another Fort Lauderdale landmark. Fans of classic attractions and dining experiences will be thrilled to know that the venerable Jungle Queen is now under the control of Bill Fuller, the Miami historic preservationist who is also the managing partner of the Mai-Kai. Look for full coverage below.
A villager joins in on the fun during the audience participation portion of the Mai-Kai’s new Polynesian Islander Revue show during The Hukilau main event. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / June 7, 2026)
Also below, you’ll find a rundown on the special Tahiti Fête cultural activities coming to the Polynesian palace this month, including craft and dance classes, special shows, and more. We’ll then share photos, video and first-person accounts of some of the unique events in June, starting with The Hukilau.
The East Coast’s longest running gathering of Polynesian Pop enthusiasts, which ran from five days starting June 3, included Mai-Kai parties and special presentations on three of those. This included the debut of a revamped dinner show on June 5 and the exclusive Florida appearance of retro culture humorist and historian Charles Phoenix on June 7.
Distinctive food and drinks were offered to Mai-Kai guests during The Hukilau. Pictured: Demerara Float and Paniolo Burger. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / June 7, 2026)
Look for full coverage of all The Hukilau festivities at the Mai-Kai below, including reviews of the exclusive food and beverages that were served all weekend. We’ll take this opportunity to share a new tribute recipe for one of the classic drinks in advance of the upcoming relaunch of our Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide.
Polynesian Pop devotees traveled from near and far for the East Coast’s longest running Tiki weekender, The Hukilau, held June 3-7 at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort and historic Mai-Kai restaurant. Featuring five days of nonstop entertainment, education, cocktails and camaraderie, the 24th annual event left attendees – fondly known as villagers – hung over but happy. This recap captures the action as it happened.
The Hukilau villagers enjoy the pool party early Saturday afternoon while The Intoxicators rock the main stage at the Beachcomber Resort. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward / June 6, 2026)
We hope this curated compilation of photos and video will bring back some memories, and also give newbies some idea of what the event is all about. There’s also a Spotify playlist featuring many of the bands. For a taste of a few of the delicious cocktails served by some of the 20 guest bars, keep an eye out for our next story.
Tiki mug collectors will want to jump on a special limited edtion of the official event mug, which was made available for pre-sale June 21. The 2026 mug pays tribute to The Hukilau logo Tiki and is designed and produced by John Mulder at the Eeekum Bookum studio in St. Petersburg, Fla. Follow this link to pre-order this new version featuring a matte tan and soft blue exterior with a gloss blue interior glaze.
Artist John Mulder in his Eeekum Bookum booth in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar on June 6. A new limited edition of The Hukilau event mug is available for pre-sale. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
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, 20 guest cocktail bars, pool parties, Tiki Treasures Bazaar, plus more.
• The Hukilau on social media: Instagram | Facebook page and group
In addition to the social media posts highlighted below, we’ve compiled our annual playlist of the performing bands for your streaming pleasure on Spotify. Six of the nine bands are featured, a total of 16 songs and 41 minutes. Click here to launch Spotify or use the player below to listen to songs by The Kreepy Tikis, The Mermers, The Patina Turners, Black Valley Moon, Slip and the Spinouts, and The Intoxicators.
Guests attending The Hukilau in South Florida on June 3-7 are encouraged to relax and enjoy the unique surroundings, a totally immersive escape from the craziness of today’s modern world. These “villagers” have ample opportunity to unwind at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach, then step back in time at the historic Mai-Kai restaurant in nearby Fort Lauderdale.
Highlights of The Hukilau 2026 include pop culture entertainer Charles Phoenix and simian surf band The Disasternauts, seen performing in 2024 (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
But they can’t relax too much. Like most other Tiki weekenders, the 24th annual event includes a robust schedule full of live music and other performances, tastings of craft cocktails and spirits, symposiums hosted by experts in their respective fields, plus a marketplace containing 30 vendors selling a wide range of art and collectibles.
This is the event’s sixth straight year at the Beachcomber, a small boutique hotel just steps from the Atlantic, and the 19th full live event at the Mai-Kai (est. 1956), generally considered to be the last remaining mid-century Polynesian supper club in the world. Many of this year’s participants are new to both The Hukilau and Tiki events in general, so it will be fun to enjoy the diversity and variety amid the familiar surroundings.
