I came across some very sad news recently.  The owner of the La Mariana Sailing Club, Annette Nahinu passed away on the 19th of July at age 96.  Annette’s contribution to the preservation of Hawaii’s recent Tiki Bar heritage is immeasurable.

The La Mariana was opened over 50 years ago in Honolulu in Hawaii.  Hawaii had recently become the 50th state of the United States of America, and Tiki fever was gripping the country.  Entrepreneurs (Don the Beachcomber amongst them) began opening enormous Tiki resorts and restaurants throughout the islands.  As the Tiki trend began to cool and the venues started to close down, Annette would be there to collect what was left of the decor and furniture that was being disposed of.  Over the decades the collection of Tiki artifacts that have amassed at La Mariana is impressive.  It’s like a shrine to the great Tiki Bars of the Islands.

La Mariana is on my short list of about 5 Tiki “must-sees” in the world today.  I was lucky enough to be able to visit there at the start of this year, but sadly did not get an opportunity to meet Annette.  The La Mariana is an absolutely wonderful place.  The atmosphere is thick with history and has a great organic “hand-made” vibe.  It is what I imagine our bar will feel like in 50 years time.

I hope La Mariana is taken over by the “right” person.  Annette’s legacy is an American treasure, and it deserves to be looked after.

I’ve attached an album of photos I took at La Mariana so you can see how special the place is - click on the image below to see more.

Cheers,

Kev

Click for photos of La Mariana Sailing Club