Aloha,

Two Fellow Moai have received the blue fez during a ritual held at Festiki 2010 in Dayton, Ohio.

Only certain Moai are called upon to wear the blue F.O.M. fez. They are Honui Moai, considered a person worthy of respect and of authority. It is kapu, forbidden, for anyone else to wear the fez.

The ritual is the final step on the path before a Fellow takes their place among the Honui Moai.

The staff at Ipu Ki are pleased to present a laurel and hearty handshake to our newest Honui:

Kekona (Red Palms Chapter)
Savage Hi-Fi (Kon-Tiki Chapter)

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

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, posted on the Astronomical Calculator of the Gods 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Surf Ohio Festiki 2010 -August 14 - Dayton, Ohio
• Tiki Oasis - San Diego, California - August 19-22
• Third Saturday at Chef Shangri-la - August 21 - North Riverside, Illinois
• Tiki Surf Night featuring 9th Wave - August 21 - Exotic Island Art Studio, Amesbury, Massachusetts
• Denver Modernism Show - August 27-29 - Denver, Colorado
• Kon-Tiki Chapter Meet & Greet - September 10 - Bar Tiki, Dayton, Ohio
• Conquer Chiari Walk Across America - September 18 - Westbrook, Connecticut
• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - October 3 - Hunt Valley, Maryland
• Northeast Tiki Tour III - October 2010 - New England
• Ohana Luau at the Lake 2011 - June 23-26 - Lake George, New York

See you in the Port,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

We have received an urgent video transmission from the Ohana Luau at the Lake headquarters in Lake George, New York.

For updates please visit www.luauatthelake.com or www.facebook.com/OhanaLuau.

See you at the Lake!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

One of the mysteries of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is the connection between the Moai statue builders and the Tangata Manu (Bird-man) cult that followed them. Was the traditional ideology overthrown? Did they co-exist?

Only one known artifact connects the two ideologies: Moai Hoa Hakananai'a.

Perched on the edge of the extinct volcano Rano Kau is the ceremonial village of Orongo, the center of the annual Tangata Manu contest. Hoa Hakananai'a was the only Moai in the village. This Moai is among the small number that were carved from harder stone (basalt) and it bears carved symbols of the Bird-man cult which is unique.

Clearly this is an important piece of history for the modern Rapa Nui people and a connection to their past. Unfortunately... it isn't in Orongo any longer.

In 2009 a group of Rapa Nui students participating in 'a pó, The Rapa Nui Youth Involvement Program, produced a video about Hoa Hakananai'a.

There are dozens of Moai in museums and private collections around the world but none are like this one. It is believed that Hoa Hakananai'a means "stolen or hidden friend." Here in the virtual islands we tend to agree with the "stolen" translation. Hopefully one day this lost Moai will find its way home again.

The Fraternal Order of Moai is pleased to support the Rapa Nui Youth Involvement Program though the Easter Island Foundation. For more information about 'a pó please visit: www.terevaka.net/apo.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

The Endless Summer, the iconic 1966 surf movie, joins the sponsors and partners aboard Festiki 2010, which takes place August 14 in Dayton, Ohio. The exclusive distributor of the entire Bruce Brown surf movie catalog, monterey media, will launch national promotion of its upcoming Special Director’s Edition DVD at Surf Ohio Festiki.

Surf Ohio will also market monterey’s currently available Endless Summer Collection, a three-DVD boxed set featuring the original Bruce Brown classic, his 1994 documentary followup, The Endless Summer II – the Journey Continues, and The Endless Summer Revisited, a 2000 collaboration between Brown and his son, Dana, featuring never-before-seen footage from the original film and cast interviews.

Festiki is a full-day, outdoor lifestyle event that blends a celebration of surf, tiki and retro culture together with music, art, and other beach-themed activities. Over 3,000 people are expected at this second annual event on August 14th at the 33-acre Old River Park just south of Dayton.

The Endless Summer joins a growing roster of Surf Ohio Festiki 2010 sponsors that currently includes Land Shark Lager, Monster Energy, Clear Channel, and AAA Travel among others to be announced.

Surf Ohio Festiki 2010 gates open at noon, with live stage performances beginning at 2:00 p.m. and running through 10:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per adult, $5 for ages 17 and under, with kids under 9 years old admitted free. For more information and updates, visit www.festiki.com.

