Aloha,

The Moai are known for many things, especially their love of all things rum. So, when the Gumbo Limbo Chapter heard about Miami Rum Renaissance, an annual event held in Miami Beach, they had to check it out. The founders, Robert and Robin Burr, and their son Rob Jr. created the initial Rum Renaissance Festival in 2009, and it has been growing since. The event is all about rum but this year the party went to the legendary Mai-Kai for dinner and the show one night as well.

The event began on a Monday night with a kickoff party hosted by a Botran Rum at Miami’s infamous Broken Shaker. Craft cocktails and succulent appetizers were plentiful and the atmosphere perfect under the lush bougainvillea poolside. Throughout the week brands such as Zacapa, Brugal, Caliche, Diplomatico, and Appleton hosted similar parties at various locations in Miami. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see many of the beautiful pools and gardens at Miami’s famous art deco hotels while enjoying the finest rums available (and some not yet available). Another highlight every year is the Bacardi party hosted at their swanky Coral Gables headquarters.

One of this year’s featured events was the unveiling of Miami Club Rum at their headquarters in the Miami Design District. Miami Club Rum has a unique aging technique. Instead of aging the rum in charred wooden barrels, instead they age it in metal tanks with spiral cut wooden rods inserted. Then they pump samba music through several large speakers placed next to the tanks to infuse the rum with the flavor of Miami. The F.O.M. Test Labs are taking a serious look at this technique for other uses.

On Wednesday through Friday the serious effort of rum judging takes place with two sessions a day during the RumXP International Tasting Competition. This is no easy task, the judges taste upwards of 100 rums in such categories as white, gold, dark, premium, ultra-premium, spiced and flavored and rate them on a 100 point scale. This year the judges included the Tohunga of the Te Āporo Nui Chapter while members of the Gumbo Limbo Chapter helped with tallying the scores. After the judges have had their tastes throughout the week, the Grand Tasting event is opened to the public, with over 100 rums available to try both in cocktails and on their own.

But there’s more than just rum. Vendors like Tortuga Tile Works and Fashion Tramp participated in the Island Lifestyles exhibition and throughout the day there were various seminars led by expert mixologists and master blenders.

Between the rum, the art, and the dancing, there were demonstrations and competitions on the main stage including cooking and bartending demonstrations. The Bamboo Bartender competition was an Iron Chef style competition where mixologists could only bring their own rum and tools to the stage and were put on the spot to make a winning cocktail with the available mixers and liqueurs. Esteban Ordonez, representing Don Q rum, defended his crown as bamboo bartender and took home the custom plaque from Tortuga Tile Works.

For the Moai, the highlight of the stage competitions every year is the US vs UK Tiki Off. This competition pits teams of top bartenders from the US and UK against each other in several events including a tiki trivia challenge, where the bartenders mix several drinks and are judged on speed, accuracy and consistency; pin the tail on the rum, where the bartenders taste a rum then have to name it AND correctly identify (on an unlabeled map) where it is from; and the final competition, a skit and original cocktail presented to the judges (and the audience) for consideration. The final presentation saw an elaborate training video shown by the UK showing their preparation for the “Tiki Olympics” followed by a live tiki cocktail relay race culminating in the whole crowd joining in the limbo with layback shots of their fine cocktail. The US team took a simpler approach, opting for a poem poking fun at the UK team and an impressive three man fireball unveiling of the Tikilator Melon Mixor, fountaining their original creation through coconuts, and various melons and out a spigot where they served the judges and the crowd. The UK team walked away victorious for the third year in a row, but it was the closest competition yet and the US vows they will get revenge next year.

You can expect the Moai to flock to this potent combination of rum and tiki in sunny Florida again in 2013.

Keep the Torches Burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

The Kon-Tiki Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Moai invites you to "Call of the Tropics," a celebration of Tiki art, music and mid-century culture July 6-21 at the Color of Energy Gallery in Dayton, Ohio.

The event kicks off on July 6 with a Friday night block party featuring the Nick Kizirnis Band, Crazy Joe and the Mad River Outlaws, Team Void, and Cherry Lee and the Daddy Katz. The opening party also includes artists, hot rods, vendors, fire dancers and a cash bar with tropical cocktails.

Other events during the festival include a Jeff Chenault salon about Exotica music in Ohio and charity raffle to benefit the Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA).

