| culture first came into American consciousness in | | | | design began to permeate many facets of |
| the 1930s, when Texas-born Ernest Raymond | | | | American life, from home decorations to |
| Beaumont-Gantt, who had journeyed throughout | | | | landscapes to architecture. |
| the South Pacific, opened Don the Beachcomber | | | | Now, having said all that, the question that comes |
| restaurant in Hollywood. The Polynesian-themed | | | | to mind is: what exactly is Tiki culture? Are these |
| restaurant offered Cantonese cuisine and exotic | | | | just the mind-boggling drinks and exotic food? |
| rum concoctions in a tropical ambiance of blazing | | | | Tropical ambience brought by richly colored |
| torches, leis and brightly colored fabrics. Following | | | | tapestries? The striking statues, masks and other |
| the standard set by the Beachcomber, Trader Vic | | | | collectibles that are just too irresistible for their |
| (Victor Bergeron) established his first Polynesian | | | | camp value? |
| style restaurant in Oakland, which was to become | | | | One definition of culture is that it consists of |
| a chain of restaurant worldwide. The popularity of | | | | customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits |
| Trader Vic restaurants peaked in the 50s and | | | | of a social group that are transmitted from |
| 60s, riding on the wave of the Tiki craze at the | | | | generation to generation. In short, it is the way of |
| time, but the popularity of the restaurant chain | | | | life of people in a given area that is uniquely their |
| eventually waned when Tiki lost its appeal to | | | | own. Thus, Polynesian culture from which Tiki is |
| newer generations. In recent years, resurgent | | | | derived consists of the cultures of the South |
| interest on Tiki culture also sparked interest on | | | | Pacific islands taken as a whole (though each island |
| Tiki-themed restaurants and bars, as more young | | | | may have its own customs and beliefs that is |
| people come to appreciate the strong drinks and | | | | quite different to the next island). Tiki culture, |
| unique atmosphere of these places. | | | | then, is an amalgam of the things that |
| Another catalyst in the introduction and the | | | | Westerners came to appreciate about the South |
| eventual widespread acceptance of Tiki are the | | | | Pacific islands: the friendly people, fascinating |
| stories and souvenirs brought home by | | | | traditions and practices, lively music, imaginative |
| servicemen who fought in the Pacific during World | | | | artworks, practical architectural forms, exciting |
| Ward II. The fantastic stories about the exotic | | | | trinkets that are not only decorative but functional |
| and magnificent islands inspired James Michener to | | | | as well. |
| write his book Tales of the South Pacific which | | | | Unfortunately, it is not possible for Americans to |
| won a Pulitzer Prize in 1948. A year later, the | | | | transform their communities and homes into a |
| book was used as basis for the award-winning | | | | tropical paradise symbolized by the Tiki culture. |
| South Pacific musical by Rodgers and | | | | Thus, they settled for the next best thing- |
| Hammerstein, which won a Pulitzer Prize and | | | | making Tiki artifacts part of their environment to |
| swept the Tony Awards. The musical in turn was | | | | somehow give them a feel of paradise. It is for |
| the basis for the movie adaptation released in | | | | this reason that Tiki statues are in high demand: a |
| 1958. | | | | small statue as a table centerpiece or a rather |
| Hawaiian statehood in 1959 brought about the | | | | large one in the garden are not only great |
| golden era of Tiki popularity in the US. Americans | | | | conversation pieces, but also transform rather |
| love the exotic culture from the faraway islands | | | | drudge settings into something with more warmth |
| that was romanticized in restaurants, bars, music, | | | | and life. |
| Broadway and Hollywood. Polynesian inspired | | | | |