I was pretty much born and raised into the tiki lifestyle…
When Kailani was growing up, she spent her summers on O’ahu where she learned Hula. She performed as a child and never stopped! Maybe you can see Kailani dance in the San Diego area or you can come to Kailani and Alan’s Tiki Playground. The Tiki Playground is an outside tiki bar that looks over an impressive view over El Cajon. Hanging on the walls are pictures of Kailani’s family and various tiki and Hawaiian items that Alan has found over the years. Kailani and Alan are very welcoming and The Tiki Playground might be one of the most relaxing home tiki bars I ever visited. Aloha!
What is the tiki scene like where you live?
San Diego is outstanding! We belong to SD-Ohana and have monthly meetups at the Bali Hai and False Idol. Kailani also takes part in many activities with the San Diego Tiki Ladies. Other local favorites of ours include, Grass Skirt and JJ Island Grinds. There are many more Tiki bars and islander restaurants throughout the County. Pacific Islanders are very well represented throughout the community and there are several Polynesian Festivals such as PIFA, Hoʻolauleʻa, Heiva and more that happen throughout the year. Sunset Luas complete with a Hula show can be experienced at the Catamaran Hotel. And yes, of course — there is Tiki Oasis.
What brought you into the tiki lifestyle and how long has it been part of your life?
Alan: One of my earliest influences was the Disney attraction Swiss Family Robinson Tree House and the movie. They built the Tree House with what they could salvage from the wreck, what the island provided and whatever happened to be washed ashore. This provided early inspiration to make use of what you had and to build upon it. Was a good introduction into the practice of thrifting and how to re-purpose. This is how a lot of Tiki collections happen. Kailani grew up finding glass floats that washed ashore in Oʻahu – a regular occurrence back in the day. A year or two out of High School, I attended a big Luau at the Hanalei and that made quite an impression.
Kailani: I was pretty much born and raised into the tiki lifestyle. While I grew up in San Diego, I spent many of my summers on Oʻahu with my Auntie Josie. Josie Over was an accomplished actress and had numerous roles on the original Hawaii Five-O and Magnum PI. Auntie Josie was also featured on the Poster for the International Marketplace in Waikiki.
Auntie Josie encouraged everyone in the family to learn Hula. As a child, I performed at Diamond Head and danced with Tihati. Later, I danced at Kono Hawaii in Santa Anna. My sister Terrie, was one of the first authentic dancers from Hawaii to perform at the Mai Kai. You can say it’s been a family tradition. At our MeetUps the Bali Hai, Desi Relator provides the music and myself and a few of the Tiki Ladies will often get up a few times and Hula. It’s a wonderful setting. Our Tiki crowd enjoys a good Mai Tai but can also appreciated authentic music and a traditional Hula. I teach Hula on our patio Deck once a week.
Can you give a little history of how it all came together?
Alan: At first, I wanted to create a place to kick back and have friends over. It started out being more of a Surf Shack that had an island vibe and included all things Tikis . But, this was before I knew that Tiki was actually a thing. It’s come a long way since then.
Any story behind the name of your bar?
I call our place the Tiki Playground. A new feature, the bar area – which is currently under construction – will be the Wayward Menehune… which is my nick name for Kailani.
What is your favorite Tiki drink? What do you think makes the perfect cocktail?
Top 5 for Alan: Jet Pilot, Mastodon, Expedition, Tales from the Black Lagoon, Pineapple Paralysis.
Kailani: I don’t drink, I’m allergic to alcohol. Alan says I am the perfect date and designated driver.
What is your favorite Tiki bar? Not including your own!
Alan: The Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach, CA. Although, I’m really looking forward to seeing Max’s South Seas Hideaway – one of these days… it’s on the bucket list.
Kailani: The Mai Kai
Outside of great drinks, what do you think are essential elements in creating the perfect Tiki environment?
Alan: There is only one posted rule: Have Fun, otherwise you’ll bore the rest of us! Indulge as many of the senses as possible. Make your guest comfortable – provide or support an environment that makes this possible. If what you have on your walls doesn’t make you smile – and give you a sense of joy — get rid of it and replace it with something that does. Music is essential… should not strain to hear it but at the same time shouldn’t be in competition with having a good conversation. Familiar music is a good way to get people to gel with a common vibe… it helps to set the stage. After the second hour though, I like to include the more obscure stuff – the B Sides that almost no one has ever heard of before.
What does the future hold for you and your home tiki bar?
Alan: It’s kind of a cliché that a Tiki Bar is never really done… but one good reason for that is Tiki people are a very creative bunch- and there seem to be a huge appreciation in finding it in the wild and in recognizing this quality in others. Creative people always have their antenna up for what might come next… part on the ongoing cultivation of what is cool.
Anything else you would like to add?
Alan: Just the idea of this … cracks me up…. Imagine being downtown in a courtyard of a business — there are great works of art, paintings hanging on the wall but the vast majority of people will just walk by without ever giving them a second look. However, off to the side there is a water feature, and there hidden among the ferns… Then someone yells out, “Hey, check out the Tiki!” Great works of art might not get their due respect… but somehow a Tiki gets the emotional response makes us smile.
