Tiki Decor Goes Hand In Hand With Bamboo & Thatch!

Enhancing your home or business with Tiki accessories such as Tiki totems, Tiki masks, Tiki mugs, tropical signs...etc can always be improved with a tropical background. We found that bamboo and thatch can be very inexpensive to add that island touch.
While the Web can be overwhelming we narrow down the search to ThatchAndBamboo.com (http://www.thatchandbamboo.com). They carry the largest selection of bamboo poles (Moso and Tonkin), tropical matting (lauhala matting, Bac-Bac matting, Abaca matting, sea grass matting, lampac matting), thatch panels and covers (Asian and Latin thatch), bamboo fencing and more.
You will be amazed on how a back drop with lauhala matting and bamboo trim can bring a tropical feel to your home.
Top it with a outdoor Tiki statue and here you go...the Mai-Tai is ready to be served!
Did you know?
"Maita'i" is the Tahitian word for "good.

I'm Kawika with your Tiki blog "don't dring too much Mai Tai while building your Tiki Hut".

Tiki Weapon - POLYNESIAN WAR CLUB W/ SHARK TEETH

Did you know?
The Hawaiian Shark Tooth Dagger, or Ile O Mano was used for close range fighting. The butt of the handle was typically fashioned into a dagger with a lanyard attached to the base. The flat part of the blade is used as a shield, and the weapon is used like a club, with the added cutting ability of shark teeth. (check out http://www.tikimaster.com for more detail information)

If possible, female shark teeth were used because they were hollow, and poison could be placed inside them for an added lethal touch to this devastating weapon. The action of the teeth also allow it to be used in a saw-like fashion to cut and tear flesh moving forward or backward.

Many types of Shark Tooth Clubs exist in the Lua. Most have a solid, straight frame with a circular or oblong head, others are open framed with a straight handle and still yet an open framed version with a curved handle similar to a large brass knuckle.

Shark Teeth were also attached to strangling cords. The cords are typically a five cord braid with the teeth set between the cords and embedded in bark cloth or fiber for stiffness.

If you still can't figure out which one to choose, we recommend 2 Web sites where the quality and pricing is very competitive: Tikimaster.com and KoaMaster.com.

Tiki Means Tropical Decor! Does it also ignite Ralaxation & Island Lifestyle?

Anyone who wants to recreate this secrete hideaways can do it fairly easily with thatch, bamboo, Tikis and other tropical accessories.
But what does it really take to feel like you're spending a relaxing vacation in Hawaii, Fiji or Taihiti?
Of course a few Mai-Tai would do the trick or some Kava... With a cool set up, tikified room, bamboo and thatch covering the walls, Tiki mugs everywhere for your favorite cocktails. A cranked out heater during the cold winter...get your Aloha shirt out and get ready to truly enjoy your island lifestyle weekend.
After traveling to Fiji, I realized that it was not realistic to be as relax as the Fijian simply because we create too much stress around us. So maybe I thought if I start sleeping with a coconut under my head as a pillow I will really start to feel the island lifestyle.
Well, let me tell you that did not work too well! I prefer to focus on the Tiki decor accessories, my Aloha shirt, a few Mai-Tai and off you go!

For free consultation on turning one of your room into a tropical hideaways, please call Pohaku at 808-263-8454. A Hui Hou!

Tiki Mugs - Can't Have Tiki Mugs Without a Tiki Bar?

We all know that there is a huge craze about Tiki mugs! It started years ago, thanks to Ebay! I personally increased my collection of Tiki mugs, mostly vintage Tiki mugs...thanks to Ebay!
But how can you collect hundred of Tiki mugs and not have a cool Tiki Bar to greet your friends on the weekend! But, they are many Web site that offers reproduction of the original Tiki mugs for a fraction of the price. Yes, I have spent as high as $250 for a Tiki mug...but I have seen mugs go as high as $1000 go to deeper pockets :-)
Tiki Farm is of course a really course source for Tiki mugs but Thor Hawaii is also a very good designer and manufacturer of Tiki mugs.
So of course, what do you do? You go out and look for the ultimate Tiki bar that will enhance your tropical decor and lifestyle in a big way. Tikimaster.com has been a leader in affordable Tiki bars (see pics); and without breaking the bank you can add a nice Hawaiian touch with Tiki masks, Tiki totems and many other Tiki accessories. Again, we found that TikiOutlet.com was a very user friendly Web site and offering Tiki products at a fraction of the retail price.