Festiki is a production of SurfOhio.com and the Fraternal Order of Moai. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the world’s waves and beaches.

See you in Dayton!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

When Columbus restaurateurs' Bill Sapp and Lee Henry created the legendary Kahiki Supper Club they recruited Marsh Padilla to fill the Music Bar with a unique Latin Jazz/Hawaiian/Lounge musical hybrid. Marcel "Marsh" Padilla had played with Juan Rodrigo's Orchestra and lead saxophone for various bands backing up Judy Garland, Martha Raye, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. After World War II he returned to Detroit to organize the Marcel Padilla Orchestra and played regularly at The Famous Door and Haig's Mambo City.

Later Marsh moved to Columbus, Ohio, and formed the Kahiki Trio or Beachcomber Trio, as they were also known, in 1961. The trio played at the Kahiki Supper Club in Columbus, Ohio from 1961 to 1978.

The Kahiki Trio was recorded inside the Kahiki during 1965. Like many restaurant albums released in the 60's, this recording brings back the excitement of a live audience with cocktails in hand. Audience sounds, occasional whistling, and even the sound of the waterfall in the bar can also be heard adding to the unique environmental experience.

Now you can get a glimpse into the past and experience an exotic evening at the famous Kahiki Supper Club as exotica music expert Jeff Chenault and Bacchus Archives brings to you a very special hand numbered edition of 500 copies of this lost album on vinyl only (a digital download coupon is included for the digital music fans).

This eagerly awaited release is available to order now.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

The F.O.M. Test Labs puts a great deal of resources into combating the zombie menace here on Earth and this includes weapons development of course. But in a rare move the Test Labs have approved an outside purchase of the new M1B Rocket Propelled Chainsaw for immediate field use by the Zombie Suppression Unit.

The original manufacturer of the M1B is a closely held secret in the industry and the terms of the contract for the purchase were not disclosed. Ipu Ki has not been able to independently verify reports that the Test Labs also purchased a license to manufacture the M1B and intends to develop modified versions independently.

On condition of anonymity a spokeswoman for the Test Labs said, "as we all know the warmer weather in the summer months makes zombies more mobile and the Zombie Suppression Unit has been extremely active as a result. The heat wave in the Northeastern United States has forced us to increase clone production by 25 percent."

Representatives of the Zombie Suppression Unit dismissed concerns about the impact of deploying a weapon of mass decapitation in heavily populated areas. One field technician said, "this is a surgical weapon uniquely suited to our tactical needs and in fact reduces the risk of collateral damage since we can use fewer air strikes when we encounter a cluster of zombies."

Keep the torches burning (and your powder dry),

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

Anticipation for the second Ohana Luau at the Lake was so high we couldn't wait a full year to sound the call again to gather tikiphiles from all around North America and Europe at the Tiki Resort in Lake George, New York. So the word went out by email, on Facebook, and at parties during the cold winter months... see you at the lake June 25-27, 2010!

And answer the call they did: Ohana 2010 was completely sold out and so was every single room in the Tiki Resort. We were also excited to have representatives from the Easter Island Foundation on hand to observe Fun With a Purpose in person.

After the first Ohana we heard three things from attendees: they wanted warmer weather, better food, and to see more of the Tiki Resort itself. Event planner Michael "Bargoyle" Sullivan took this to heart so the 2010 event kicked off Thursday night with the surreal 80s "In The Air Tonight" prom at the Whispers night club, a hidden gem inside the Tiki complete with working light walls and a gigantic mirror ball. Attendees arrived in a fantastic array of costumes, retro clothes and ready to get down to classic songs from the late-70s and early 80s spun by DJ HiFi Hijinks. By Friday morning it all seemed like a dream as everyone awoke to explore Lake George while the stage and registration tents were being set up.

Once registration opened attendees were greeted with an array of free gifts from our generous sponsors including a custom room crawl glass from Folly Cove Rum, a choice of a t-shirt or bartender shirt from Trader Vic's, coupons from Kahiki Foods, coasters from KegWorks, food samples from Dole Foods, swizzles and match books from Frankie's Tiki Room in Las Vegas and another fantastic Ohana drink swizzle designed by Royer Corp. If that wasn't enough souvenirs for the weekend Ohana t-shirts, event mugs by Squid and other merchandise were on sale also.