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, 20 guest cocktail bars, pool parties, Tiki Treasures Bazaar, plus more. Buy tickets:Weekend passes, Charles Phoenix presentation Book a room:More info on the Beachcomber
• The Hukilau on social media: Instagram | Facebook page and group
While the official schedule is full of activities every day, villagers can participate at their own pace, a literal “build your own Tiki adventure” weekend of sorts. We hope to guide you through some of the highlights with this extensive preview of the bands, symposiums and pop-up bars. Complimentary cocktails flow nearly non-stop every day and night, one of the most under-appreciated features of the event. Sponsors Ron Diplomatico and Tanduay will also offer complimentary rum tastings throughout the weekend.
Five-day tickets range from $489 for the Aloha Pass to $659 for the all-inclusive South Seas Pass. The best bet for locals and those coming in at the last minute is the two-day Palm Pass ($199), which gets you access to most of Saturday’s festivities (including unlimited cocktails and the vendor marketplace), plus Sunday’s finale at the Mai-Kai. Rooms at the Beachcomber are still available starting at $255 (plus fees) per night. You must buy an event pass online first, then call (954) 941-7830 to book through the resort.
The Hukilau’s official 2026 glassware by H.C. Warner, free to South Seas passholders. The Atlanta-based artist also designed the event flyer above.
Check out the links below to our previous coverage. The first story includes details on the special tribute to the late Danny ‘Tiki Diablo’ Gallardo at the Mai-Kai, plus a full rundown on the Tiki Treasures Bazaar vendors. The second covers the exclusive Florida appearance of pop-culture expert Charles Phoenix during the Sunday finale at the Mai-Kai.
For 2026, Mulder decided to go back to The Hukilau’s roots for inspiration. The mug is a nod to the event’s “Huki” character, designed by artist Kevin Kidney in the event’s early days. Kidney was inspired by Tangaroa, the principal deity of the sea, rivers and all aquatic life in Polynesian and Maori mythology. As envisioned by The Hukilau’s founders in 2002, the event’s name is a play on the traditional communal fishing tradition in Hawaiian culture, made famous in song.
The Hukilau official 2026 mug in production at Eeekum Bookum in St. Petersburg. (Photos provided by John Mulder)
At The Hukilau, the intention is to cast a net out into the ocean of Tiki culture and pull villagers to shore for a weekend of communal festivities. Kidney was an early influencer in the fledgling 1990s Tiki subculture, and also known for his extensive work (with partner Jody Daily) at Disney theme parks. In addition to the logo, he created other artwork for the event including glassware and the 2009 event mug based on Huki.
Mulder told us that the goal of the new mug is to “stay true to the Tangaroa and fisherman god with an eye to the Kevin Kidney logo.” The fish that you see front and center on the mug is also from Kidney’s design of the original logo. The mug is currently in the final steps of production in Mulder’s Eeekum Bookum studio in St. Petersburg. [See 2025 video tour]
Since reopening in late 2024 following a $20 million restoration and reimagination, the historic Mai-Kai restaurant has reestablished itself as the “mothership” of the Tiki revival, not only in Florida but for fans around the world. Guests new and old are flocking back to experience the magic of the last remaining mid-century Polynesian supper club, est. 1956.
The Hukilau, the East Coast’s longest-running event celebrating Polynesian Pop culture, returns June 3-7 with an expansive schedule that includes three days and nights at the Mai-Kai as well as an immersive weekend at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort in nearby Pompano Beach. The Mai-Kai will host the signature Friday night main event, plus a special presentation on Sunday with acclaimed pop culture humorist Charles Phoenix, called “the King of Retro” by the The New York Times.
This story will preview the “Floridaland” slideshow on the Mai-Kai’s showroom stage on June 7, when Phoenix will roast and toast the Florida tourist experience in the ’50s and ’60s. It will also include the latest info on other happenings at the Mai-Kai during The Hukilau, including a special tribute to the late artist Danny “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo.
