Updated April 16, 2025
This blog post will feature continually updated information from official sources at the historic Mai-Kai restaurant in South Florida. It will also include in-depth coverage and photos from journalist Jim “Hurricane” Hayward, along with information gathered from other reliable sources. Bookmark and return for the most accurate and complete guide to the reopening of the Tiki landmark, est. 1956.
• Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening: Full story and photo archive
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LATEST NEWS BELOW: Mcbiff introduces ‘Mystery at the Mai-Kai’ print, merchandise during special event NEW
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Jump to more news below
• Mai-Kai gives food menus a major facelift with all new bar, dining room dishes
• February-March 2025 update: Artists continue working on Mai-Kai design projects
• Inuhele event recap: Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
• Videos: A moment of zen
• Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities
• January 2025 update: Tiki gardens and new dining options open as Mai-Kai menus get a refresh
• Mai-Kai timeline, 1956-2024: Iconic restaurant marks 68 years of Polynesian Pop history
• Is it 1956 or 2024? Forward-thinking Mai-Kai menus sport retro flair
• Mai-Kai grand reopening: Answers to frequently asked questions
• Mai-Kai celebrates grand reopening, return of signature dinner shows
• Mai-Kai hosts preview of bars in advance of grand reopening
• Mai-Kai welcomes Cory Starr as new chief mixologist

Mcbiff introduces ‘Mystery at the Mai-Kai’ print, merchandise during special event
Posted April 16, 2025
The Mai-Kai hosted Mcbiff for the official release of his “Mystery at the Mai-Kai” print and two nights of merchandise signings in the restaurant gift shop April 11-12. The California artist met with fans of his work and the Mai-Kai as they purchased an array of new items while enjoying special Mcbiff cocktails created for the event.
Upon entering the Mai-Kai Trading Company, guests were immediately enchanted by the 30-by-45-inch framed giclee print (No. 1 of 150) hanging just inside the entrance. Brightly illuminated, this immediately became a new photo spot. It didn’t take long for prints No. 2 and No. 3 to sell for $1,800 each to lucky collectors.

The printing and framing were done by the same company that handles Mcbiff’s work for the Disney Parks, a relationship that has enhanced his stature in the Tiki art world. All of the museum-quality special editions that were available sold on the first day. More will be available in the gift shop soon.
Much more plentiful are the standard matted 14-by-18-inch prints, which continue to be available at the Mai-Kai along with Mcbiff prints released at the reopening in November. The first painting highlights much of the signature imagery of the Mai-Kai in Mcbiff’s own colorful style, including the unique A-frame building; familiar Tiki carvings, hanging lamps and jade tile; the Mystery Drink and Mystery Girl; and founding owners Bob and Jack Thornton, along with Bob’s widow Mireille.
“Mystery at the Mai-Kai” takes it up a notch, presenting a more detailed and avant-garde South Seas landscape that features many of the restaurant’s most well-known locations, past and present. There’s the showroom stage in the center, flanked by dining rooms (New Guinea, Tonga, Hawaii, Moorea, Tahiti, Samoa), the Trading Company, and the Molokai Bar. Look for cool details, such as the signature cannibal trio atop the large Mai-Kai sign in the bottom right.
This treasure map of sorts contains new additions, including the Bora Bora and Okole Maluna bars, as well as historic features such as the Chinese ovens. Created with Mcbiff’s trademark whimsical flourishes, the artwork is both reverential and fun. It took Mcbiff more than six months to complete the project.

Some of the artwork is also featured on glassware and tote bags. The design from the reopening was used to create aloha shirts, glasses, totes, and pillow cases, all still available for purchase.
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