For more information, call Gina at 808-263-8454. Aloha!

Hawaiian Tiki - Tikimaster Going International In Tahiti!

I was very surprised when I took my last trip to Papete that Hawaiian Tiki was a big deal! Who would I ever imagined that morning...I was sipping my coffee when I open the local newspaper and to my surprise Tikimaster.com was on top of the local news.
The Tiki culture in the US is growing drastically and I noticed that almost everyday a new Tiki Web site is popping right and left on Google. So what gives?
Well, it's pretty easy nowadays to build a Web site and you have companies such as Source-Tropical.com who drop ship Tikis, Tiki masks, Tiki Totems, Tropical decor, Surf decor and Hawaiian decor products...straight from Hawaii! You don't have to hold any inventory! You make the sale, you profit, they ship. Jerome Coudrier, President of Kamakani Enterprises, Inc is leading the market since 2000 by being at the fore front of the Tiki market.
Let's not forget that Tikimaster.com was also picked up by local news in France, Germany, Japan and Australia in 2007 alone. So is the Tiki trend here to stay?
Well, I think it is more than a trend... it is a lifestyle, a way of thinking!

For more information, please call Nick at 808-263-8454 for more information.

Tiki Blog - First Tiki Sketch Of A Humanize Tiki Totem

We have a fairly large company (unfortunately we cannot name it at this time) who asked us to incorporate the 2 owners/partners of the company into a Tiki totem by respecting the characteristics of each person.
1) First, the challenge is that both are female and most Tikis are male. So first we have to adjust the way the Tiki face is going to look like to appease the look and feel of the Tiki. Yet, someone who knows the two partners should be able to tell who it is. Basically, we sketched out the "50,000 foot view" of what direction we are going and get approval from our customer.

2) Second, we use clay to fashion the true look of each person but yet keeping the Tiki look...this is really an art form of sculpture. Unfortunately, this phase took us at least 20 takes before we could reach the desired result.
3) Finally, we executed the mold into the final production with first the chainsaw for the main lines of the Tiki totem and of course the chisels for the detail carvings.

For more information, please call Gina at 808-263-8454
A Hui Hou,
Keoni

Bulk Tiki Decor - Best Wholesaler & Dropshipper Of Tiki Products, Surf And Hawaiian Decor

We came across one of the best Web site for Tiki decor, Surf Decor and Hawaiian accessories: Source-Tropical.com.
1) If you have a retail store, you can simply apply online to receive a wholesale account.
Program Information:
- Joining Source-Tropical.com Wholesale program is 100% FREE!
- Miminum order is $300 on the first order and $100 thereafter.
- Because shipping may be difficult to assess online upon checkout because of the product various sizes, you may call us anytime at 808-781-3126 or email us at info@source-tropical.com for a quote.
- Shipping: we ship via Fedex Freight for large orders, because of our volume we receive large discounts from Fedex whhich we pass onto our customers.
- Orders can now be placed by phone, fax, web or mail.
- Please allow 48 hours (for us to process your order), plus shipping to receive your products.
2) If you have a Web site, then they offer dropshipping which allows you to sell all of their products without holding any inventory.
Drop Shipping Summary:
- You sell the item at the price of your choice.
- You sell the product to a customer.
- You collect the payment from the customer.
- You place the order at Source-Tropical.com.
- We ship the item directly to your customer.
- You pocket the difference between your price and our price.

For more information call Gina at 808-263-8454 between 8:00AM to 4:00PM (HST)

Indoor Tiki Vs. Outdoor Tiki - What Wooden Tiki Is Best Suited?

For indoor application you can overlook what kind of wood your Tiki is made of so long you like the design and the details of the carvings. Here are 4 different types of wood for Tiki carvings:

1) Pine wood is the cheapest wood you can get, it won't last for ever outside. The wood is light hence it is very affordable to ship. The details into the wood can't be as deep as other type of outdoor wood. Because the pine is white, often the Tiki mask or Tiki totem will end up being painted on.

