The Waikikian Hotel Tiki Gardens & Tahitian Lanai Memorial Page - A Walking Tour
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The Waikikian Hotel circa 1956-60 designed by George J. "Pete" Wimberly and the architectural firm of Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. An unsung hero in faux Polynesian hotel and restaurant design.
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 The "Ravi" Lobby Circa 1978 |
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On December of 1996 The Wakikian, Hawaii’s last “Tiki Style” hotel closed its doors for the last time, due to renovations costs and a slowing economy. The timing couldn’t have been any worse since the tiki culture was beginning a national resurgence that continues to this day. I was fortunate enough to enjoy this place until the end and before the wrecking ball hit had the foresight to create a small photo archive of the place. The following month after its closing there was an auction at the connecting tiki bar (The Tahitian Lanai) that permitted me to add a few of the faux Polynesian artifacts from that bar and hotel to my collection. So with the magic of the internet and a Photoshop program to help restore a few of these out of focus snapshots I’ve decided to share a small tour of this gone but not forgotten landmark. So put on an Aloha shirt, grab a Blue Hawaii and lets go.
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This is the entrance of the place that could be
interchangeable for most local hotels but if you look closely to the left of the
picture and follow the utility pole to the ground you might make out a small
tiki that is carved into the wooden
brace on the cable to the sidewalk. To my knowledge this fixture is still there
amusing tourists and people waiting at the bus stop. This hotel had a small low
rise that you can see to the left that was that showed its age (charm). The
inside had a more of a dorm like appearance rather than hotel and instead of
doorknobs you locked yourself out with a deadbolt lock..
A closer look at the entrance lobby, where a watchful tiki ponders. A side note is the large hotel in the background is the Ilikai where Arthur Lyman use to play at the Canoe House in its hey day. Followers of the TV show Hawaii 5-0 might recognize this place as where Steve Magarrett was introduced during the credits standing on a balcony.
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This tiki use to adorn the lobby with a similar one.
Shown here up for auction went for a mere $300. I lived in a shack back then and that
would have never fit through the door. Fun fact - this tiki is cast from a resin
mold and
the tiki color is achieved with brown leaves in the mix.
This was the sign that pointed the way the lobby gift shop, not sure what treasures it held but I have seen Waikikian beach bags and key chains. The shop was long gone last time I was there but the former ABC store behind the tiki utility pole wasn't a bad substitute for tacky tiki keepsakes..
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"The
roof of the Waikikian Hotel's main lobby was a hyperbolic paraboloid
designed in 1956 by George J. "Pete" Wimberly, who was standing
on it when the temporary supports were removed. "Jump on it,"
shouted the structural engineer from below; and when he did, several shock
waves ran up the roof to the peak, then it snapped into rigidity."