Secret Location?

Aloha All from Tikiland,

Where do you get your ideas?

Since the publication of MAI TAI ONE ON, I’m often asked how I come up with all the laughs, murder and mayhem. Actually, it’s easy when you live on an island full of characters. A friend of ours once dubbed this place Muppet Island. He thought everyone was sort of like a Muppet puppet and I can’t really disagree. All I have to do is wander around, keep my eyes and ears open, and then come home and cut and paste and add some far fetched fiction to create new characters out of the seeds that are planted in my brain during jaunts around town.

Always inspired by the local talent!

 

Is the “Tiki Goddess Bar” in MAI TAI ONE ON a real place?

Actually no, but we have something close to it in Hanalei.

Real honest to goodness Tiki Bars are few and far between anymore but I’m happy to say they are making a comeback thanks to authors like James Teitelbaum who wrote “Tiki Road Trip; a Guide to Tiki Culture in North America.” In the book’s forward by Sven A Kirsten, (who wrote The Book of Tiki, a must have classic)  “The Golden Age of the Tiki Bar might never return, but its recognition as a unique American pop culture phenomenon will no longer be deined.”

Tiki Road Trip is a great guide to Tiki Bars, Restaurants and Hotels across America. They even rate places for a “Tipsy Factor.” This is the book to have in hand if you are heading out on a road trip across the country. (It’s probably best to check on line or call the places listed to be sure they are still in business. Alas, some of the great tiki establishments have paddled on into the land of legend.

But let’s say you’re driving around in Tennessee and you’re craving a place with a “Tipsy Factor” of 4 then look no further than the Omni Hut on Lowry Street in Smyra, Tennessee. There are two dining rooms, an indoor waterfall, lots of clamshells, bamboo, glass ball floats and fake tropical flowers. Music is a mix of Martin Denny, Don Ho and traditional Hawaiian. Hey, maybe if they want some live music I can talk my hubby into flying there to play Slack-Key some weekend.

So the “Tiki Goddess Bar” in my mystery series is fictional, but here’s a hint of where you might find me with a notebook and pen in hand, doing research as I lurk in a shadowy corner of the room where the the light from the glass float lamps doesn’t shine.

Not Really The Tiki Goddess Bar But Close

Anyone recognize this place? Hint: It’s on Kauai and The Tiki Road Trip Guide gives it a Tipsy Factor of 3.

Leave a comment if you think you know where to find me.

Until Next Time, Tiki On !

The Tiki Goddess

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7 Responses to Secret Location?

  1. Gretchen S. says:

    Is it Tahiti Nui in Hanalei?

  2. libby says:

    …didn’t i see you sitting in the corner of this place…dark sunglasses and hat……sipping on bourbon…hmmmmmm

  3. Grace aka Big Estelle says:

    Great picture of the musicians but……… Oh gosh now we won’t even be able to go to Foodland without someone demanding an autograph. Maybe a disguise would help – the Groucho Marx look?

  4. Ann says:

    Of course it is the Tahiti Nui…while reading Mai Tai One on I am picturing myself back in Hanalei at Da Nui. Some of the characters in the book I can also recognize, making it fun (like the wedding planner for example!) Great series..can hardly wait for Two to Mango. I miss Kauai!