2) Palm wood is a great durable wood, yet still affodable in terms of pricing. It is very heavy and will increase your shipping cost quite quickly. It is not possible to give tiny details into the palm wood, but great for architectural design such as large Tiki totem poles.

3) Acacia Koa is by far the best wood for Tiki carving in terms of grain, quality, durability and the details that can be applied into it. Acacia Koa can be found in Hawaii and most tropical climate countries.

4) Iron wood is the ultimate wood for architectural and structural application. It is very difficult to carve and most of your tool will go to waste before you're done with your carving.

Here is a good description of different wood that we found on Tikimaster.com.
For additional questions, please contact Noemi (808) 263-8454

How to Carved a Tiki? 3-step process by Tikimaster.com

Have you ever wonder...well how could I carve my first Tiki? It is recommended not to try on a large log but the principal is the same.
Don't forget, the greener the wood is the easier it is to carve it. But it is also key to cure the wood correctly, which means time is NOT of the essence. The slower it takes to cure the wood, the lesser chance you will see cracks in the future.

More about Tikis: Hawaiian Tikis are spiritual figures who use their big, scary mouths and menacing expressions to frighten away evil. Their headdresses vary and have different meanings according to the shape.

First identify a log which is as straight as possible and make you first cut to delimit the neck from the body.

Second, draw the eyes of the Tiki, the head dress, the base, the legs, the nose...etc. Basically all the details that you want featured on the carved Tiki.


Third, that's where the fun begins! For the larger Tikis, you will need to use a chainsaw to carve 70 to 80% of the Tiki, then thanks to various chisels you will get down to the nitty-gritty to bring the details to the front. The last 20% will take 80% of your time as there is no limit on how detailed you want your Tiki to be.

For more information, please contact one of our carvers by responding to this post.
Aloha from the friendly Hawaiian isles!

Carved Tiki Totem Poles - Hawaiian & Tiki Decor

Tikimaster.com core competency resides in custom carvings, we work with some of the best Tiki carvers in the world. We specialize in "In Home Carving Services" where our master carver will simply execute any custom projects on site... From carving trees, furnitures, doors, gate...etc. In the past, we've had some of our carvers flown to the mainland to take on some custom Tiki projects.

Tradeshows! You want to differentiate yourself from the competition? Our carvers will put on a Live Carving Entertainment show that your customers will never forget!

We have been building Tiki bars for the last 20 years, from bar stools, chairs, tables, bars to murals...We've done it all! Our Polynesian master carvers will help you achieve your goal by realizing your plans. Custom projects can include: custom wooden surfboard, giant wooden slippers, Outrigger paddles, Hawaiian canoes and more...

For some of you who have visited the Hawaiian Islands, maybe there is something that you wanted to purchase that you could not find or you simply did not have the time. Tikimaster.com will strive to find it for you, please contact us or visit our online store!

Some of our services include:
- Chainsaw Live Entertainment
- Custom Tiki Bar
- Island Lifestyle Interior Deco
- On-Site Carvings...

TOP 10 Island Home Decor Web sites - Tiki, Surf, Hawaiian, Pirate, Tropical & Coastal Decor

The ranking was based on the following criteria: products availability, quality, shipping turn-around, usability (ease of use and navigation):
1) Tikimaster.com: all around best Web site for Tikis, surf decor, Tiki bar decor and island decor
2) CoastalDecoration.com: great Web site for coastal living decor, beach and nautical decor
3) Source-Tropical.com: premier Web site for wholesale and drop shipping of island lifestyle products
4) KoaMaster.com: unique Web site, one-of-a-kind Hawaiian artifact made of Hawaiian Koa wood
5) TikiOutlet.com: largest selection of Tiki products for budget conscious shoppers
6) ThatchandBamboo.com: world largest selection of bamboo poles, tropical matting, thatch and Tiki bars
7) AlohaMaster.com: huge selection of Hawaiian gifts from dashboard hula dolls to island photo frames
8) PirateDecoration.com: for pirate lovers, great selection of skull and bones decor, pirate wall hanging artifacts
9) Beach-Signs.com & Nautical-Signs.com: each Web site is focusing on beach Vs. Nautical decor
10) Surfing-Monkey.com: traditional Hawaiian and tropical decor Web site. Great selection and friendly customer service.