Visit the Call of the Tropics web site for all the details and for updates: fraternalorderofmoai.org/callofthetropics.

Keep the Torches Burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Iorana,

In 2011 the Fraternal Order of Moai, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(10) organization founded in 2005, donated a $5,500 to the Easter Island Foundation to fund two scholarships to be offered to Rapa Nui students for use in paying college expenses. The Easter Island Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1989, was named by the Moai as our national charity in 2008.

Funds for this gift and other donations to the E.I.F. were raised at Ohana Luau at the Lake 2011 in Lake George, New York.

The Easter Island Foundation Scholarship Committee has selected the scholarship recipients for 2012.

MERAHI LOPEZ ATAM

The committee voted to provide the second year of the Tangata Manu Award ($2,500) to Merahi Atam López for continuation of her studies.

In 2011 Merahi was the recipient of The Fraternal Order of Moai Scholarship. Now she is in her second year of graduate school in ethnic anthropology at the Universidad Academia de Humanismo Cristiano in Santiago, Chile. She will combine this with her past studies at the Universidad Internacional Sek so that she can "complement the archaeological works with the history and the sociocultural legacy of the island."

The Moai complement Merahi on winning a second scholarship and wish her the best in her studies this year.

LAURA TARITA ALARCON RAPU

The Fraternal Order of Moai Award for 2012 ($3,000) will go to a new recipient, Laura Tarita Alarcon Rapu.

Laura is studying physical anthropology and is in her fourth and final year at the Universidad de Chile. Her goals are promoting the study and research on the island and said in her application that the "new generations of young Rapa Nui have an obligation to act as a bridge between the past who protects us and the present who accompanies us, and we can not stop it, but we can understand it to serve the continuation of our people's cultural beliefs, which is why I look myself as a future Director of the Museum of the Island, working in the repatriation of Human Rapa Nui remains, that are scattered in the world. I chose the study of human remains because I believe they have Mana and therefore, work with them is for me an act of deep respect."

Winning this award will help her to pursue the objectives of the Easter Island Foundation by promoting the study and investigation of the island.

Meanwhile here in the virtual islands, plans for Ohana Luau at the Lake 2012 in June are rolling along and proceeds from this event will help to fund another scholarship next year. Come join the Moai at the Lake and experience fun with a purpose for yourself.

If you would like to support the work of the Easter Island Foundation directly you can make a personal donation and become a Member. Tell 'em the Moai sent you.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

Mark your calendar for Call of The Tropics: A Festival of Tiki Art, Music and Mid-Century Culture brought to you by the Kon-Tiki Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Moai.

The fest will kick off July 6, 2012, with an opening party centered around a tiki art show in the Historic Oregon District of Dayton, Ohio. Color of Energy, a Mike Elsass Gallery will be hosting the show and featured artists will be announced as they are confirmed.

Events will continue through July 22, 2012.

Updates will be available at callofthetropics.com and on Facebook.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

The Fraternal Order of Moai is a growing organization and, yes, we are looking for a few good Moai.

If you are interested in joining there is a path to membership that must be followed. You will need to decide if you want to begin that journey. But if you do, we'd like to hear from you.

Anyone can apply, we do not care what color you are, where or what you worship, what genitalia you possess, what you do for a living or how much money you have. We do not care if you are famous or popular. We do not really care if you are unpopular. If you know how to have fun, don't mind pitching in when there is work to be done, and know how to get things done you may be Moai material.

Getting started is easy: Meet the Moai. We are not hard to find, check to see if there is a chapter in your area and see what events are coming up on the Port of the Initiate.

Keep the torches burning,

— Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

Exciting news continues to come in from the Lake.

First, tickets are now on sale! The 2012 event ticket is still only $85. That all-in-one price gets you access to Friday, Saturday and Sunday events and as always this includes dinner at the Saturday night luau.

Buy why wait for Friday? For $30 more you can also join us at the Thursday night kick-off party. This year the party is on the water aboard The Mohican.

That's a lot of value for your dollar and on top of that you can have the satisfaction of knowing this is all fun with a purpose which helps to fund scholarships and other charitable work.

Second, if you didn’t get a room at the Tiki Resort before the rooms there sold out we've got The Fort William Henry Hotel & Conference Center lined up for you! Call (800) 234-0267 or (518) 668-3081 and mention OHANA to get a discounted rate.

