The Tiki Treasures Bazaar opens at 5 p.m., giving you first shot at all the vendors who have set up

To the uninitiated, this week s avalanche of Tiki culture, retro art and music, rum drinks and revelry may be a bit over the top. To the devotees, it s a Polynesian paradise come to life. If you re not quite clued in to what s going on, it can be a bit overwhelming.
But the best part about The Hukilau and all the related events happening this week in and around Fort Lauderdale is that it s set up like a buffet. You can sample as little or as much as you like. Just make sure to have a designated driver if you re really going for the gusto. Below is a daily rundown hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco on what to expect and a little guidance from a veteran. Or Click here for the full schedule. TheHulilau.com also offers these tips from the natives.
First off, if you plan on attending more than one event, it might be in your best interests to buy a multiple day pass. All the various options are listed on the tickets page on TheHukilau.com . If you don t want to order online, they will also be available starting at noon Thursday at the registration booth at the new host hotel, the Best Western hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco Oceanside Inn . The past two events were hosted by the nearby Bahia Mar. The new home base is smaller and homier, with Hukilau attendees taking most of the rooms and making for a more immersive experience.
The Best Western is at the south end of the strip, next to two other hotels hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco that will host related events, the Bahia Cabana and Sheraton Beach Hotel. Also be aware that many of the events are at the legendary Mai-Kai Polynesian restaurant hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco , which is a good 30-minute drive to the northwest. So plan your itinerary accordingly. The Hukilau also offers shuttle buses for guests without transportation. And cabs are not too pricey, especially if you share. For more on the hotels, click here.
No official Hukilau activities today, but many attendees arrive early and The Mai-Kai is traditionally the meeting place for all the movers and shakers. Happy hour runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and it s also a good time to enjoy this majestic hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco mid-century marvel before the hordes arrive en masse.
But this year, it won t be a terribly quiet evening since this is also the week of Miami Rum Renaissance Festival and Wednesday is the Tiki Time event at The Mai-Kai. A busload or two of rum connoisseurs hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco will travel up from the Deauville Beach Resort on Miami Beach for a night of classic tropical drinks and the acclaimed Polynesian dinner show.
And starting at 6 p.m., retro and Tiki tunes will also be provided in The Molokai bar by DJ Mike Jetsetter Jones, so tonight s a good opportunity to get get an early start on the festivities, sample what The Mai-Kai has to offer and meet many of the guests who have come from around the world to both The Hukilau and Rum Renaissance.
The Hukilau officially opens for business with registration and ticket sales starting at noon in the lobby of the Best Western. If you re staying at one of the hotels, it s a good idea to register early, not only for the goodie bag full of free Tiki treasures, but also to get all your tickets and passes squared away. You can still show up later at one of the events, say a Mai-Kai symposium, without going to the hotel first but it s advised that you do so if possible. Thursday registration runs into the late evening hours, so there s plenty of time to check in. And check the official schedule for any late updates.
The Tiki Treasures Bazaar opens at 5 p.m., giving you first shot at all the vendors who have set up shop in the rooms on the third floor and the sun deck at the Best Western. Check out the cool merchandise before anyone else. DJs Jack Fetterman and Gina of the Jungle will be spinning tunes while you browse.
Along with the vendors from around the world selling vintage merchandise, Miami s Harold Golen Gallery will present the fine art show Exotica Art in Hi-Fi with artists paying tribute hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco to the covers of classic exotica albums. And last but not least, The Hukilau 2012 event mug , designed and produced hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco by Tiki Diablo , will be available for pick-up by those who pre-ordered. There should also be a limited number on sale. T-shirts and special glassware (see photo above) with art by Mookie Sato, an illustrator and graphic designer from Japan, will also be available along with a wide selection of Hukilau merchandise from past years.
The word is out that the free cocktails being served by special guests this year will be out of this world. At 6:30 p.m., the crew from New York City s Lani Kai will be serving a flight of authentic Mai Tais while supplies last. You ll need a Hukilau wristband to sample hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco the drinks, all the more reason to register early.
hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco From 6 to 9, the party will be poolside with performances by Pablus, Angie Pontani and The Intoxicators. Pablus hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco repertoire ranges from songs he performs with his band, The Crazed Mugs , to Hawaiian, hapa haole and classic tunes from yesterday. Angie Pontani is a founding member of the World Famous Pontani Sisters and one of the most recognized and respected names in burlesque. The Intoxicators, an instrumental surf band from Tallahassee, are a revved-up throwback to the 1960s surf scene.