As the crowd continued to grow Francis Llacuna started off the entertainment while everyone enjoyed a fresh cocktail and some free Kahiki Foods appetizers from the Paradise Lounge at the Tiki. The news that drink prices had been reduced thanks to generous support from one of our new sponsors, Bols, was extremely well received. Then it was time to put those fancy room crawl glasses and swizzle sticks to work and start the room crawl. The first round included a visit to a capsized ocean liner, a strange witch doctor and a visit with WAITIKI.

Then the action returned to the pool deck where Bamboo Saxotica was bringing big horn sounds to everyone's Exotica favorites as the sun began to set. Round two of the room crawl offered attendees a chance to visit Baltimore, a 70s key party, the undersea lair of a super intelligent fish or a bizarre visit to the headquarters of the alien resistance movement which appeared to be well stocked with St. Lucia rums courtesy of Team Spirits Imports.

The entertainment for the evening ended with the debut performance of the Kahiki Serenaders, a new project from WAITIKI International. Then the final round of the room crawl began with visits to a tropical island being evacuated during a volcanic eruption, the Pineapple Lounge and the strange glowing world of Electric Luauland. As the party wound down 9th Wave put on an acoustic performance from the balcony of the original motel section of the resort.

Saturday brought some ominous clouds and a buzz of excitement as the vendor area opened with the sounds of Virani and Fisherman in the background. The crowd ignored scattered showers while shopping, bidding at the charity silent auction, trying free samples of Folly Cove Rum, watching the mixology action at the second annual Dole Cocktail Contest, and watching some of the more infamous members of the Fraternal Order of Moai take turns sitting in a dunk tank to raise money for the Easter Island Foundation.

As scattered showers became just showers the silent auction and entertainment was forced to move inside. Many guests put down their cocktail to pitch in and help move equipment and auction items inside. The Paradise Lounge became a hub of activity as guests bid on auction items in the lobby of the Waikiki Supper Club, cheered on The Granite Tiki and Francis Llacuna in the Paradise Lounge or enjoyed performances by 9th Wave and WAITIKI in the oddly appropriate Whispers Night Club.

As the weather began to clear cheers erupted when it was announced that dinner would be served inside but the Polynesian show would be outside under the stars! Guests eagerly devoured the 450 lbs. roasted pig that was the centerpiece of the dinner while the show was set up by the pool. However, after a few warm up numbers by the house band, Pearl of Paradise, the skies began to open up again and plans had to be changed.

First everyone gathered again in Whispers for the highly anticipated Mystery Bowl Auction. This year featured six bowls donated by Trader Vic's including two rare conch bowls which are hard to find. Each winning bidder was promised a Trader Vic's drink bowl with a mystery drink created by Suzanne from Forbidden Island, a garnish designed by Kelly at the VelveteenLounge and a tiki pendant by Fred "Fink Daddy" Kroner at Leeward Lounge Creations. Plus each bowl would be delivered by a mystery boy or girl by request. Bidding started slowly but picked up speed when the first conch bowl went on the block and soon the record bid for a bowl at the Mystery Bowl Auction was matched. But this record was soon erased as the second conch bowl fetched nearly double that amount. The presentation of the bowls to the winners kept with the event's tradition of "fun with a purpose" and a record amount was raised for the Easter Island Foundation.

Meanwhile the tireless staff of the Tiki Resort had rearranged the Waikiki Supper Club into theater style seating for the Polynesian show. Everyone headed downstairs to the club as hosts Jimmy Faatauvaa and Ulale Pusi warmly welcomed back the ohana and kicked off the show which featured family members who had flown in from Atlanta and Las Vegas to perform as a group during Ohana Luau at the Lake.

After dancing, hula lessons and fire dancing the show ended on an emotional note as Jimmy Faatauvaa called Michael Sullivan on stage to thank the Fraternal Order of Moai for donating to the relief efforts in Samoa when a tsunami struck the island shortly after Ohana 2009. A set of ceremonial leis brought from Samoa were humbly accepted on behalf of the Order.

Mother nature insisted on the last word so attendees emerged from the show to find the sky clear and dry... of course. But this allowed the nightly drive-in movies to go ahead as planned.