South Florida’s Slip and the Spinouts play the Molokai Bar on May 22. They’ll be joined during The Hukilau on June 5 by The Intoxicators from Tallahassee. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward and the Mai-Kai / July 2025)
While attendees from near and far are expected for The Hukilau, locals will have many opportunities to enjoy a plethora of Mai-Kai events in the coming weeks. We’ll detail the full entertainment schedule, including live music in both the Molokai and Bora Bora bars.
Finally, we’ll whet your appetite with ratings and reviews of all the Mai-Kai’s appetizers on the current menu, which was updated in February. Do we pooh-pooh the Pupu Platter? Read the full story to find out.
The Hukilau features pool parties and live bands including The Disasternauts at the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort in Pompano Beach. (Official photos)
The Hukilau to feature special pop culture presentation at the Mai-Kai
The Mai-Kai has been closely associated with The Hukilau since 2003, when the fledgling Tiki weekender moved from Atlanta in its second year to be closer to the vintage restaurant. That kinship only grew over time, to the point that now the two are “joined at the hip,” as organizer Richard Oneslager said in our preview of this year’s event.
The event features four full days of Tiki cocktails, pool parties, live music, vendors, symposiums, and a total takeover of the oceanfront Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach, 12 miles northeast of the Mai-Kai. When combined with outings to the beloved restaurant, the event becomes a unique tropical escape for guests. These “villagers” can choose from a variety of passes ranging at $199 for two days to $649 for the elite South Seas pass. Rooms at the resort start at $255 (plus fees) per night. For slightly more, you can get an ocean view.
Charles Phoenix last appeared at Mai-Kai during The Hukilau in 2008, the event’s sixth year in South Florida. (Photos: Tiki Central)
Just announced for Sunday (June 7) is a special presentation by Charles Phoenix, a retro pop culture expert known for his high-energy shows featuring a treasure trove of authentic photos he has culled from the archives of mid-century tourists. Scheduled for noon on the Mai-Kai’s main stage, “Floridaland” is sure to be a wild and wacky trip back to the 1950s and ’60s.
Expect a hilarious tour through the best (and worst) roadside attractions, tourist traps, motels and hotels, plus more. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a fun-filled weekend at the Mai-Kai and the Beachcomber. Priority seating for this 90-minute show is available now for South Seas passholders for just $25. Tickets for other passholders (and the general public) are also available.
The last time Phoenix appeared at The Hukilau was 18 years ago, at the 2008 event, when he also did a presentation on the showroom stage at the Mai-Kai. In addition to “Floridaland,” the Sunday festivities will include live music and likely a few pop-up bars. Enjoy the jazz standards, bossa nova, and Latin sounds of Jackie Colada all day in the Molokai Bar.
The Mai-Kai’s Polynesian Islander Revue will launch a new show during The Hukilau on June 5. (Marina Anderson / Mai-Kai photo)
The Mai-Kai was a special place for Gallardo and his wife, Stephanie Mehr. He made the restaurant’s carvings and artwork the subject of many Tiki mugs over the years. They also tried to attend and sell their wares at The Hukilau whenever they could, including last year. Mehr has been invited to attend the memorial event, which will also include a charity raffle of some of Gallardo’s last pendants he made for The Hukilau.
The Mai-Kai is honoring its cultural legacy on its 69th anniversary, inviting more than 20 past performers from the Polynesian Islander Revue to participate in a two-day event Dec. 27-28 at the South Florida restaurant. The national historic landmark opened its doors Dec. 28, 1956, adding an authentic dinner show in the early 1960s. Live coverage below:Photos, video of alumni anniversary weekend
• Saturday (Dec. 27) features alumni shows at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. with a meet-and-greet from 7 to 8. • Sunday (Dec. 28) showcases a 69th anniversary show at 1, 4, and 7 p.m.
The stage 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).
Since the Mai-Kai reopened in November 2024, the show has returned bigger and better than ever, featuring second and third-generation performers. The bond between the current and past has never been stronger, creating a familial atmosphere that opened the doors to this year’s unprecedented reunion.
Pasefika Iosia performs the fire knife dance at the Mai-Kai in 1975. He was also an accomplished musician and member of the house band (top left). (Mai-Kai photos)
The festivities will be dedicated to the memory of a legend who we recently lost. Pasefika Iosia, a native of Samoa who spent more than three decades as an entertainer at the Mai-Kai, passed away Dec. 1 in Port St. Lucie, Fla., at age 87. Many whose lives he touched gathered at the Mai-Kai on Dec. 14 to remember “Fika,” who started his career as dancer in 1970 and later performed in the band.
