Seeking a non-problematic tiki bar in Honolulu
March 13, 2023 10:28 AM Subscribe
Are there any non-problematic tiki, or tiki-adjacent bars in Honolulu, or elsewhere on O'ahu?
Will be vacationing in Honolulu soon, this is part of an extended family trip, I'm not super stoked about it for all sorts of reasons, many of which stem from navigating colonialist history of the islands (and like, flying). I fully realize this ask may not be answerable.
Extended family really wants to go to a tiki bar, and I'm apprehensive. Is there anywhere to get a supremely pinky-out-tiki-adjacent cocktail from an establishment that are either Hawaiian (not white) owned, or otherwise not problematic? I am very much willing to not participate in this particular outing if this is just not possible.
Please note that I am very much not looking to 'offset' or 'make up for' going to a problematic establishment by doing another activity.
Will be vacationing in Honolulu soon, this is part of an extended family trip, I'm not super stoked about it for all sorts of reasons, many of which stem from navigating colonialist history of the islands (and like, flying). I fully realize this ask may not be answerable.
Extended family really wants to go to a tiki bar, and I'm apprehensive. Is there anywhere to get a supremely pinky-out-tiki-adjacent cocktail from an establishment that are either Hawaiian (not white) owned, or otherwise not problematic? I am very much willing to not participate in this particular outing if this is just not possible.
Please note that I am very much not looking to 'offset' or 'make up for' going to a problematic establishment by doing another activity.
Best answer: Maybe the Skull & Crown Trading Company?
(Never been, read about it here.)
posted by box at 11:20 AM on March 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
(Never been, read about it here.)
posted by box at 11:20 AM on March 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Good news--a quick search reveals that classic-slash-tacky-slash-appropriative tiki style is a Cali/West Coast thing and that there really isn't much in the way of tiki bars in Hawaii itself. You can drink pretty much anywhere without feeling too awkward. Your relatives may be disappointed, though.
posted by kingdead at 1:41 PM on March 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by kingdead at 1:41 PM on March 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
Manifest (linked to above) is a cool spot, but is not a Tiki bar by any reasonable definition. The only place I know of in Honolulu I'd really characterize as a Tiki bar is La Mariana, but I know nothing of its ownership. The food is mediocre at best but you're not going to beat it on the Tiki scale. You might also look here, which is also not what I'd call a Tiki bar, but has a great ambience (and is across the street from Manifest).
posted by lex mercatoria at 5:22 PM on March 13, 2023
posted by lex mercatoria at 5:22 PM on March 13, 2023
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posted by Jon Mitchell at 10:55 AM on March 13, 2023 [3 favorites]