Updated Jan. 23, 2020
Photos: 10 highlights from The Hukilau 2019 in Fort Lauderdale NEW
Take a look back at the five days of festivities at Pier Sixty-Six and The Mai-Kai with dozens of photos and many memorable moments, plus two bonus cocktail recipes.
The Hukilau 2019 rewind: Photos and video from social media
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The Hukilau 2019: Women of Tiki take over the tower
Thursday, June 6, was tropical cocktail heaven during the opening festivities of The Hukilau at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina in Fort Lauderdale. The signature Tiki Tower Takeover cocktail party included eight of the world’s top female Tiki bartenders. Between sampling all the delicious drinks, hanging out with friends and enjoying the gorgeous views from the 17th-floor Pier Top Lounge, we managed to snap a few photos. Coming soon, a blog recap featuring more photos plus cocktail reviews and ratings.
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MORE RECAPS COMING SOON
Original story:
As The Hukilau’s 18th annual Tiki weekender in Fort Lauderdale gets ready to launch on Wednesday, June 5, check below for breaking news and announcements. Find out what events are sold out and get info on everything from the new smartphone app to the See Aloha charity auction.
New on the blog, we’ve created a handy schedule in spreadsheet format for all five days, including lots of new info like band set times, The Mai-Kai’s Saturday schedule and more. We’ll continue to update this color-coded guide, which also includes a detailed site map, up until the start of the festivities.
NEW: THE HUKILAU 2019 – Unofficial Schedule
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE
UPDATES: Scroll or click below for more
* One- and multi-day passes | Tickets to symposiums and special events | Free events
* See Aloha to raise money for charity | New app for event attendees
The Hukilau: Wednesday through Sunday, June 5-9, 2019, at the Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina, B Ocean Resort and The Mai-Kai restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Featuring Tikiyaki Orchestra, Tikiyaki 5-0, Surfer Joe, The Volcanics, The Hula Girls, The Intoxicators, Gold Dust Lounge, Skinny Jimmy Stingray, The Swingin’ Palms, Slowey and the Boats, King Kukulele, Brother Cleve, Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid, Ian “Rum Ambassador” Burrell, and 25 top Tiki bars and bartenders from around the world.
* TheHukilau.com | Facebook: Page and Group | Instagram
More on The Atomic Grog
* The Atomic Grog presents new class and symposium at The Hukilau
* Tiki Tower Takeover cocktail party sold out – Preview, photos and complete history
* Last party at Pier Sixty-Six? Events sell fast as new cocktail classes added
LATEST UPDATES ON THE HUKILAU 2019
One- and multi-day passes still available at all levels
A pass that earns you a wristband to attend The Hukilau, whether it’s for one day or all five days, is your passport to a Tiki paradise. Passes are required to attend most events at the Pier Sixty-Six hotel and The Mai-Kai. Our new schedule page breaks down what the passes give you access to, including pool parties that feature live musical performances and pop-up Tiki bars, plus the vendor marketplace known as the Tiki Treasures Bazaar. You can also get a detailed breakdown of the passes on the “How to Hukilau” page on the official website. As of Friday, online sales had ended but passes were still available at the registration desk.
As of June 7, the following passes were still available:
Multi-day passes
* South Seas Pass ($399 plus fee) – A premiere pass for all five days, including exclusive access to Wednesday’s pre-party at The Mai-Kai featuring Gold Dust Lounge, plus all Pier Sixty-Six non-ticketed activities including the Thursday kickoff party, Tiki Treasures Bazaar, the pool parties, the Friday night High Tide Party, plus more. It also comes with exclusive early access to the Tiki Tower Takeover on Thursday and a custom mug from Tiki Farm.
* Big Kahuna Pass ($205 plus fee) – Also good for five days, this pass includes all of the South Seas benefits except the Tiki Tower Takeover and custom mug. Available at registration desk only.
* Aloha Pass ($195 plus fee) – Includes all of the benefits of the Big Kahuna with the exception of Wednesday’s Mai-Kai party. Available at registration desk only.
* Luau Pass ($175 plus fee) – The three-day pass includes admission to all the Friday, Saturday and Sunday activities. Available at registration desk only.
SOLD OUT! Surf’s Up Friday & Saturday Pass ($129 plus fee) -Full access to the Tiki Treasures Bazaar, complimentary cocktails at both pool parties, admission and cocktails at Friday’s High Tide Party (featuring The Intoxicators, Tikiyaki Orchestra, The Volcanics, and more). A great option for locals or those just coming in for two days.
One-day passes
* Thursday night ticket ($39 plus fee) – Includes the Tiki Treasures Bazaar and kick-off party featuring King Kukulele, The Swingin’ Palms, and Slowey & the Boats plus free cocktails and rum tastings.
* Friday only pass ($89 plus fee) – Includes the Tiki Treasures Bazaar, live music and complimentary cocktails at the pool party, and admission to the High Tide Party with more free cocktails.