I hope this selection of Web site will help you in your next special occasion or home decor projects.
Mahalo Nui Loa,
Kamaile (blog writer)
808-263-8454

Tiki Decor Vs. Surf Decor! Is there a better Fit?

A lot of our readers ask us if Tiki decor and surf decor are the same?
Well, while they are completely different you will find in many cases that they overlap. Quite often, someone who is into surfing will have an attraction for Tikis and vice-versa. The surfing culture has been around for years, on the other hand the Tiki culture was a big hit in the 50's - 60's and only now is coming back.

We found that Tikimaster.com and SurfingMaster.com have done a reaaly good job as far as separating the two.

For more questions,
ask Jenny Leony (blog writer)
(80) 263-8454

Tiki Carving - Hawaiian Hand Carved Relief In The Making By Tikimaster

While Tiki carving is a lot of fun; I have to admit that carving large relief is really rewarding. You can really express yourself through that chisel and basically tell stories... According to Kealoha, the best wood that you can use is Acacia Koa (also known in Hawaii as Monkey Pod). The grain is very close to the Hawaiian Koa and it allows for deep and detail carvings.

Known fact: "Wood is perfect for troubled youth to work with," says Master Carver Kealoha. "Wood absorbs negative energy, and when something beautiful is made from it, the spirit of the wood emerges."

It takes about 4 weeks to complete a Hawaiian storyboard from scratch. I was very delighted to see 4 amazing work of art displayed at the newly opened restaurant "The Holokai Grill" in Waikiki (Beach Walk - corner of Kalakawa and Lewers).

For more information contact Pohaku at 808-263-8454.

Tiki Bar - Ultimate 8-stool Tiki Bar - Tiki Bar Decor

Why trying to build your own Tiki Bar when you can get one for half the price? If you are looking for the ultimate in tiki bars, look no further! The Island Tiki Bar 2 is a premium quality, commercial grade bar, hand crafted for a lifetime of enjoyment. Massive, beautiful and available in a natural & deep Mahogany stain finish. This tiki bar is constructed using the high quality bamboo & hardwoods and includes 8 bar chairs. The wood is harvested only after attaining maximum strength, and is then finished using superior joinery by experienced craftsmen.

TIKI BAR-TROPICAL DECOR
Imagine yourself sipping a Mai Tai, Strawberry Daiquiri or other cool tropical drink by the pool while seated at your own authentic Tiki bar! Hand constructed from high quality bamboo & hardwoods, these sets are sturdy as well as beautiful . Roof panels are hand-crafted thatch. OurTiki bars include durable bar stools , a built -in rack for holding glassware, plus a sliding and a fixed shelf to hold tall and short bottles of your favorite libations and mixers!

Hawaiian Turtle - Hand Carved By Tikimaster - Hawaii Decor

Did you know?
The green sea turtle is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle. Adults of this species commonly reach 100 cm in carapace length and 150 kg in mass. The average size of a female nesting at the French Frigate Shoals was reported in 1980 to be 92 cm straight carapace length, with an average body mass of 115 kg.

Hawaiian Green Turtle Quick Facts

Hawaiian green sea turtles are listed as threatened.

* Found throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago, a range of about 2450 km
* A gentle vegetarian, feeding almost exclusively on algae
* The most valuable of all reptiles, they were once killed for their skins, calipee, meat and shells, but are no longer hunted in Hawaii
* In parts of Hawaii (Honokowai) more than 90% of the green sea turtles are afflicted with fibropapilloma tumors
* The largest of the hard-shelled marine turtles: common adult weight of 115 kg and length of over 90 cm
* Hatchlings: 4-5 cm in length Hawaiian Green Turtle Quick Facts

The below turtle was hancarvedd by Tikimaster.com! Photo courtesy of Tikimaster.com.