Now go get those tickets at www.LuauAtTheLake.com.

See you at the Lake!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

The latest news from Lake George is that all rooms at the Tiki Resort have been reserved for Ohana Luau at the Lake 2012. But don't worry. We'll be announcing options for overflow hotels nearby very soon!

Ticket sales will also begin soon so please follow us here on Ipu Ki, on Facebook or on Twitter for updates.

And check out the official Ohana Luau at the Lake web site for information about our entertainers and the kick-off party boat cruise on Lake George.

Would you like the help make Ohana 2012 a great event?

Help us help Easter Island by donating to the Ohana Luau at the Lake Silent Auction! All proceeds of the Silent Auction will help us make another generous donation to our national charity, The Easter Island Foundation. Find more information on the Ohana web site.

Or consider sponsoring the event. Your sponsorship donation will be tax deductible! Find more information on the Ohana web site.

Or consider placing an advertisement in the popular and collectible event program: Ohana Magazine. Past issues always have a place of honor in the home tiki bars of the Ohana faithful, Find out more!

Stay tuned, we have lots of Ohana 2012 news coming your way!

See you at the Lake!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

What is the most exciting news for 2012? No, not the end of the 13th Baktun of the Mayan Calendar! The big news is Ohana Luau at the Lake 2012.

A big part of the success of Ohana is our sponsors who will all be listed on our web site. We're particularly grateful for returning sponsors like Frankie's Tiki Room, Fee Brothers and the Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en.

And we will be welcoming new sponsors. How about you? Would your business like to sponsor a fun event that benefits a charity? A portion of your sponsorship would be tax deductible! Download a sponsorship packet today for more information.

Stay tuned, we have lots of Ohana 2012 news coming your way this month including more sponsors, our band announcements, and the start of ticket sales. In the meantime, check our web site for lodging information and book your room now!

See you at the Lake!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

Winter may be putting a chill in the air but that's no reason to hibernate!

In addition to running great events all F.O.M. chapters hold regular meet & greet events in their areas. They will be announced in the Port of the Initiate and Facebook. If you are near one of our chapters be sure to stop by and say hello. Also be sure to look for Moai enthusiastically participating in other events... just look for events with any combination of tiki, rum and tomfoolery.

Be extra sure to mark your calendar for June 21-24 and join the Moai at Ohana Luau at the Lake 2012. The Tiki Resort is taking room reservations now and ticket sales begin soon. Click on the Ohana logo below for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Third Saturday at Chef Shangri-la - December 17 - North Riverside, Illinois
• Winter Wonder Luau New Years Eve at Chef Shangri-la - December 31 - North Riverside, Illinois
• Kahanui Chinese New Year Meet & Greet - January 20 - Englewood, Colorado
• Rum Renaissance Festival - April 16 - 22 - Miami, Florida
• The Hukilau - April 19-22 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Mojave Oasis - April 20-22 - Newberry Springs, California
• Ohana Luau at the Lake 2012 - June 21-24 - Lake George, New York
• Tiki Oasis - August 16-19 - San Diego, California

See you at the Lake!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

Another year gone by already?

Repeal Day is one of those days here in the Virtual Islands where we put aside some of the more exotic cocktail choices and have something classic. Something simple. Preferably with lots of Rye Whiskey.

But we also remember that Prohibition and the aftermath did a lot to bring Rum back as a beverage of choice in the United States so we always switch back the day after.

Now if we could just find some Lemon Hart...

Keep the torches burning,

— Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

Light the torch and sound the conch! The Fraternal Order of Moai is pleased to announce the formation of the Order's eighth chapter based in New York, New York.

Founding members of the Te Āporo Nui Chapter are Fellow Moai Leisure Master, Martiki Bird, Tabuzak, Tiki Vee and Urban Tiki.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

We are very pleased to announce that after closing the books for Ohana Luau at the Lake 2011 the Fraternal Order of Moai, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(10) organization founded in 2005, has donated $6,500 to the Easter Island Foundation to support scholarships for youth from the island of Rapa Nui and the foundation's general fund. The Easter Island Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1989, was named by the Moai as our national charity in 2008.

