ALOOOHA!! Today we have a Supporter Spotlight on Michael Thanos of The Forbidden Island, the current petition supporter count and some Mai-Kai news!
We currently have 10,856 Mai-Kai petition supporters! We are so close to breaking 11k! Quite an achievement thanks to everyone who signed and shared the petition. Let’s get a second wind and rally to over 11k! Keep the conversation going and share your stories and photos on the Save The Mai-Kai Facebook group as well as sharing the petition link.
Here’s the link to the Save the Mai-Kai petition. https://www.change.org/savethemai-kai
Much love and mahalo,
Tiki Don
Supporter Spotlight on Michael Thanos of The Forbidden Island!
It’s been quite some time since my first visit to Mike’s tropical oasis in the heart of Alameida California. I believe my first visit was during my college years at Cal. It was a welcome reprieve from the stress of final exams and the legendary Haas curve! Enjoying a craft cocktail, listening to Otto play some amazing exotica and just being in the atmosphere really takes you away to paradise, if only for an hour or two.
The Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge may not have come into existence had it not been for the mighty Mai-Kai! Mr. Thanos shares his story with me on this edition of our Supporter Spotlight!
Michael had this to say…
I first got bit by the Tiki bug in 1998 and discovered Trader Vic’s shortly after, but it wasn't until I first entered the hallowed grounds of the Mai Kai in 2001, completely by chance, that I was fully entrenched in "all things tiki” and it literally changed my life! In fact, it’s fair to say that had I never came upon this jewel, there may have never been a Forbidden Island…
My wife and I were engaged on Florida in 2001 and headed to in Ft. Lauderdale to visit relatives for a couple days. On the way to our hotel, we came upon this massive A frame and gorgeous sign that just begged immediate exploring! It was the middle of the day and they weren’t quite open yet, but the valet allowed to me to take a peek inside. I will never forget opening those hallowed doors for the first time and left breathless by what lay in store, a tiki wonderland of epic proportions! We returned and closed the bar down that night!
I was blown away by the quality of their cocktails, reminiscent of the Vic’s Mai Tai but taken to an absolutely sublime level with varied flavors tantalizing my taste buds with each sip and unlike anything I’d ever tasted. My first true experience with a “Rum Rhapsody” to borrow Don the Beachcomber’s phrase. This was IT for me. Upon returning to the Bay Area, I set off on a course to find out everything I could about Tiki, specifically the cocktails and its incredible history. For the next couple years, I visited any and all tiki bars I could find and quickly discovered that the “local” offerings bore no relation to the sort of cocktails I had tasted and experienced at the Mai Kai. At that point, I knew my destiny…create a tiki bar that would not only serve as an homage to Mid-Century Tiki, but one that would serve the types of cocktails I enjoyed at the Mai Kai.
In 2003, I opened Oakland’s first tiki bar since the ‘60s, Conga Lounge in Rockridge, as an experiment to see how Tiki would fare in the new millennium. The gamble paid off and three years later I realized my “tiki dream” and opened Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge, in Alameda.
Over the years, we have visited the Mai Kai at any and all opportunity and relished every moment in this tiki wonderland. On one particular visit, we were treated to a “back of house” tour and I was just blown away at the sheer enormity of their operation, almost hotel like. When Covid first hit, my thoughts went immediately to the Mai Kai, having seen firsthand what it takes to run and keep alive an absolute gem like this. Please donate and let’s keep the dream alive! They are at an immense crossroads right now, faced not only with an ongoing pandemic but millions of dollars needed for their crumbling infrastructure. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that the Mai Kai is the last standing Tiki Temple of the Golden Age and needs to be saved by any means necessary! Please donate to the cause and let’s collectively preserve this Tiki Mecca for future generations to enjoy and experience.
We proudly celebrate Forbidden Island’s 15th year anniversary this month with an exclusive anniversary mug designed by Brad “Tiki Shark” Parker as well as a birthday event scheduled for later this month (stay tuned). We have been extremely fortunate during Covid to not only run a highly successful "to-go cocktail" operation which continues to this day, but received a permit to convert our private parking lot and patio into a veritable Tiki Garden for daily outdoor dining. In addition, we launched our Kill Devil @ Home program, giving our regulars and rum enthusiasts the opportunity to explore our 200+ rum selection in the comfort of their homes. Forbidden Island was the first bar to showcase rums from all over the world and to this day, we offer one of the biggest rum selections in the country, spanning two programs including the Kill Devil 2.0, a collection of rare artisanal rums 10 years and older as well as discontinued brands or ones simply unavailable to the general public. In mid-march we re-opened the interior at 25 percent capacity and hope to increase that as the county sees fit. For the moment, we are open daily 4pm to 10pm during the week and 2pm to 10pm on weekends for socially distant tiki imbibing, with 90-minute seating making reservations a must especially on weekends!
Please join us! http://www.forbiddenislandalameda.com
-Michael Thanos
Stories like these are just one reason why the Mai-Kai is so important to preserve. This is not just a restaurant or tiki bar; it is so much more. The spirit that resides inside the walls created by the people, events, esthetics and love that has culminated over the years can truly be felt by simply walking into the door.
Mahalo Mike for sharing your story with me and the entire Mai-Kai ohana. I look forward to seeing you soon at The Forbidden Island. Cheers!
Mai-Kai News!
The Mai-Kai Vintage T-Shirt for men is back IN STOCK! This shirt features a vintage two-color graphic of the Mai-Kai that dates back to the 1960's. These are printed on 100% cotton, premium fitted tees that are super soft, light and comfortable.
You can find them online at: https://www.maikaitradingpost.com/collections/mai-kai-apparel
The Mai-Kai Tiki Marketplace was a great success!
The event was held this past Saturday in The Mai-Kai parking lot. There was a stellar turn out with a ton of amazing vendors and artists. The show of ohana support for the Mai-Kai was truly beautiful. The Mai-Kai had this to say of the event, “We are beyond grateful for the turnout at our Tiki Marketplace yesterday. Truly overwhelmed by the support from our dedicated followers and community. Thank you to all who came out. And a very special thank you to all the wonderful tiki vendors!!
We are already underway on planning for the next marketplace.”
So, keep your eye out for the next Mai-Kai Tiki Marketplace!
Mahalo everyone for your support of The Mai-Kai. I am confident with the amount of love and support we have for this icon we will all be able to enjoy a visit again!