* Found throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago, a range of about 2450 km
* A gentle vegetarian, feeding almost exclusively on algae
* The most valuable of all reptiles, they were once killed for their skins, calipee, meat and shells, but are no longer hunted in Hawaii
* In parts of Hawaii (Honokowai) more than 90% of the green sea turtles are afflicted with fibropapilloma tumors
* The largest of the hard-shelled marine turtles: common adult weight of 115 kg and length of over 90 cm
* Hatchlings: 4-5 cm in length

Tiki - Tiki Mask "Love & Prosperity" - Tiki Decor

I had a reader looking for a Tiki mask that could represent Love & Prosperity...Well I did find a Tiki mask with both meaning. It is hand carved in Hawaii and made of Acacia Koa, this piece seems to be an outdoor piece. Here is the detail description of it from Tikimaster.com:
Here is a beautiful and thick hand carved Tiki mask made from premium wood (Acacia), perfect for indoor or outoor! Carving such a mask is actually more involved than a totem, the log has to completely be carved out. The mask measures 36 inches by 10 inches. The color is naturally gold/brown with shade of beige.


This is a beautiful piece of art! This Tiki mask was carved with great attention to details. Perfect indoor or outdoor Tiki for your garden!

Hawaii - Hokulea Voyaging Canoe - Hawaiian Tradition

Hawaii is one of the most remote places on Earth. The islands are fully 2,000 miles from the nearest inhabited places in the South Pacific. It takes five hours by jet to get there today from the South Pacific or from the U.S. mainland. Imagine what time it took for a sailing craft from the South Pacific, headed north to an unknown destination.

The Hokulea has made the voyage several times, usually without any modern navigation aids, manned by modern Hawaiians, after being built in 1975 by a group of aficionados known as The Polynesian Voyaging Society. In 1976 the Hokulea sailed down to Tahiti and back, a feat it repeated in 1980. In 1985-1987 the double-hull canoe made a voyage of discovery throughout the South Pacific, visiting many remote islands. During a 1995 voyage the Hokulea made record time going to Tahiti and Micronesia.

Hokulea means "Star of Joy," after a star, Arcturus, that hangs over the islands.

Tiki - Shell Shocked Tiki By Thor Hawaii - Pop Art Tiki Decor

Who is Thor? Tom Thordarson, or "THOR" as he is best known by both collectors of his work and the growing awareness in the art community, can truly take your imagination on a journey unlike any other. His life as an artist began when he was just old enough to hold a pencil. With his mother being an artist as well, she would hand him paper and pencils to "keep him out of mischief," as she would say. The years spent drawing and painting would soon become a powerful tool to communicate his intense imagination and endless spirit of adventure in his career to be.

Tikimaster.com is proud to display and sell Thor's product line from Tikis, Tiki mugs, Tiki prints to high end Tiki art pieces.

In his own words, Thor explains, "Creating my own entertainment and building my own toys was an activity I was highly encouraged to do as a kid. I learned to believe in the real magic and power of my imagination. I believed that if I could draw something with enough passion and thought, then what would stop it from becoming something I could touch or walk into one day?”

Tiki - Maori Tiki Carving By Tikimaster - Tiki Decor

What do you know about Maori Tattoo?
Among the Maori, tattooing is a very meaningful, common, and sacred form of art. The Maori believe that Mataora was responsible for bringing Moko (tattooing) to the world as a symbol of love and commitment for his wife, Niwareka. By enduring the tremendous pain of the tattoo, Mataora proved to his father-in-law, Uetonga, that he was worthy of continuing his relationship with Niwareka. As a result of this experience, Mataora also learned the art of applying the Moko.

What about Maori Tikis? Well, often Maori Tikis can be distinguished by their tongue sticking out. This often used in Polynesia to scare off your opponent. Many Tiki carvings now integrate the Maori design.

