The Islands of the Fraternal Order of Moai

Sad day!

Anyone heard anything more about this?

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainm ... story.html

Mai-Kai Restaurant suddenly closes. Status of Friday’s ‘Hulaween’ event unknown
By ROD STAFFORD HAGWOOD | SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL | OCT 27, 2020 AT 2:28 PM

With no warning, the Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show announced Tuesday afternoon that it “will be closed effective today and for the upcoming months.”

There isn’t more of an explanation and calls and emails to the restaurant went unreturned. The telephone message does offer that the restaurant is “closed for renovation.”

Thrown into confusion is the 12th annual Hulaween event slated for Friday, Oct. 30, which is sold out. Plans this year were to include a drive-in movie in the Mai-Kai’s parking lot, with a screening of a the vintage horror movie “Beast of Blood.”

The announcement on the Mai-Kai’s Facebook page reads in part: “While we don’t have a reopen date finalized, we will keep our loyal patrons up to date as soon as we have more information to share.”

Brothers and tiki-life enthusiasts Bob and Jack Thornton opened the Mai-Kai on Dec. 28, 1956. It was the most expensive restaurant opened in the U.S. that year, costing $350,000. The popular Polynesian show started in 1962.

The restaurant is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This would really make 2020 the worst year ever.

I've seen a photo of the roof, there's a big hole for sure.

-Rev

_________________
To taua na Moai!

The local paper had a longer article today. It said that Pia would not confirm speculation about the pipe, but that seems like the most likely story and the Rev says he's seen a pic. She did confirm that Hulaween is on for Friday. The Hulaween event was planned as a drive in movie in the parking lot. They can no longer serve food, but the facebook event page says cocktails will be available, and that they will contact ticket holders soon with info on how to order in advance. They were sold out, but with no need to reserve space in the parking lot for people coming to the restaurant, maybe they will add some tickets.

_________________
We take not taking ourselves very seriously very seriously!

Here it is

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/fl-et-mai-kai-restaurant-closing-20201027-dumvhmu4vnaznntiqqb3zq262a-story.html

Looking forward to Friday. Will be our last taste of the Mai Kai for a while.

I'm relieved that they aren't cancelling the event, although it's certainly unsettling to see something like this happen. I do hope they can get it resolved, and once they do, and the pandemic is not so much of a deterrent to travel, I must make a pilgrimage. It's been many years.

The busted pipe story has been confirmed by the lawyer for the Mai Kai: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/restauran ... s-11723333



I have to credit Rev_Thumper for texting me that.

_________________
We take not taking ourselves very seriously very seriously!

I hope they are able to repair without too much trouble.

I plan on being there in line when they open to show how much I missed them.

_________________
Tiki and Geeky Fashions
http://www.fashiontramp.etsy.com
http://www.ealoli.com

I hope the clay ovens weren't affected.

The ME region of my brain says is was an inaccessible roof drain that made itself accessible. Replacing or recovering the kitchen equipment is probably the bigger task. But most commercial restaurant gear is made to NSF standards which requires that it can be cleaned. Even the heating gear under the hood can take an Ansul dump and be recovered. The kitchen communications system for that many covers all at once must be complicated, and I doubt is NEMA 4A washdown rated.

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

_________________
Set a course for the Foc's'le Lounge!

Excrementus Cadaemus

It appears the closure may be longer than hoped.


https://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/fl-et-mai-kai-restaurant-flooding-anniversary-party-20201223-sgak6cxnj5fixnwazt77rrpfmi-story.html

-Rev

_________________
To taua na Moai!

Outside of bingo, is there anything we could do to help?

I know that 2 beloved and historic (well not as historic as the Mai Kai) restaurants / bars in metro Atlanta were on the verge of closing. The pandemic has hurt their business so much, and to-go orders don't always cut. One of these restaurants, The Colonnade, was known for its older clientele, who would frequent the restaurant weekly, if not daily.

There were 2 GoFundMe's for these restaurants, and they were able to raise over $100,000 in a matter of days (links below). I've never had to set up a GoFundMe, but I wonder if something similar could be done for the Mai Kai to help with the expenses or at least employee pay.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-colonnade

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-manuels-tavern

_________________
Poop jokes are always funny.

I forwarded your suggestion and examples over to Pia at the Mai Kai.

Sigh.... not looking good.



https://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/fl-et-mai-kai-restaurant-oakland-park-for-sale-20210121-4sgnouri65g5hbcvasftkg6ktq-story.html

-Rev

_________________
To taua na Moai!

Dumb question time, are we as an org in any position to help preserve this place?

I'm not sure of the scope or scale($$$) of such a task, but it would technically be in our mission statement.





Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

_________________

Fuckity fuck fuck fuck

_________________
To Taua Na Moai Mau Loa, Roger, Rob and Matt.

No!!

_________________
If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a cautionary tale

Super sad at this news. Hopefully, someone is interested in buying and repairing and not for the land itself

Super, super sad.

I am holding on tightly to that little spark of hope that we will win the lotto. Or that they can rebuild in a new location with a new investor.

_________________
Tiki and Geeky Fashions
http://www.fashiontramp.etsy.com
http://www.ealoli.com

Not dumb, but probably better in the lodge than the port: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23968

_________________
We take not taking ourselves very seriously very seriously!

_________________
To Taua Na Moai Mau Loa, Roger, Rob and Matt.

What I find most tragic about all of this is the obvious (to us) probable loss of a place of such cultural and historical significance. For us, it is a veritable temple in which we immerse ourselves to absorb all that Tiki goodness. But for so many it is also a place of full time employment for people with very specialized skill sets, such as the cast and musicians in the show, kitchen and bar staff, etc. No doubt they will be able to find some other employment, but it ain't the same working at Fuddruckers or some other giant soulless corporate chain.

Massive suckage.

I would, of course, be ecstatic if a buyer came along and was able to rescue the place, and I would even be somewhat relieved if it continued to exist, even in a smaller space somewhere else. But it is truly disheartening to live in an age where so many of our cultural heroes (in my case, so many of the greats of jazz), and so many of our temples (Tiki establishments) are departing.

What keeps me going is the fact that before these places existed, there was nothing. People built them, and it became a movement over time. The number of people who are serious collectors and craftspeople keeps growing, there are so many incredible home bars, and people are serious about conservation. I hold out hope that we will see another time when it is possible to build on that scale again.

From Abby Laughlin on FacySpace:

_________________
To Taua Na Moai Mau Loa, Roger, Rob and Matt.