The next morning's hangover brunch and Treasures of the Tiki tour of the property was punctuated by long goodbyes and a promise... "see you next year" as people left to explore Lake George or head for home.

For updates visit us at www.luauatthelake.com and join our mailing list. Or become a fan of Ohana Luau at the Lake on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OhanaLuau.

See you at the Lake!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

Twelve Fellow Moai have received the blue fez during a ritual held during the Order's National Convention in Lake George, New York.

Only certain Moai are called upon to wear the blue F.O.M. fez. They are Honui Moai, considered a person worthy of respect and of authority. It is kapu, forbidden, for anyone else to wear the fez.

The ritual is the final step on the path before a Fellow takes their place among the Honui Moai.

The staff at Ipu Ki are pleased to present a laurel and hearty handshake to our newest Honui:

Beachcomber Brian (Kahiki Chapter)
Captain Quad (Queequeg Chapter)
Exotica59 (Red Palms Chapter)
Granite Tiki (Queequeg Chapter)
Hinano Paul (Tungane)
Johnman (Queequeg Chapter)
Manatiki (Kahiki Chapter )
Powerofthetiki (Kokoru Chapter)
Spiked (Kahiki Chapter)
Tag-Along-Steve (Red Palms Chapter)
Trader Vixen (Tungane)
Turbogod (Kokoru Chapter)

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha,

Last month the Fellows of the Fraternal Order of Moai gathered for the first time at a national convention. Representatives were sent by every chapter of the Order and many of the Moai Tungane were summoned by the Matu'u.

Tagata A'o KukuAhu and Matu'u Cowtown Kahuna began to welcome Fellows and guests at an opening reception but other members of the Sacred 5, led by the Hoa Manu, interrupted the proceedings to present each of them with a new leadership fez inscribed with their title. After the reception Fellow Moai and guests gathered for a torchlight parade to the shore of the lake to witness a ritual performed by the Honui.

In the morning members gathered to mark the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Order, hear reports from standing committees and vote on an initial set of bylaws for the newly formed Fraternal Order of Moai, Inc., an Ohio nonprofit corporation.

After unanimously adopting the bylaws the members welcomed David Rose, President of the Board of Directors for the Easter Island Foundation, and his wife Gail Rose, a member of the foundation's scholarship committee. Mr. Rose thanked the Moai for supporting the foundation and then gave a presentation on the work of the E.I.F., updated members on the first recipient of The Fraternal Order of Moai Scholarship, and then showed a video produced by students participating in 'a pó, the Rapa Nui Youth Involvement Program, which is also supported by the Order.

Before ending the meeting the Matu'u laid out goals for the next five years and the F.O.M. Test Labs have already begun work on the flying cars and personal jetpacks needed to complete the plan.

After the close of the business meeting members broke into groups to participate in seminars on skills like mixology, lamp making, and carving. However, the lamp makers and carvers complained that the mixologists were not providing them with free drinks.

The day ended with the outrageous "In The Air Tonight" 80s themed prom at the amazing Whispers night club in Lake George followed by a midnight outdoor biergarten hosted by the Kon-Tiki Chapter.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

It is time. Hatu unuga ni'o!

Aloha,

Two big names in the beverage world have signed on among the early sponsors of this year's Surf Ohio Festiki. Land Shark Lager and Monster Energy are on board for the second annual edition of the outdoor lifestyle event that blends a day long celebration of surf, tiki and retro culture together with music, art, and other beach-themed activities. Over 3,000 people are expected to converge on the 33-acre Old River Park in Dayton on August 14 for Surf Ohio Festiki 2010, dubbed "the Ultimate Staycation Alternative."

"Surf Ohio is delighted to welcome back Land Shark, and offer our 'aloha' to Monster Energy for Festiki 2010," said Ron Kaplan, Surf Ohio founder and CEO. "Clear Channel Radio and the Fraternal Order of Moai, two of our returning promotional partners, are also excited to work with these two action sports-savvy supporters who will help elevate the Festiki experience for our world class performers and surf fans coming from throughout the Midwest."

Land Shark, the beer brand of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Brewing Company and distributed by Anheuser Busch, is a repeat sponsor of both the Land Shark Pro at New Smryna Beach and Festiki. Monster Energy sponsors two legendary surf contests, the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Challenge and The Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau.