Tiki - Three Majors Hawaiian Tiki God - Tiki Learning

Did you know? Eventhough there are so many different Tiki carving that in fact there is only 4 major Hawaiian Tiki God in the Hawaiian Mythology:
God Ku
Created by Na' wahine and Kane, and married to Hina. Ku and his manifestations, such as Ku-ka-ilimoku (Ku, the eater of islands -- the personal god of King Kamehameha,I) were brought to Hawaii by Pa'ao and when that happened, the original order was overthrown. When Ku became as the primary god of Hawaii (somewhere between 750, and 1250 A.D.), the balanced system where men and women were honored equally was overthrown. Today, Ku is the prevailing deity in the Heiau of Hawaii, and so women are not allowed on the platforms of the Heiau and are not allowed to make offerings. While we do not agree with the Kapu against women in today's current system, we respect the beliefs of the current Kapu system. The days of dishonor to women are over, however, and it is time to end that prohibition. Tiki Ku is Lord of the North� Most people just know him as the god of war,"... "but Ku is so much more complex. He is the god of fishing, who built the first fishpond in Hana. He is the god of husbandry and farming, represented by the 'o'o , the digging stick, which penetrates the earth and makes it fertile. He is the god of war and conflict, but also of resolution and healing."

God Lono
Is the son of Na' wahine and Kane, and married to Laka. Lono is the god of learning, and intellect, and as Lono-i- ka-makahiki, is the god of the freedom of the end of the year. Lono has a number of aspects, such as Lono-makua who starts fire with a staff called pahoa. (In ancient times, the women did not start fires, men did, so the men cooked.) Lono is lord of the east.

God Kane
Io sent Mana across the Po, and created Kane, Io's son -- one of the creators of life on this earth. Kane was created, then Na' wahine was created. Keawe, Kane, and Na' wahine dwell together in the house of the sun (Hale a ka La). Kane is the primordial lord of the sun, and also appears in many different aspects which are personifications of natural phenomena such as Kane-hekili, the god of the thunder, and in the Taro root which, like Kane is purple. Kane is represented by an uncarved upright stone, since mankind cannot put form to the formless one. Kane is lord of the west.

God Kanaloa
Son of Na' wahine and Kane, and married to Tapo. Kanaloa is the ruler of the oceans, and consequently the ruler of the Mana. Kanaloa channels or funnels the Mana that comes from Io to Kane to Kanaloa. Since Kanaloa is the ruler of Mana, he is also invoked in some cases to alleviate or disperse disease (see the chant Pule Hee). Kanaloa is Lord of the South. When the Christian Missionaries arrived, they decided that Kanaloa was the devil, cast out of heaven. We do not believe that this was originally the case, since the Christian church has had a history of branding local deities as the devil, as for example, the god Pan in western Europe.

Hawaiian Art - Mix Art with Prestigious Hawaiian Koa Wood

KoaMaster.com "The Ultimate Koa Source"
Have you ever seen from up close the beauty of Hawaiian Koa wood? A picture speaks a thousand words...well here it is! Koa is measures by the 3-D effect that your eyes can see inside the grain of the wood. The more curls and depth, the more expensive the wood is. Koa is used to make art pieces from Hawaiian Koa weapons, Hawaiian Koa paddles to Koa boxes, furnitures, canoes and more.

The attached picture features a traditional Lei O Mano with Tiger shark teeth that was used in Hawaiian battles. A large selection of Koa art is available at http://www.koamaster.com.

Did you know? The curls from the Koa wood are considered as stretch marks created from the wind. The higher the tree grows in the mountain, the more "stretch marks" the wind will create by the movement of the tree. Koa trees in the valley tend to be more simple as far as the grain goes.

Tiki - Largest Supplier Of Tikis In Hawaii: Tiki Totem, Tikis & Tiki Masks

On your next trip to Hawaii...make sure to stop by Tikimaster.com! They carry the largest inventory of Tikis I have ever seen. I traveled to Hawaii for many years and thought that the International Market Place was IT! Boy was I wrong! Only 20 min away from Honolulu, Tikimaster.com (Kamakani Enterprises, Inc) has over 15,000 sq/ft of hand carved products from Tikis, Tiki masks, Hawaiian canoes to surf decor (including surf signs, hand carved surf boards), traditional Hawaiian weapons made of Koa and shark teeth.

