Updated June 21, 2014
The 13th edition of The Hukilau, the East Coast’s largest annual event dedicated to mid-century and Polynesian Pop culture, rolled into Fort Lauderdale last week for five days of “the most authentic Tiki event in the world.” But if you didn’t make it down to the beachside festivities or the historic Mai-Kai restaurant, you still have a limited-time opportunity to pick up some exclusive merchandise.
Related: Artists pay tribute to The Mai-Kai with one-of-a-kind mugs
The Hukilau was held June 11-15, at the Bahia Mar Beach Resort and The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale. Check the Facebook page for photos and recaps.
* The Atomic Grog at The Hukilau 2014
For many, the one piece of merchandise most closely associated with Tiki culture is, of course, the Tiki mug. Every year, The Hukilau has produced one of the most distinctive (and valuable) mugs on the market, designed by noted artists and produced in limited editions by the top mug manufacturers. [Click here to see some of the past designs]
First released only to ticket-holders and registered guests, The Hukilau 2014 Commemorative Mug is available (while supplies last) to the general public. Designed and produced by Oregon’s Eekum Bookum, the mug comes with two different glazes (Lava and Sunset) and features “The Final Aloha” on the back. In production before it was announced that the event will continue next year, this mug is likely to become a collector’s piece. [Check out the value of past mugs]
The Hukilau’s organizer, Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White, says the mug was inspired by a cannibal tiki featured in a map of Polynesia on the wall at the Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego. The cannibal is used often in Polynesian Pop imagery, including The Mai-Kai’s distinctive “three cannibals” logo [see vintage coaster]. Eekum Bookum’s John Mulder “worked very hard on this amazing creation,” White said.
Also available to the public for the first time is the 2014 Coco Mug, a larger version of the popular mug that has been available in years past [see photo], but reimagined in orange as a tribute to Florida. Also created by Eekum Bookum, it features The Hukilau logo and “since 2002” on the back. This is a nod to the iconic Trader Vic’s coconut mug.
Click here to order The Hukilau’s official 2014 mugs now or e-mail Christie White for more info.
Previous Atomic Grog posts on The Hukilau
* The Hukilau says ‘Aloha’ but not goodbye, adds more entertainment
* Never-say-die Tiki event announces return for 14th year in 2015
* The Hukilau adds new band, symposium to lineup for June’s ‘final aloha’
* Schedule announced for The Hukilau’s ‘Final Aloha’ in June
* The Hukilau announces entertainment lineup for ‘final aloha’
* The Hukilau’s Tiki Kiliki announces ‘The Final Aloha’ in 2014
* The Hukilau changes hotels, expands to five days
* PBS stations say aloha to long-awaited documentary on Tiki culture
2013 recap: A Tiki Top 10: Photos and memories from The Hukilau 2013
* All posts on The Hukilau | The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide | All Mai-Kai posts