Other Festiki sponsors include Dayton History, Tiki Magazine and Double Crown Records. Event organizers will announce more Festiki 2010 sponsors in the coming weeks. According to Kaplan, these will include additional action sports, travel and outdoor lifestyle organizations and brands, including a formal announcement soon naming Festiki’s Hot Rod Show sponsor.

A variety of prominent venues and attractions at Festiki remain available for naming rights, such as the Surf Ohio Festiki Stage, where seven Hawaiian, surf rock and rockabilly bands, including the legendary Space Cossacks, will perform throughout the day; boat rentals on the venue’s 1.5 mile lagoon; a ginormous custom-carved 15-ton sand sculpture; and the centerpiece of Big Kahuna’s Tiki Torch Lounge, an outdoor picnic area featuring an array of vendors serving island-themed cuisine and chilled beverages.

"A big 'mahalo' goes to our friends at Land Shark and with Monster Energy for enhancing the Festiki 2010 experience while helping to benefit the Surfrider Foundation," Kaplan said.

Surf Ohio Festiki 2010 takes place at Old River Park in Dayton, Ohio, on August 14th. Gates open at 10:00 a.m., with live stage performances beginning at 2:00 p.m. and running through 10:30 p.m. Admission at the gate is $10 per adult, $5 for ages 17 and under, with kids under 9 years old admitted free. For more information and updates, visit www.festiki.com.

Festiki is a production of SurfOhio.com and the Fraternal Order of Moai. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the world’s waves and beaches.

See you in Dayton!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Ohana Luau at the Lake 2010 starts two weeks from today. Are you ready?

Carl Ayotte and Bamboo Saxotica are ready to play for you on Friday night by the pool, check this out.

 
By the way, ticket sales for Ohana 2010 will end on Wednesday, June 16th. So if you are on the fence now is the time to climb down and join us at the Lake.

See you at the Lake!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

Everyone is surprisingly busy here in the virtual islands getting ready for Ohana Luau at the Lake 2010. Cocktail recipes are being rigorously tested, swag bags are being filled, clothes are being sewn, Aloha is being cloned.

We have received the sad news that Pablus cannot join us at the Lake but Granite Tiki and Francis Llacuna will surely have the uke portion of the show well covered!

We also have word that one or two rooms have opened up at the Tiki Resort so if you couldn't get a room before the place sold out, now is your chance. Call now!

Speaking of sold out, the event is nearly sold out too so if you have been waiting to buy tickets this is the time because we will be ending ticket sales in a few days.

Keep the torches burning,

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo

Aloha!

Everyone here at the Ipu Ki News Hut is very excited! Why? For two reasons.

First, Ohana Luau at the Lake 2010 begins one month from now and along with our other generous sponsors we're very happy to welcome back a group of sponsors that have supported a number of our past events including Festiki, the Northeast Tiki Tour, the Hot Rod Hula Hop, and the first Ohana Luau at the Lake of course.

Trader Vic's has supported Fraternal Order of Moai events for a number of years and helped to begin the tradition of auctioning mystery bowls for charity by donating a number of drink bowls at Hot Rod Hula Hop IV. They have also been very generous with items for the charity silent auction and gifts for event attendees in the past. So get your bidding card ready and look for some other surprises from Trader Vic's during the weekend.

Kahiki Foods is bringing their restaurant quality frozen foods to Lake George for the Luau at the Lake. Look for free Kahiki snacks during the weekend, including during the room crawl in the Paradise Lounge. Different items will be served all weekend so try them all. Heck, why wait for June? Find some in your grocer's freezer and try them now.

Tiki Magazine is back with us again. You may even be joining us in Lake George because you saw an ad for the event in the magazine. Fans of Tiki Magazine like to take pictures with a recent issue all over the world and you can too. Don't have a subscription? Don't worry, you can buy a copy of the new Summer issue at Ohana Luau at the Lake 2010.

KegWorks joins us again with gifts for attendees and a huge online store full of professional draft beer equipment, bartending tools, premium cocktail ingredients and commercial bar supplies.

Second... remember we said we had two reasons... we are excited by this video and we think you will be too.

See you at the lake!

—Tagata Maori Rogorogo