The Kahiki Supper Club - Back in Time

from the Kahiki Foods website.

Tiki-themed restaurants were more abundant several years ago, than they are now. That's too bad. It was a special event to go to one and bask in the extravagant tikiness of it all. The menu was usually american-asian/american-polynesian. The drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike were served in tiki glasses. And the decor - palms, large-leafed vegetation, thatch and lots of mood lighting. What it represented to me was a taste of the exotic in a very mundane life. It spoke to the explorer in me and inspired my future adventures.

Yet it was nothing like the Kahiki Supper Club, formerly of Columbus, Ohio. I'm glad I came across this item, but I also regret never having made the pilgrimage while it still stood. It opened in 1961 and closed in 2000. Despite being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, it was torn down and a Walgreen's was built in its place. I could go on about the metaphorical significance this represents for our culture, but I have a feeling anyone reading this would already have a clear understanding of our growing disillusionment.

There was some talk of opening in a new location, but that seems less and less likely. Last month (November) the 2-story tiki fireplace pictured below was auctioned on ebay. This is both good - someone is preserving this bit of history, and bad - since we won't be seeing the likes of this establishment, perhaps ever again.

For a little more information on this restaurant and much more information on tiki establishments, you can visit Humuhumu's most excellent Critiki website. Aloha.

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