The Mai-Kai paid tribute in an official social media post: “His talent and charisma on stage were unforgettable, and off stage he brought people together through friendship, sports, and laughter. Pasefika wasn’t just a performer – he was family. Thank you, Pasefika, for the joy, spirit, and memories you shared. You will always be in our hearts.”
Among those who came to pay their respects was Mai-Kai matriarch Mireille Thornton, who was one of the original dancers before taking over as choreographer and cultural director for the next six decades. She married owner Bob Thornton, leading the family ownership group after his death in 1989 through the 2020 closing.
Mileto (center) takes a bow at the end of his final performance as a member of the Mai-Kai Islanders, led by Polynesian cultural director Lono (right). (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / Dec. 19, 2025)
On Dec. 19, a new name was added to the list of alumni when Luiz Mileto ended a more than 25-year run as one of the Mai-Kai’s signature fire knife dancers. Mileto (aka Letz) received an on-stage tribute during his final show, garnering a flurry of leis from his fellow performers and a standing ovation from the hundreds of attendees in the audience. He has long been the Mai-Kai’s most recognizable male dancer, the elder statesman known for his good humor, but serious and skilled on-stage talents.
The world’s first (and largest) multi-day event celebrating the Polynesian Pop revival celebrated its 25th anniversary with a bang Aug. 6-10, when Tiki Oasis literally took over the sprawling Town and Country Resort in San Diego. Thousands of guests enjoyed five days of non-stop fun with more than 25 musical guests and 30 DJs, 50 seminars on an endless array of topics, a Tiki marketplace packed with 150+ artists and vendors, plus lots more.
Medusirena performs with The Tikiyaki Orchestra on Aug. 7 during Tiki Oasis 2025. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
Tiki Oasis 25th anniversary: Aug. 6-10, 2025, at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, featuring live entertainment (The Blue Hawaiians, The Bomboras, Lenny Kaye, The Ghastly Ones, The Hula Girls, Martini Kings, The Tikiyaki Orchestra), DJs, seminars and classes (Sven Kirsten, Charles Phoenix, Kevin Lively, Ian Burrell, King Kukulele, Medusirena), artists and vendors, cocktails and room parties, plus much more. Official program:See all the participating guests, artists, and events Listen to the bands:Tiki Oasis 2025 playlist on Spotify
We were privileged to attend and participate in this historic happening, teaming up with the Mai-Kai’s Cory Starr and “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller for the presentation Sneak Peek into the Historic Mai-Kai’s Secret Bar on Saturday (Aug. 9). Check out the photos below from our seminar and others. The warm welcome was much appreciated, and we hope to return next year for Tiki Oasis 26.
The main performance stage was a blast from the past, with some of the event’s most notable bands returning for the 25th anniversary event’s nightly concerts. We posted videos of some of the bands in a playlist on our YouTube channel. They’re also playable below, along with other performance clips.
The Don the Beachcomber brand was represented at Tiki Oasis 2025 by Erin Sullivan (left) and beverage director Marie King serving cocktails, and creative director Justin Peterson selling merchandise in the marketplace. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, August 2025)
Naturally, Tiki Oasis features the world’s largest marketplace catering to all things Tiki, where you could find just about anything your heart desires. Live music and pop-up bars enhanced the experience, captured in many marketplace images shared below.
Speaking of pop-up bars, the nightly room parties were another highlight as both professional and home bartenders hosted events small and large, serving both classic and creative new cocktails. See photos and video below and also try the recipe for a great drink we enjoyed at the Mcbiff Cocktail Hour party.
It wasn’t hard to find friends and VIPs everywhere with the event attracting some of the top names in the Tiki revival for its many activities and events. A list of everything we enjoyed would be extensive, so we thought a selection of social media posts would be the best way to showcase the overall vibe as well as the good time had by all.
Among the many seminars at Tiki Oasis 2025 were Ian Burrell (left) discussing the finer points of Jamaican Rum, and Adrian Eustaquio exploring the history of the Tiki-Ti and founder Ray Buhen. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward, August 2025)
Mahalo to everyone who shared photos and video on public online social media pages. We’ve tried to include as many varied posts as possible. If we missed you and you’d like to be included, just shoot us a message on Facebook or Instagram.
