Remember that Beach Boys song from the 80’s, Kokomo?
Can you tell me how to get to Kokomo? Is it a real place? I really don’t know. But I can tell you that I’ve found a home tiki bar that was inspired by that Beach Boys tune, it’s call Kokomo Oasis. Kokomo Oasis can be found behind Paul and Jayme Obais’s home in Portland OR. The devil is in the details and the closer you look, the more you’ll discover, like a hidden message carved out in Morse code underneath the bar! It took me a little bit to decipher but I got it! Here’s Paul to clue you into more details way down in Kokomo…. Oasis!
What is the tiki scene like where you live?
Paul- “Well honestly it’s just budding there wasn’t a lot before four years ago (Vancouver specific) We now have two commercial tiki bars in Vancouver. We do have a good Pacific island population and cultural events are were common before but “American Pop tiki culture” is just starting to get popular locally.
What brought you into the tiki lifestyle and how long has it been part of your life?
Paul- “Tiki lifestyle” well as far as Tiki bars & American Pop tiki culture, five years. As far as Pacific Island culture my entire life… lol I’m Filipino. Bamboo furniture and exotic carvings and decor where everywhere in our house.
My father’s side Filipino via San Diego via Philippines circa 1939. (2) Generations US Navy War Veterans. My mother’s side Irish/Scottish mid-West Kansas wheat farmers US Veterans back to 1770s. So, when I discovered this cultural phenomenon (2020) started by WW II veterans (Don the Beach Comber & Sailor Jerry ECT) coming back from the Pacific, an escapism into Pacific culture embellished by some talented Filipino bartenders I was hooked.
Can you give a little history of how it all came together?
Paul- We started in 2020 when the world was losing its mind and a family tropical vacation was cancelled. For my wife’s birthday, I filled a kiddie pool with sand shells and water and we threw a COVID luau. I thought if we can’t go on vacation I’ll bring the vacation to our backyard.
As the days dragged on. I lost my mother to cancer and soon after my father. I wanted to lock the world out, I was so tired of everyone & everything. I went out into the back yard and took my frustrations out on the dirt. Day turned to night and I dug a huge hole and a mountain of dirt. This became an idea, I brought stones from my Parents house from a dream of my father’s that never came to fruition and I was determined to finish it. That became the waterfall and pond.
The next year landscaping my mother’s favorite flowers, my wife’s home town wild flower and Banana trees (my grandfather’s). The bar: Carpentry is my trade so I took some tree’s and milled the bar tops from them and started designing the space. It needed purpose and meaning. Hooks carved by my father, floats from my grandfather, and hidden motifs given a nod to their service in the Navy and our heritage.
Any story behind the name of your bar?
Paul- Kokomo the notorious Beach Boys song, a story of lovers dying to get away from it all. We had just come through the worst three years in a row and we were dying to get away from it all. A nod to my parent’s journey to heaven and the coinciding journey my wife and I were on.
How far have you driven to buy something tiki that you saw online?
Paul- So far Vancouver lol. Most all of the carvings are handmade besides the 1950s king and queen from and a few others from Maui just before the fire.
What is your favorite Tiki drink? What do you think makes the perfect cocktail? What is your favorite Tiki bar? Not including your own!
Paul- Drink the “Shark bite” it’s not too heavy just right. Perfect cocktail to me has emphasis on presentation and taste. Crushed ice critical and well-balanced alcohol ratio. Too much citrus and rum can really ruin a great cocktail. Favorite bar will have to go to the great, newly renovated Mai Kai! Locally though The Alibi (old school) Hele Pele, Wahi Hana followed by the Coral club.
Outside of great drinks, what do you think are essential elements in creating the perfect Tiki environment?
Paul- Originality. Anyone can shop the corners of the world and throw it on the wall. I want to be transported, I want a total immersion and a story.
What does the future hold for you and your home tiki bar?
Paul- I’d like to expand to more and inspire others. More hidden Easter eggs to decode, sharing and meeting new friends. I want to bring people together and inspire unity.
Anything else you would like to add?
Paul- Yes, thank you for your inspiration. I’ve watched nearly every YouTube video of yours and am not only inspired by other designs but also Straight edge Tiki cocktails. I’ve had friends that have had to quit drinking and I know how challenging it can be. I also don’t want anyone to be left out of the fun. I’m excited to try new straight edge cocktails. Yours was the…
“Peachy Keen”
8oz American clear Peach sparkling water
1 Jigger Mango puree
1/2 Jigger fresh lime juice
1/2 Jigger of alcohol free triple Sec mix masters
2oz crushed Ice
We didn’t have a social media anything until people on tour kept asking so we made one.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZpPhk3BzB