* Sunday party pass ($69 plus fee) – Includes admission to the Sunday Funday pool party featuring live music (The Disasternauts, Surfer Joe, and The Hula Girls), free drinks from nine guest pop-up bars, complimentary rum samples from 15 different brands, and three educational sessions featuring free cocktails. Enter password “FUNDAY” for $20 off.
Online sales will continue until the day of the event, when passes will be available at Pier Sixty-Six during registration hours.
ORDER NOW: Get your one- and multi-day passes
Tickets to symposiums, classes and special events selling out
The Hukilau offers many fun-filled educational opportunities, parties and unique entertainment options relating to Tiki and mid-century modern history, rum and tropical cocktails, plus much more. Some of the most popular events – such as the Tiki Tower Takeover and swimshows featuring Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid at the B Ocean Resort – have sold out. But there were still plenty of tickets available as of Friday to fill out your day. Check our new schedule to see all the events and find out which are sold out. Here’s what’s still available, broken down by category. Some are still available online while others are only available at the registration desk, depending on the date and time.
Special parties, shows, and rum tastings
* Tiki A Go-Go in The Tower ($25 plus fee, 10 p.m. Thursday) featuring DJ Brother Cleve and burlesque queen Angie Pontani, plus complimentary cocktails in the 17th floor Pier Top Lounge.
* High Tide Party Cocktail Pass ($25 plus fee, 7 p.m. Friday) is your ticket to free drinks from 16 of the top Tiki bartenders from around the world while you enjoy live music during the weekend’s biggest gathering at Pier Sixty-Six.
* The $1,000 Rum Tasting with Ian Burrell (4 p.m. Sunday) – A guided tour (and tasting) of some of the world’s most coveted sips from the rum world.
Symposiums
* Everything You Wanted to Know About Tiki Mugs but Were Afraid to Ask ($15 plus fee, 11:30 a.m. Friday) hosted by Tiki Diablo, Eekum Bookum, and Holden Westland of Tiki Farm. Available at registration desk only.
* Home Tiki Bars – It’s Not a Competition (OK, maybe it is) ($15 plus fee, 1:30 p.m. Friday) hosted by Ron Ferrell, proprietor of Southern California’s Rincon Room, featuring practical tips, expert advice and photos. Available at registration desk only.
* The Art of Trader Vic’s ($15 plus fee, 10:30 a.m. Saturday) features Eve Bergeron, the vice president of marketing and granddaughter of Trader Vic himself, sharing illustrations, books, menus and other items from the iconic restaurant chain. Available at registration desk only.
* Surf Music: More Than Meets the Ear ($15 plus fee, 11 a.m. Saturday) brings together musicians Jon Paul Balak and Lorenzo “Surfer Joe” Valdambrini to discuss (and demonstrate) the history and progression of the genre, explaining what makes the sound so distinctive. Available at registration desk only.
* How the British Navy Influenced the Birth of Tiki ($15 plus fee, 1:30 p.m. Saturday) is the story of the historical connections of Her Majesty’s Navy and how it shaped the cocktails we still celebrate today. Presented by Matt (Cocktail Wonk) Pietrek.
* Women of The Mai-Kai ($15 plus fee, 12:30 p.m. Saturday) is a loving look at the lives of great women who worked at The Mai-Kai, from Pualani Mossman Avon to Mireille Thornton. Tim “Swanky” Glazner, author of Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant, will present their remarkable story in their own words with new images. Mireille Thornton, the longtime owner of the restaurant, will make a rare symposium appearance at The Hukilau.
Crafts and other classes
* Make Your Own Fish Float Pendant ($20 plus fee, 10 a.m. Friday) features step-by-step lessons from South Florida artist Tom Fowner in making a nifty, one-of-a-kind souvenir and addition to your Tiki wardrobe. Available at registration desk only.
* Pool Party-Proof Makeup ($20 plus fee, noon Saturday) is a crash course in the secrets the professional makeup artists use, presented by South Florida’s Nicole Brauchler.
* Carve Your Own Tiki Pendant ($20 plus fee, 2 p.m. Saturday) with a carving legend, Fort Lauderdale’s Will Anders. Learn from the man who created several of the giant Tikis at The Mai-Kai.
* Go Go Aerobics with Angie Pontani ($15 plus fee, 10:30 a.m. Saturday). Available at registration desk only.
Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy classes
Five of the nine have sold out, but you can still sign up for these exclusive interactive experiences in learning to make classic Tiki cocktails, taught by top bartenders and spirits experts from across the world. Classes cost $49 (plus fee) and include many free rum and cocktail samples, sponsor giveaways and bar tools designed by California artist Tiki Diablo exclusively for The Hukilau.
* Tiki Garnish with Kevin Beary and Three Dots and a Dash (noon Saturday) featuring the beverage director and staff of the acclaimed Chicago Tiki bar.
* Tiki on the Thames with Georgi Radev (noon Friday), featuring a UK Tiki perspective and lessons on the cocktail scene in London.
* Stocking Your Home Tiki Bar (11 a.m. Saturday) with Matt Pietrek, aka Cocktail Wonk, author of the new book, Minimalist Tiki.
SOLD OUT! The Rums of The Mai-Kai: The Classic Tiki Template (2 p.m. Saturday) – Hurricane Hayward of The Atomic Grog blog will be joined by noted rum collector Stephen Remsberg in exploring The Mai-Kai’s famous tropical cocktails, the historic rum collection, and their connection to Don the Beachcomber.
More on The Atomic Grog: Full preview Saturday’s class and Sunday’s symposium
Online sales will continue until the day of the event, when event tickets can be purchased at the registration desk.
ORDER NOW: Get your special event tickets
Many free events included in daily and weekend passes
In addition to the ticketed events, there are plenty of free activites every day to keep villagers busy around the hotel:
* Tiki Treasures Bazaar (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), featuring dozens of vendors selling their wares.
* Rum Island Pool Party (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), featuring pop-up Tiki bars; DJs Brother Cleve, Hi-Tide, and James Brown’s Sweat; plus live bands.
* Polynesian Pop In (Friday and Saturday), a meet-and-greet area featuring VIP guests from several of the top symposiums.
* Women Who Tiki (3 p.m. Friday), a panel discussion on the role of women in bartending and other realms of the modern revival.
* Wiki Wiki Tiki cocktail classes (Saturday and Sunday), free rum and cocktail lectures featuring top brand reps and industry leaders.
Also, Sunday afternoon’s Grand Finale at The Mai-Kai is included in all multi-day tickets. It features live music in The Molokai bar by Skinny Jimmy Stingray and a special symposium in the main dining room at 1:30 p.m. by Hurricane Hayward and Matt Pietrek. You can also enjoy special “lost cocktails” from The Mai-Kai’s archives while you check out The Rums of The Mai-Kai: From the Back Bar to Your Glass.
NEW: The Mai-Kai Walking Tour on Marooned: A Texas Tiki Podcast
Click here to listen to a special history tour with carver Will Anders, manager Kern Mattei and Hurricane Hayward. Attendees of The Hukilau are encouraged to listen before (or during) their own tour of the grounds.
See Aloha to raise money for charity for third straight year
The Hukilau’s charity initiative, See Aloha, is back for a third year with all kinds of rare and exclusive items up for bidding. This year’s signature item is a special See Aloha pendant created by artist Crazy Al Evans and based on a historic Tiki from The Mai-Kai.
With help from The Hukilau, Evans produced a limited-edition run of 200 pendants, which will be available at the registration desk for $25. All of the pendant proceeds will go to charity.
In addition to buying a pendant, villagers will have the chance to bid on donated items Friday night at the High Tide Party. The silent auction will include art donated by many of the leading Tiki artists in the country. Again, 100 percent of the proceeds will go to charity.
See Aloha supports two charities:
* The Florida Restaurant Lodging Association Educational Foundation, which provides several programs to introduce high school students to the hospitality industry. It also offers school-to-career options that are open to interested graduates.
* Saint Benevolence Rum, a non-profit distillery in Haiti designed to connect donors with the Haitian people. All of the rum’s profits go to charitable efforts in the Caribbean nation.
New app for event attendees
A brand new smartphone app is in the final stages of updating in preparation for The Hukilau 2019. When guests arrive at the hotel, they’ll be able to use the many useful features, including:
* Get news and updates straight from The Hukilau organizers.
* See who’s attending and connect with other villagers.
* Find more info on all the sponsors, vendors, bars, and speakers.
* Make your own customized schedule.
* Get info on free shuttles running between Pier Sixty-Six, the B Ocean and The Mai-Kai.
* Find your way with maps of Pier Pier Sixty-Six plus the city of Fort Lauderdale.
* There’s even a direct connection to Uber if you find yourself in need of a ride.
It should be available in all major app stores.
Go back to the top for the latest updates
Previous Hukilau 2019 coverage
* The Atomic Grog presents new class and symposium at The Hukilau
* Tiki Tower Takeover cocktail party sold out – Preview, photos and complete history
* Last party at Pier Sixty-Six? Events sell fast as new cocktail classes added
* 100 Days to The Hukilau: Weekend events at The Mai-Kai feature The Surfrajettes
* Tickets on sale, book your room now for June 5-9 bash in Fort Lauderdale
* Hotel room parties are back, plus preview events, more
* First official announcement promises enhancements, same vintage experience
The Hukilau past coverage
* 2018 recap: Photos and video from social media | More 2018 coverage
* 2017 daily recaps, news, photos and video | More 2017 coverage
* More recaps: 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2002-2008