While California may still be king of the hill with its abundance of classic and modern Tiki bars, constant events and confluence of Polynesian Pop’s movers and shakers, another sunny state on the opposite side of the country is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for more than its beaches and theme parks.
Worlds collide: The Mai-Kai’s manager, Kern Mattei, runs into Don the Beachcomber beverage director Marie King backstage in the cocktail prep area at Tiki Oasis in San Diego in August. They will both be very busy in 2024 with their establishments in Florida. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)
This weekend’s return of Tiki Fever in Sarasota reminds us of all the things that make Florida a hot spot for seekers of a vintage experience. The event takes place at a classic retro resort and the state’s oldest Tiki bar (Bahi Hut). It includes four days of revelry featuring top bands, presenters, vendors, and more. It’s a relatively new event, celebrating its third gathering Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 5-8.
But next year is when it really heats up. A promising new weekender, Tiki-a-Go-Go, will debut in April in Orlando. The state’s vanguard Tiki event, The Hukilau, will return to southeast Florida in June.
Early 2024 should also mark the return of perhaps the state’s No. 1 destination for fans of classic Tiki, the revered Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show. If that’s not enough, Florida is ground zero for the resurrection of the Don the Beachcomber restaurant brand. The Florida-based parent company plans to open at least two new locations in the state between now and the end of 2025.
The Hukilau draws cocktail and Tiki experts from around the world, including David Wondrich (left) and Jeff “Beachbum” Berry. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward / June 2023)
Sure, we’re still home to the ubiquitous “Florida Man,” often oppressive humidity, and increasingly questionable politics. But for all the reasons above, and more outlined below, Florida deserves to become a must-visit destination for fans of classic Tiki as well as the modern revival.
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FLORIDA TIKI EVENTS
Here’s a preview of the state’s three major weekenders, plus a roundup of other events of interest. (Florida-based artists, musicians and businesses are highlighted throughout the rest of this story with links.)
The Hukilau returned to the picturesque Fort Lauderdale area oceanfront for an 19th time for four days of Polynesian Pop paradise in America’s vacationland. After missing in-person festivities in 2020 due to the pandemic, many of the event’s loyal “villagers” looked forward to getting back to The Mai-Kai and checking out the new host hotel. UPDATED:See daily social media photos below: Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
The Beachcomber on Pompano Beach is a throwback to earlier years, a smaller venue with lots of outdoor space that works perfectly in the current environment. And while The Mai-Kai has remained closed for extensive refurbishment and repairs since last October, the historic Polynesian restaurant once again hosted a Saturday evening gathering as it has since 2003, a year after The Hukilau made its debut in Atlanta.
GUEST BARS & BARTENDERS: Among the cocktail offerings were drinks from Ayme Harrison (Death or Glory, Delray Beach, Fla.), Luau Lads (Jacksonville, Fla.), Marie King and Ian Yarborough (Tonga Hut, Los Angeles and Palm Springs, Calif.), Scotty Schuder (Dirty Dick, Paris), Greg Schutt (Tropics, Cocoa Beach), and Kimberly Platt (Honu, Dunedin, Fla.).
A limited number of tickets are still available for The Hukilau 2021, scheduled for Sept. 16-19 at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach, according to an email announcement. The 19th Tiki weekender will also include a special event at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.
Regarding concerns over safety and COVID, the email announcement noted that “all signs still point to a fun, safe, outdoor event.” It added: “In the event that The Hukilau 2021 must be cancelled, or at any point you would prefer to hang back, we are offering full refunds for all passes and tickets, including service fees.” Have questions? Check out the online FAQ at TheHukilau.com or email organizer Richard Oneslager.
Ticket options range from all-inclusive passes to à la carte events. Here are the highlights:
Villagers enjoy The Hukilau’s Rum Island Pool Party in June 2019 at the Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina in Fort Lauderdale. (Photo by Heather McKean)
Beachcomber Pass ($269): Villagers buying the entry-level pass receive admission to Friday and Saturday’s Rum Island Pool Parties, Saturday’s Tiki Treasures Bazaar, plus a “Bungalow Party Pass” at the Beachcomber. The pool parties and bungalows will feature complimentary drinks from top Tiki bars and bartenders from around the country, plus live entertainment and sponsor booths. Also included is Saturday’s Save Paradise Party at The Mai-Kai, which will feature a private seating in the outdoor porte-cochère and access to buy authentic Mai-Kai cocktails along with a special announcement on the future of the historic restaurant. Entertainment will be provided by Polynesian Islander Revue performers. Passholders can also add a rum tasting pass ($25) and symposiums ($10 each) à la carte. (Symposium tickets sold on a space-available basis.)
Aloha Pass ($299): This mid-level pass includes all of the Beachcomber perks, plus admission to Thursday’s kickoff party featuring live music and cocktails. Beachcomber passholders also receive a complimentary rum tasting pass and access to all symposiums, plus free transportation to The Mai-Kai. Both Beachcomber and Aloha passholders can also buy à la carte tickets to Friday’s luau on the beach ($49 cocktails only, $129 food and drinks) and Sunday’s Tiki brunch ($49).
The Beachcomber Resort & Club has a secluded oceanfront space on Pompano Beach.
South Seas Pass ($599): Villagers at the top tier receive all of the same benefits that the other passholders receive, with the cost of the Friday luau (cocktails and dinner) and Sunday brunch included in the pass. They will also get early admission to the luau and bazaar, plus priority seating at symposiums. South Seas villagers will also be treated to a small custom Tiki created by Tiki Tony, plus a special reception at Saturday’s Mai-Kai party.
On April 20, The Hukilau announced that its 19th annual Tiki weekender scheduled for June 3-7 in Fort Laduerdale was being postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. In its place will be a series of events across the country aimed at raising money for Tiki bars devastated by shutdowns. Click the link below for more info.
Passes and tickets for The Hukilau 2020 are selling briskly after last week’s announcement of the full entertainment lineup for the 19th annual Tiki weekender June 3-7 at the B Ocean Resort and The Mai-Kai restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.
The Surfrajettes perform at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale during last year’s Hukilau preview party on March 2. The Canadian group is one of the 2020 headliners. (Atomic Grog photo)
Our previous report hinted at many of the headliners and new participants while offering up key details on the East Coast’s largest and longest-running gathering of Polynesian Pop culture enthusiasts. Now, with the launching of The Hukilau’s updated website, we can run down the full list of bands, symposium presenters, guest pop-up bars and more.
THE MUSIC
The biggest news was the reveal of the musical headliners. Returning for their second appearance at The Hukilau are The Surfrajettes from Toronto, Canada. Rising stars on the instrumental surf circuit, these four women have lived up to the hype after exploding onto the scene in 2015. Viral videos propelled their popularity, but their subsequent live performances and signing with Hi-Tide Recordings have proved that this band is more than just an Internet sensation. We were treated to their blend of classic surf, unique covers, and their own originals at The Hukilau 2018, followed by a special appearance at The Mai-Kai last March. Appearances last year at such high-profile events as Nashville Boogie, the Surf Guitar 101 Convention, and Tiki Oasis solidified their place as an event headliner. Look for a new single on Hi-Tide in April.
Eddie Angel (left) and Greg Townson (right) perform with Los Straitjackets in The Mai-Kai’s Tahiti room during The Hukilau 2018. The guitarists will be jamming, sans masks, at The Hukilau 2020. (Atomic Grog photo)
Perhaps the best known and most popular band to ever play The Hukilau is Los Straitjackets, who graced the festival in 2009 and 2018. While the masked marvels of instrumental rock won’t be returning in 2020, two of its key members will jam out this June in Fort Lauderdale. Guitarist Eddie Angel, who co-founded Los Straitjackets in 1988, also played The Hukilau with two other bands, The Martian Denny Orchestra and The Neanderthals. The Nashville-based guitarist has also had a longtime career as a sideman and solo artist, appearing on dozens of albums by some of the retro rock scene’s greats, dating back to 1978. At The Hukilau 2020, he’ll perform a solo set at Friday’s High Tide Party, backed the The Hi-Risers. On Saturday at The Mai-Kai, he’ll sit in as a fourth member of the roots rock band from Rochester, N.Y., for a few songs.