Funds for this gift, including a portion of general event proceeds as well as silent auction and mystery bowl auction donations, were raised at Ohana Luau at the Lake 2011 in Lake George, New York thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, donors, performers, and attendees. Everyone had a fantastic time at the event while this money was raised so this was truly fun with a purpose!

The gift has been split into three parts.

First, $3,000 will be offered as a larger and renewed The Fraternal Order of Moai Scholarship to a Rapa Nui student for use in paying college expenses. Preference will be given to those students who intend to return with skills to benefit the Rapa Nui people and island upon graduation. The first Fraternal Order of Moai Scholarship was awarded in 2010. The 2011 scholarship was awarded to Vaitiare Tucki Rengifo. Vaitiare is studying physical education at the Universidad de Viña del Mar, Chile. She would like to see a center established on the island for people with disabilities, where they can receive the physical therapy they need.

Second, $2,500 will be offered as a larger and renewed The Fraternal Order of Moai Tangata Manu Scholarship named for the bird-man competition that took place on the island of Rapa Nui. The 2011 scholarship was awarded to Merahi Atam Lopez. Merahi is studying archaeology in Santiago, Chile at the Universidad Internacional Sek. She is also enrolled in the Master’s program in social anthropology at the Universidad Academia Humanismo Cristiano, also in Santiago.

We look forward to announcing the names of the students who have been awarded both of these scholarships in early 2012.

Third, $1,000 will be donated to the Easter Island Foundation's general fund to support the other work of the foundation which includes promoting conservation and protection of the fragile cultural heritage of Easter Island and other Polynesian islands. Among its many projects, the Foundation established the William Mulloy Library on the island; funds archaeological research; publishes a series of books about Easter Island and Polynesia; publishes Rapa Nui Journal; and sponsors conferences about Easter Island and Polynesia.

The fun will continue in the coming year. Plans for Ohana Luau at the Lake 2012 in June are rolling along. Come join the Moai June 21-24, 2012, and experience fun with a purpose for yourself. Hotel reservations are now being accepted and ticket sales will begin soon. Find more information online at www.LuauAtTheLake.com and Facebook.com/OhanaLuau.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

The Fraternal Order of Moai, Inc., an Ohio non-profit corporation, is pleased to announce that our application for tax exempt status as a 501(c)(10) Domestic Fraternal Society has been granted by the United States Internal Revenue Service.

The Moai are very excited about this news because it will help us to continue to expand our charitable, educational and fraternal activities.

Don't worry, we still like having fun... fun with a purpose... and this tax status will make it easier to plan events and gather donations for the charities we support.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

The Red Palms Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Moai recently sounded the conch to assemble the tiki faithful from September 30 to October 2 for a whirlwind tour of the best tiki locations in the Chicagoland area. The premise was simple: fun, cocktails and good works with event raffle proceeds earmarked for CatNap from the Heart, a local non-profit animal shelter.

As the appointed date approached people answered the call and gathered at the Aloft hotel near Chicago's bustling O'Hare Airport. At check-in everyone received an event poster printed by Dean's Graphics and picked up their fabulous CATT tiki mugs from PopTiki of Colorado.

Jet Sterling of Surfabilly Freakout radio opened the kick-off party and presented The Cocktail Preachers for a live performance while guests enjoyed cocktail specials at the bar. As with most F.O.M. events the cocktails were garnished with a fabulous custom event swizzle stick from Royer Corporation. Then it was time to turn the floor over to Java from Bachelor Pad Magazine for a live taping of the next episode of Bachelor Pad Radio which aired on WEFT in October.

After a little sleep it was time to load up the buses and begin the tour. Two large buses arrived and half the group boarded Bus Awesome, hosted by Java, and the other half boarded the Tiki Transport 5000, hosted by Jet Sterling. Things started off quickly as everyone boarded with a swag bag and were served the first cocktail of the day by the hosts on board. Along the way raffle prizes were handed out using the playing card raffle made famous by the Northeast Tiki Tour. Prizes included a variety of items donated by friends of the tour and sponsors BambooLodge Vintage and Go! Tsunami.

Then it was time to get off the bus for cocktails and appetizers at the Malahini Terrace. This location is, like the Pacific Islands themselves, a bit isolated and hard to get to for many people. But the CATT caravan arrived to enjoy one of the Chicago-area's most under appreciated tiki-themed restaurants. Malahini is Hawaiian for "newcomer", and in true island spirit, first-time visitors will be made to feel right at home among area natives! One notable thing about the visit was that due to local liquor laws cocktails could be ordered right away but could not be actually served until noon.