The party shifts to The Mai-Kai at 9 p.m. for a special late-night bash for Hukilau hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco attendees. There will be live music in The Molokai bar plus all your favorite classic cocktails. You must have a Hukilau pass to attend, though locals should be able to pay at the door.
The three-day weekend kicks into gear with a full day of activities. Hopefully, you ve had a bit of rest after last night. Registration began at 10 a.m. at the Best Western and will continue until late in the evening for any late-comers.
Poolside festivities run all day with the Tiki Treasures Bazaar again taking over the sun deck and part of the third floor. Be sure to explore all the nooks and crannies of all the vendor rooms. You might find a rare collectible you ve been looking for. And the artwork from Harold Golen Gallery is always fun to check out. His prints are reasonably hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco priced.
Around 11:30 a.m., the first cocktails will be served on the sun deck. Mixology Symposium Coordinator George Jenkins will be mixing St. George hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco s Punch, free to everyone with Hukilau passes. Buses start leaving around noon for anyone headed hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco to The Mai-Kai for the day s symposiums.
Mai-Kai: History, Mystery hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco Adventure will be presented at 1 p.m. by Tim Swanky Glazner. This rare inside glimpse at the grand Polynesian Palace s history will feature slides and video, plus special guest from the restaurant s past.
At 2:30 p.m., it s The Golden Age of Tiki Archeology with influential author Sven Kirsten, author of the Book of Tiki and Tiki Modern . He ll share previously unpublished hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco slide images of lost Tiki temples and will also be available to sign copies of his books.
Advance ticket purchases will receive priority seating at the symposiums, but walk-up tickets will be available. hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco Following these events, there will be a meet-and-greet in The Molokai bar. Feel free to hang out for happy hour, or head back to the Best Western for more events. Make sure you don t miss your bus if that s your mode of transportation. If you stay at The Mai-Kai, you ll be able to catch local rockabilly favorites Slip in the Spinouts from around 6 to 9 p.m.
Over on the beach, the party cranks up for the evening with live music at the Best Western from Miami s Gold Dust Lounge . This hip combo is an amalgam of surf, jazz, spy-fi and spaghetti western, filtered through hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco a film noir lens with a bit of groove. The vendors will again be selling their wares from 5 to 6:30 and another special cocktail will be served from another group of New York City s best Tiki bartenders. The mixologists from PKNY will have a special recipe featuring Sailor Jerry and other tasty rums.
At 6:30 p.m., be sure to wander next door to the Wreck Bar on the first floor of the Sheraton Beach Hotel for Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid s Underwater Swim Show. This event is free for all and should be a special version of Marina s regular Friday night performance with her team of mermaids. hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco You never know who or what will show up in the pool during Hukilau!
It s just another short walk to the other side of A1A for the Hukilau Main Event at the Bahia Cabana, which runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Emceed by King Kukulele and featuring live musical performances by Dan Cunningham as Elvis, Exotik-A-GoGo, The Martian Denny Orchestra with Angie Pontani, hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco DJs Jack Fetterman and Gina of the Jungle, plus more.
King Kukulele is a comedian, actor and ukuleleist who never fails to keep the energy level high with a his one-liners, hapa haole and novelty songs. Dan Cunningham has been channeling hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco Elvis Presley for 15 years, performing everywhere from The Mai-Kai to Graceland. Exotik-A-GoGo from Minneapolis combines jazz instrumentation with jungle rhythms and tropical birdcalls mixed with vibraphone. The Martian Denny Orchestra hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco blends surf, spy and space sounds while covering instrumental classics by Duane Eddy, the Ventures, the Rockin hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco Rebels and Santo Johnny. Led by acclaimed guitarist Eddie Angel (Los Straitjackets, The Neanderthals), the band features a who s who of top Nashville musicians, who boast resumes that include work with Johnny hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco Cash, John Mellencamp, NRBQ and others.
hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco And don t forget to cap off the evening from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. at The Mai-Kai s late-night party, Dance You Savages! featuring DJ Heelgrinder. Shuttle passes are available between the Best Western and The Mai-Kai.
It s your last chance to visit the Tiki Treasures Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the third floor and the sun deck at the Best Western. If you re at the hotel or nearby, don t miss the group photo at 11 a.m. on the sun deck.
The Best Western will host a very special symposium at 11:30 a.m. Ta-ta-u: The Mark of Civilization by Paul Roe of Britishink Tattoos in Washington, hotel reviews for hotel union square in san francisco D.C. This hands-on presentation will look at the importance of the male and female tattoos in Samoa, culminating in a demonstration of a traditional tatau. The recipient will be Hukilau