JimHayward.com




RECENT & UPCOMING EVENTS

>>> See all my past event appearances

 

Sundays: Aug. 9 and 23
Tiki history talks at the Mai-Kai

Tiki Discovery Day in the Bora Bora Bar, noon-1 p.m.

Aug. 9: Mai-Kai Cocktails: Tiki History in a Glass
Most of the Mai-Kai's classic tropical drinks have been on the menu for nearly 70 years. Many have their roots in Tiki classics from the 1930s and '40s. Learn where they came from, see the old menus, and enjoy a vintage libation or two.

Aug. 23: Mai-Kai Bars: Classic Cinematic Immersion
Both Mai-Kai bars are inspired by and imagineered like the historic "Mutiny on the Bounty" movie. The Molokai even features set pieces from the 1962 film. Explore the details and backstory as you sample the namesake cocktail.

Atomic Grog coverage: Return to Paradise with August special events

Follow along on social media:
Instagram: Mai-Kai page | Molokai Bar | The Atomic Grog
Facebook: Mai-Kai page | The Atomic Grog | Friends of the Mai-Kai group

Tiki Discovery Day in the Bora Bora Bar with Hurricane Hayward


 

March 27-29
Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando

Florida Tiki: The Good, the Bad and the Future of Polynesian Pop in the Sunshine State

With Jim "Hurricane" Hayward
Sunday, March 29

In a state built on tourism, there's a remarkably broad history of Tiki culture spread across the history books. From spectacular resorts to roadside dives, Florida's legacy is rich with diversity. The 21st century revival brought a creative new wave of authentic Tiki that Floridians continue to ride today, from events to new bars and restaurants. Are we in the midst of Polynesian Pop's golden era, or is the best yet to come? Journalist and pop culture enthusiast Jim "Hurricane" Hayward of The Atomic Grog blog will connect the dots between the past, present and future in a multimedia presentation that celebrates Florida's rich and colorful affair with Tiki culture.

EXCLUSIVE: See The Atomic Grog's full Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 symposium and info on the new encyclopedia of Florida Tiki

Tiki-a-Go-Go recap: See photos and video

Preview: Tiki-a-Go-Go seminar to explore the past, present and future of Florida Tiki

See The Atomic Grog's full Tiki-a-Go-Go 2026 symposium and order the new encyclopedia of Florida Tiki




FEATURED VIDEOS

But Mostly Disney podcast: Interview with Hurricane Hayward (July 2026)

THE ATOMIC GROG ON YOUTUBE
Mai-Kai reimagination playlist
Atomic Grog presentations playlist
Atomic Grog cocktails playlist

Florida Sound Archive
Jim talks about the history of Slammie Productions and the South Florida Slammie Awards, sharing rare stories and vintage images. Audio version also available on all major podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.). [Slammie biography]

The Tiki Talk Show
The Ma-Kai was a sceneic setting for a fun chat about my Tiki journey and the return of the Polynesian Palace. There's also an audio version on Spotify, Apple Music and other services. [Links here]

Spike's Breezeway Cocktail Hour
It was a pleasure leading Spike on a journey though 16 iconic Mai-Kai photo spots.

Full coverage on The Atomic Grog
The 16 most iconic photo spots at the Mai-Kai

MORE ON SPIKE'S BREEZEWAY
Hukilau Live Show featuring Garret Richard and Hurricane Hayward (June 2023)
How to make the Mai Kai's Black Magic cocktail (January 2021)




EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF THE MAI-KAI

Mai-Kai Restoration, News & Events Guide
Mai-Kai Restoration, News & Events Guide
Check out all the latest news, photos, video and deep details on the refurbishment and return of South Florida's Polynesian Palace.
>>> FULL COVERAGE FROM THE ATOMIC GROG

Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
Hurricane Hayward reviews and rates the historic restaurant's current and past tropical drinks, plus reveals a treasure trove of ancestor and exclusive tribute recipes.
>>> Latest news and updates | All 100+ recipes




 






The Palm Beach Post, circa 1979

Jim Hayward, The Palm Beach Post (1979-82, 1986-2022)

December 2022

In December 1979, there were no computers in the newsroom at 2751 S. Dixie Highway when I started working as a "copyperson" at my hometown newspaper, The Palm Beach Post, during my freshman year in college. My duties included filling glue pots, stripping the wire machines, running copy, and pulling photos from the library - Essentially ensuring that the newsroom ran like the well-oiled machine it was.

In 2022, I work (usually from home) on a laptop computer as part of Gannett's statewide planning team. I orchestrate the daily production of both the print and online editions of The Post - creating budgets, scheduling digital news alerts, overseeing the front page design, among other duties. It seems light years away, yet eerily reminiscent of, my first newspaper job 43 years ago: Greasing the wheels so an exceptional staff of journalists can shine.

During those 43 years, I graduated from the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications, where I studied and participated in early experiments in "online journalism." In 1983-86, I worked at the Miami Herald and helped launch Viewtron, the first commercial "videotext" service in the United States, a decade before the commercial internet.

Jim Hayward, The Palm Beach Post (1979-82, 1986-2022)

Returning to The Post in December 1986 as a copyeditor, I've ridden every technological wave on the newspaper industry rollercoaster for the past 36 years. I was the newspaper's first Web producer, helping develop and run fledgling online products, including the long-running "Storm" sites that were dedicated to hurricane coverage and tracking.

Over the years, I worked with nearly every department in the newsroom in one way or another, keeping my hand in writing and a presence in news meetings. I'm proud to have known and collaborated with so many talented professionals, way too numerous to mention here. But you know who you are.

As the industry changed and evolved, I ended up back in the trenches of daily production (both print and digital), combining all of my past experience into my current role as The Post's lead planner. Having come full-circle in the only industry I've ever really known, the time seems right to bid adieu to the newspaper that has been my fulltime workplace for parts of the past six decades.

In retirement, I plan to indulge many interests and hobbies, but I'll always remain a journalist at heart and in mind. And for that, I thank The Post and all of those who helped make it the outstanding newspaper that it remains.

"My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?" - Dr. Seuss

LinkedIn: Jim's full professtional history and experience