With everyone's appetite whetted it was back on the bus for more raffle prizes, a round of cocktails and a short trip to Tong's Tiki Hut for a buffet lunch. And cocktails. Tong's Tiki Hut is the best reason to visit Villa Park, Illinois. Tikiphile visitors felt right at home at Tong's, enjoying Chinese-American cuisine among the bamboo, fishing nets, tikis, and a tropical mural. The arrival of the buses brought out the manager of the sporting goods store next store with the urgent news that the restaurant did not open until 3:00 p.m. But somehow the doors magically opened wide to accept the hungry horde of tikiphiles.

After lunch everyone needed a break so it was off to the Hala Kahiki Lounge and Hawaiian South Sea's Shop for cocktails. Hala Kahiki, the jewel of Chicago-area tiki, is also among the best preserved classic-era tiki bars in the world. Witco enthusiasts marvel at one of the most concentrated assemblies of Witco decor anywhere, as they peruse an epic-length drink list. Opened in the late 1960s by Rose and Stanley Sacharski, Hala Kahiki is still operated by the same family.

And then, with only a fresh cocktail on the bus to tide everyone over, it was time to head for dinner.

The cocktail offerings on Bus Awesome and the Tiki Transport 5000 varied during the day between original offerings designed by the Red Palms Chapter featuring products from Koval Distillery like the Koval Lei and a choice between the Bermuda Sunset and the Ginger Collins personally served by Paul from Barritt's Bermuda Ginger Beer.

The Tiki Terrace was the last stop of the evening and CATTers found an amazing oasis hiding behind a small, unassuming entrance. Tiki Terrace is where Chicago's Hawaiian community gathers. A labor of love brought to you by the brothers Zuziak, Tiki Terrace is the best place in the Midwest to see authentic islands entertainment while enjoying Hawaiian comfort food, such as loco moco. The incredible pan-Oceanic decor was mostly hand-fabricated by the Zuziaks, who are also performing fire-knife dancers.

After a brief ride home to the Aloft it was time to call it a day and rest up for the Sunday after party at Chef Shangri-La.

To get everyone up and moving in the morning the Red Palms Chapter offered up the most comprehensive self-serve Bloody Mary bar in history. Properly fortified the crowd set off to enjoy a lively lunch at the Chef with live entertainment by Alewife. The lure of the raffle items was great and more than a few people changed their flights to be able to stay and buy tickets for the most coveted items. But the real winner was CatNap for the Heart when the $1,250.00 in proceeds from the raffle were donated to the shelter.

With Chicagoland tiki thoroughly explored it was time to say farewell and close the weekend.

Keep the Torches Burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

Ipu Ki reporters have been scouring the nation searching for Sally since the spring. After many weeks of waiting we received a telegram at the Ipu Ki news hut which was a shock since Western Union stopped sending telegrams in 1996.

WESTERN UNION

NWU5 27 NL=PORTLAND ORG 82

IPU KI CORRESPONDENT TOM=
TRADER VICS=

SALLY HEADED WEST LEAVING TRAIL OF BODIES. BAD SENSE OF DIRECTION SO MISSED LA AND ARRIVED PORTLAND=

ARRIVED PORTLAND IN PURSUIT AFTER SECURING FIRST CLASS TICKET WITH STOP IN LAS VEGAS=

NOT IN THATCH BAR. NOT IN ALIBI BAR. WAITED HOURS. FORTUNATELY HAD EXPENSE ACCOUNT TO KEEP BAR TAB OPEN AND STAY HYDRATED. LOCAL POLICE SAY VERY HYDRATED=

ALSO NOT IN NEW TRADER VICS. PLACE IS MECCA FOR TIKIPHILES AND WILL ATTRACT ZOMBIES. WAITING IN BAR FOR SALLY. WILL REPORT LATEST=

TOM=

Clearly Tom is on the case. If you see him at Trader Vic's in Portland please ask him to turn on his mobile phone.

And watch out for Sally, she seems to have stars in her maggot filled eyes after her acting debut on Walking Dead.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo