{"id":29799,"date":"2023-11-28T21:34:58","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T02:34:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=29799"},"modified":"2024-01-07T18:24:52","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T23:24:52","slug":"mai-kai-update-fall-2023-artists-shine-amid-construction-as-final-renovation-projects-take-flight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2023\/11\/28\/mai-kai-update-fall-2023-artists-shine-amid-construction-as-final-renovation-projects-take-flight\/","title":{"rendered":"Mai-Kai update, fall 2023: Artists shine amid construction as final renovation projects take flight"},"content":{"rendered":"

The multi-year, multimillion-dollar restoration of The Mai-Kai<\/a> reached a turning point this fall when multiple construction projects were underway, both inside and outside the historic property in South Florida. These key elements – the rebuilding of the back-of-house kitchen and bar, plus the reimagination of the parking lot – are the last major pieces of the puzzle that need to completed before a projected early 2024 reopening can become reality.<\/p>\n

Jump below:<\/strong> Porte-coch\u00e8re<\/a> | Showroom<\/a> | Chinese ovens<\/a> | Other projects<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The
The area above the entrance doors was completely refurbished by The Mai-Kai’s artistic team. The vintage fiberglass panels were restored, new artwork was created for the large beams, the wooden rail pins were replaced with sculpted hard foam, and a new LED lighting package was added. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward \/ Oct. 20, 2023)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But despite all this hubbub, the artists who are bringing the design and decor of the vintage restaurant back to life remain focused on their many highly detailed tasks. Working in and around the construction zones is merely a day at the office for creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller<\/a> and his fellow craftsmen, Scott “Flounder” Scheidly<\/a> and Conrad Teheiura Itchener<\/a>. Meanwhile, manager Kern Mattei<\/a> continues to handle the day-to-day operations with aplomb.<\/p>\n

After a hot and grueling summer, everyone working inside the building got some welcome relief when the new air-conditioning system finally roared to life in the fall after being installed in July.<\/a> Most of the building had been without AC since the roof collapse in October 2020 that triggered the closing and eventual sale of The Mai-Kai to the Barlington Group<\/a> and a new ownership team that partnered with the founding Thornton family.<\/a><\/p>\n

The rewiring of the 67-year-old building was an epic task for electricians. Power was out for months during the summer, awaiting Florida Power & Light crews scheduled to make the restaurant’s six new breaker boxes operational. Power was eventually restored in early October. Then, on Oct. 12, vents were blasting cold air into the vintage Molokai bar almost exactly three years after the closing. By early November, the showroom, Tonga Room and the gift shop were also being cooled as the electricians started bringing other parts of the building online.<\/p>\n

NEXT:<\/strong> Work begins on reimagination of The Mai-Kai entry experience<\/a>
\n* Mai-Kai refurbishment 2023 year-end recap: Updates, photos, timeline<\/a>
\nMORE COVERAGE:<\/strong> News, photos of The Mai-Kai refurbishment<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A
A major piece of decor returned from storage to The Molokai bar on Nov. 2. The signature maiden masthead is one of many nautical pieces that date back to the bar’s 1970 retheming using props from the 1962 film “Mutiny on the Bounty.” (Photo by Hurricane Hayward \/ Nov. 2, 2023)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The air wasn’t the only cool thing happening in the refurbished bar. While it could be considered merely symbolic, the return of the “Molokai Maiden” masthead to her perch was a highlight not only for fans but also for the craftsmen working endless hours on the restoration. The alluring mermaid has been a longtime icon, immortalized with a memorable mug in 2014 by artist Crazy Al Evans,<\/a> produced by The Swank Pad.
\n* Video: Maiden of the Molokai mug by Crazy Al<\/a> (2014)<\/p>\n

Most of the bar’s decor was finished earlier this year,<\/a> but reinstalling the mermaid was a pretty big deal for the crew. “It really feels like The Mai-Kai’s coming back now that she’s up there,” Itchener said. He was joined by Allsmiller and Scheidly for the task, which they documented with a video on Instagram:<\/a> <\/p>\n

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A post shared by Tom Allsmiller (@typhoon_tommy)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n