The Hi-Risers were formed by guitarist Greg Townson, a member of Los Straitjackets since 2010, and bassist/vocalist Todd Bradley back in 1998. The three-piece band will join forces with Los Straitjackets guitarist Eddie Angel for their first appearance at The Hukilau. For 20 years, the band has been constantly touring, recording and releasing rock ‘n’ roll records with a retro spin. Hi-Tide dropped a new single, Christmas with The Hi-Risers, in December and plans another record before June.
Another Hi-Tide band, Argentina’s Los Freneticos, is making its first appearance at The Hukilau. Founded in 2008, this foursome went against the grain of what was popular in their home country to establish a worldwide following with their mash-up of instrumental rock, surf, spaghetti western, and even a bit of punk. A 2012 debut album, El Playa, was followed by another album and global touring. Hi-Tide put out a third record, Teletransportación, in 2019, propelling the band through a full summer of U.S. festival dates. Another recording is due this spring.
Los Freneticos from Argentina will be making their first appearance at The Hukilau. (TheHukilau.com)
Also new for 2020 is a recently formed “surfxotica” combo, The Manakooras from Charlotte, N.C. Featuring members of surf stalwarts The Aqualads, The Intoxicators, The Penetrators and Satan’s Pilgrims, the band combines their love of exotica, surf, and Hawaiian music by employing distinctive instrumentation including lap steel guitar. The band is joining forces with Hi-Tide to release a record by the time The Hukilau rolls around.
Previously announced bands who will be performing at the B Ocean and The Mai-Kai during the rocking five days of festivities are The Intoxicators, The Disasternauts, Gold Dust Lounge, and Skinny Jimmy Stingray. Once again, King Kukulele will emcee the festivities while DJs spinning eclectic tunes will include Brother Cleve, Vincent Minervino and Magdalena O’Connell from Hi-Tide, Spike Marble of The Hula Girls, and Hukilau favorite James Brown’s Sweat from South Florida.
The bands and DJs can be found at the B Ocean on Thursday through Saturday during daily Rum Island pool parties and Friday’s High Tide Party in the hotel’s distinctive Point Room. The Mai-Kai hosts performances during Wednesday’s pre-party, Saturday’s main event, and Sunday’s finale. Performance times will be announced Feb. 15. More below:Symposiums, classes and pop-up bars
While the live performances keep the party rocking, there’s more to The Hukilau for attendees thirsty for “edutainment” covering everything from rum cocktails, to Tiki history, to vintage clothing. A new symposium, Alfred Shaheen: Iconic Hawaiian Textiles ($10), will offer a deep dive into the largest and most innovative mid-century aloha wear manufacturer. Pull Your Head Out of Your Glass! Secret Treasures of Tiki Bars Hiding in Plain Sight ($10) will offer a deep dive “to uncover the wild, weird and wonderful artifacts found in Tiki bars.”
Ayme Harrison prepares cocktails with her Death or Glory bartender Cassidy Moser during the Tiki Tower Takeover at The Hukilau 2019. She’ll teach a class in 2020 on how to make a fun and easy party punch. (Atomic Grog photo)
Previously revealed were presentations by music and Tiki historian Brother Cleve (Exotica! The Sound of Tiki, $10), rising New York City bartender Garret Richard (New Traditionalist – Can Cutting-Edge Science Revive Tiki’s Forgotten Cocktails?, $59), and The Atomic Grog’s Hurricane Hayward (How The Mai-Kai Perfected the Modern Tiki Cocktail, $59).
For the fourth straight year, The Hukilau will offer hands-on cocktail classes as part of its Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy. Students will be treated to an all-new slate of courses, such as Where’s the Proof? with bartender and Tiki ambassador Oriol Elias of Spain. Death or Glory owner Ayme Harrison will join forces with Tiki TNT owner Todd Thrasher for Punch Up Your Party – Less Work, More Fun. The most ambitious new class is My Zombie Is Killer!, a “cage match” featuring four bars competing to see who has the best Zombie cocktail. Expanding beyond rum is a new class titled Waiter! What is This Tequila/Whiskey/Gin Doing in My Tiki Cocktail? Tickets for all classes are $59. The symposiums by Richard and Hayward will also count as credit toward a diploma from the academy.
