{"id":34471,"date":"2025-03-24T19:27:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T23:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=34471"},"modified":"2025-03-27T11:55:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T15:55:12","slug":"paradise-reimagined-deep-inside-the-mai-kai-restoration-photos-and-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2025\/03\/24\/paradise-reimagined-deep-inside-the-mai-kai-restoration-photos-and-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration (photos and video)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hundreds of Tikiphiles flocked to Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend<\/a> at the end of January for three days of artists and vendors, live music and entertainment, rum and cocktail tastings, plus a healthy dose of “edutainment.” The Omni hotel and Trader Vic’s were abuzz Jan 24-26 as enthusiastic guests enjoyed seminars and presentations on a wide range of topics.
\nPrevious coverage:<\/strong> Event overview, plus photos and video on social media<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Luau Lads (Kurt Rogers and Michael Bloom) and Tiki Lindy were among the rum and mixology experts at Inuhele 2025 in Atlanta. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We gained a new appreciation for the work of pioneering artist Bosko, got mixology tips from the Luau Lads and Tiki Lindy, and received an exclusive update on the future of the Don the Beachcomber restaurants and upcoming book. The Atomic Grog was privileged to participate with an update on the reimagination and reopening of the Mai-Kai.<\/a>
\nPrevious coverage:<\/strong> Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans<\/a><\/p>\n

This was a follow-up to our 2023 symposium, Okole Maluna! The Return of The Mai-Kai<\/em>,<\/a> when we revealed details and a sneak peek at what would become an ambitious $20 million project that’s still ongoing. After the grand reopening in November, there was a lot new to report.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The famous “Mai-Kai that never was” painting by Al Kocab of a planned design that was abandoned before the 1970 expansion. It’s available as a 4-by-6-inch postcard, suitable for framing, in the restaurant gift shop along with 14 others for just $2 each. Click for larger image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Our 60-minute multimedia presentation, Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration<\/em>, featured an exclusive look at the reimagination and revival with photos, video and tips for your next trip. For further updates, click on the links below.
\nMore Atomic Grog coverage<\/strong>
\n• Exclusive ongoing coverage of the Mai-Kai reopening<\/a>
\n• Mai-Kai bar and cocktail news, reviews and insights<\/a>
\n• Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai<\/a>
\n• Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening: Full story and photo archive<\/a><\/p>\n

Following are some of the highlights of our slideshow, including two walk-through videos with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller.<\/a> Click on the images for a larger view. Below are notes pertaining to each slide.<\/p>\n

Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Presented at Inuhele in Atlanta on Jan. 26, 2025<\/b>
\nHistoric photos from the Mai-Kai, Tim “Swanky” Glazner<\/a>, and other sources. Current and recent photos by Hurricane Hayward and the Mai-Kai unless noted.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> Charles McKirahan was one of the foremost architects of the Mid-Century Modern movement. The Mai-Kai design was Inspired by Canlis in Hawaii, featuring a 40-foot steel A-frame allowing an open main area, flanked by dining rooms. McKirahan was responsible for some of South Florida’s most iconic buildings of that era.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> After attending Stanford University, Bob and Jack Thornton borrowed money from their parents and went on to create the biggest Tiki temple of them all. The Mai-Kai grossed $1 million during its first full year of operation (1957) as the 150 seat-restaurant served 1,000 customers a night. The colorized image is available as a 4-by-6 postcard in the gift shop.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> Mariano Licudine<\/a> stayed at The Mai-Kai for 23 years until he retired in 1979. The first photo is from 1957, the second likely around 10 years later. Bob Thornton (left) bought out his brother Jack in 1970, serving as owner until he passed away in 1989.<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> The original restaurant featured five dining rooms and a small bar, all surrounding the main A-frame. Note the entrance bridge and sign with three cannibals on top.<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> The Molokai bar rendering by artist Al Kocab<\/a> was later used on a postcard, also revived and available for purchase. The new Molokai opened in 1971, replacing the smaller bar added in 1958.<\/a> Note how different the signature “Molokai Maiden” (left) appeared in its final form after decor from Mutiny on the Bounty<\/em> (the 1962 film) was used to enhance the nautical design.<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> The above images give you a good idea of how big the expansion was. The floor plan – and the Mai-Kai – remained stuck in time for the next 50 years. When Bob Thornton died, his wife Mireille and her family took over and continued to run the restaurant until the 2020 closing.<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> A double whammy happened when a rooftop drain clogged during a massive storm, then a main line of the fire sprinkler system ruptured. The old roofing material soaked up huge amounts of water, compromising the roof within days. The portion of the back-of-house that was lost included the kitchen and back service bar. The Molokai, dining rooms and offices were not damaged, but the cost to repair was astronomical and not feasible for the family. They had to close the Mai-Kai while they sought partners to keep it going. (Photos by Kern Mattei)<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> The sale was announced in September 2021, and by early 2022 a plan was in place for an epic restoration and reimagination thanks to historic preservationist Bill Fuller and his company, the Barlington Group<\/a>. The original figure of $5 million in renovations quickly went out the window, and Fuller’s comments at The Hukilau were prophetic. The cost ended up being $20 million as of the November opening, and that’s just phase 1. To bring the project to life, Fuller and Kern Mattei (who has been GM since 1993), turned to a theme park designer with a passion for Tiki and the Mai-Kai.<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller, a 20-year veteran of Universal and Disney park projects as well as several Tiki bar and home builds, took the job and ran with it. He brought in other artists to help him bring every square inch back to life. After sitting idle for nearly two years without power, the already aging structure and decor was in bad shape when he started work in July 2022. It turns out that time capsules often don’t age well. But the old bones were very strong, and all it required was time, money and the talent of everyone who worked on the project.<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> The plans for the entryway were ambitious, rerouting it around the historic porte-coch\u00e8re and constructing a new traffic circle. This would require the removal of the historic Bora Bora building. The project is divided into two distinctive concepts: Restoration and reimagination, and the following slide titles will hopefully designate which is which. Sometimes, it’s a little of both.<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> The front two-thirds of the A-frame was originally open air and screened in over the indoor garden and dining room. It was enclosed in the 1960s when air-conditioning was added to the main showroom. The paint and color scheme was restored to the same as it has been since the 1970s. Those are the acrobatic workers from Tiki King<\/a> in September using a cherry picker and scaling the roof to add new synthetic thatch that looks 100 percent natural but is a lot more safe and durable.<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> Tim Ellis from Colonial Decorators<\/a> was just 18 when he worked on the original artwork (left). His grandfather designed it, and he put together the nine stencils that make up the mural. When he returned 50 years later, in 2023, he had to trace it, then re-create the stencils (Photo by Kern Mattei). The mural was repainted in September and October using a modern high-gloss, durable paint that wasn’t available in the old days. After applying multiple coats, Ellis said that considering the old one lasted 50 years, the new one is “gonna last forever.” By January, the rock work had been completed and all that remained was for the water features to be finished.<\/p>\n

\"Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

↑<\/strong> Bora Bora was demolished in April 2022 after tapa and other materials were removed and used in lamps and other decor inside the restaurant. Some wood was used for trim and molding. But the unsafe structure had to come down. The new entry, photographed in September, is spectacular.
\nPrevious coverage:<\/strong> Beyond Bora Bora: Reimagination of Mai-Kai entry experience evokes original vision<\/a><\/p>\n

Let’s check out a video tour<\/a> of all the outdoor features with Typhoon Tommy …<\/p>\n