Maui Sands Tiki God

Tiki mug from Lannie's
phone book ad

Tiki culture – the faux Polynesian-style theme that was popular with restaurants, supper clubs and bachelor pads in the 50s and 60s is the craze that never really went away entirely.

I mentioned the Tiki influence on my posts about the Kahiki Supper Club in Columbus and Lannie's in Lorain. Tikis also figured prominently on my post on the old Kon-Tiki Restaurant in Cleveland.

But all three of those places are long gone.

Well, there's at least one example of Tiki culture that's still around. A huge Tiki totem figure has been standing guard in front of the Maui Sands Resort & Indoor Waterpark on U.S. 250 for years.

While I was out that way on Sunday, I stopped and grabbed a few shots.

So why does he look so angry?

According to the We Be Tiki website, "Tikis are spiritual figures who use their big, scary mouths and menacing expressions to frighten away evil spirits."

Either that or he's mad about the exhaust fumes from the Cedar Point traffic clogging the highway in front of the resort.

I'd love to know where the resort got him from. There aren't a whole lot of places that manufacture these huge figures.

Oceanic Arts is one of the best known suppliers of tropical and Polynesian decor. The company has been doing it since 1956, and has carved Tikis as tall as 40 feet in height. Click here to visit their website.

Hey, all this Tiki talk has reminded me of something: I've got to resume my search for the Tradewinds Supper Club!