Tikimaster.com is working directly with local carvers but also from Polynesia (Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti and more). Even though it looks like a warehouse from the outside, you will feel like stepping into a museum. I was also very impressed with their state of the art shipping facility, it's not just any local company! Tikimaster.com also has a branch on the West Coast where they ship their bigger products such as Tiki bar, bamboo poles, thatch and thatch covers, tropical matting and island tropical decor accessories.
Kamaili/Blog reporter

Tiki 2008 - New Carved Tiki 9 FOOTER - Made in Hawaii

I just wanted to start 2008 the right way, I started mid December to carve this Ku Tiki from a single log of Monkey Pod (Acacia Koa). I started with the chainsaw but quickly I had to use the chisel to give the hand carved look and feel. This Ku Tiki - Tiki of strength - weighs about 1500 lbs. The Tiki has already been spoken for and it will take a trip to San Diego...Oh by the way good job CHARGERS on your win today 1/06/08 against the Titans.

The challenge is to move it and crate it without breaking off the arms or the head piece. We use a pretty heavy duty fork lift from the army where the blades are able to rotate 18o degrees. What we're going to do is apply a natural finish to nourish the wood and protect it from the outdoor elements. As the wood is aging the color of the Tiki will become darker. Also, please make sure that the wood is as green as possible before starting the Tiki carving process; it just makes it easier as opposed to an old log.

Then another key element is to let the wood dry on its own to prevent major cracking. If you want the wood to cure properly...time is your best asset!

I'm now planning on carving a Kuka Ilimoku (Tiki God of King Kamehameha) which will be carved from a log of iron wood. The Tiki will measure 10 feet tall and our customer requested to have the Tiki stained in dark brown.

Tiki Learning: The four main gods were Kane, Ku, Lono and Kanaloa. Demi-gods included Pele and many others. Kane was the god of sunlight, fresh water, and natural life. Ku was the god of war and the male generating power. Lono was the god of peace, fertility, winds, rain and sports. Kanaloa was god of the ocean; Pele, the goddess of fire. The complexities of the relationships between all Hawaiian gods are explained in many legends.

Each Hawaiian family had its own aumakua (personal god) which protected them. For some it was the shark, others the pig, and so on. It was thought that spirits could communicate to the living through dreams and often appeared in the form of the family's aumakua.

Holokai Grill Restaurant - Coolest Polynesian & Tiki Experience in Hawaii

Visiting Hawaii? Staying in Waikiki? You've got to take the time to dine (lunch or breakfast for that matter) at the Holokai Grill restaurant. The decor is absolutely amazing...there is a staggering 33 foot Waka canoe from New Zealand in the middle of the restaurant, a hanging Hokulea sailing canoe at the entrance, a 20-foot Hawaiian outrigger canoe over the bar area. Of course, you will enjoy 5 or 6 very impressive traditional Tikis without omitting the Polynesian wooden Hawaiian storyboards carved from a single piece of wood. The Holokai Grill hired Tikimaster.com to complete all the art pieces which was completed in the NorthShore of Oahu with a team of 6 carvers.

Here is what you eat at the Holokai Grill restaurant at the popular Waikiki Beach Walk on Lewers:
Menu: We offer a Pacific-Rim menu with island flavors balanced with American comfort foods. We focus on dishes using fresh, locally grown ingredients from the land and sea.

Entertainment: Live entertainment nightly by established and emerging contemporary Hawaiian musicians, and Hawaiian & Pacific
storytellers.

Décor: Holokai Grill will be infused with a casual island theme focusing on Polynesian voyaging. We will be featuring artwork and voyaging items from different regions around the Pacific, including a hand-carved, 33-foot New Zealand War Canoe, created specifically for Holokai Grill.

Tiki Bar - Voted Best Tiki Bar on the Web by Consumer Digest!

Building a Tiki bar can be a real challenge. Eventhough there are many books/manual available on "How to build your own Tiki Bar?", it takes a lot of time and effort to make it happen. After years of research an development we finally decided to go to production with our high quality-low cost Tiki Bar. Picture this: Imagine yourself sipping a Mai Tai, Strawberry Daiquiri or other cool tropical drink by the pool while seated at your own authentic Tiki bar! Hand constructed from high quality bamboo & hardwoods, these sets are sturdy as well as beautiful . Roof panels are hand-crafted thatch. OurTiki bars include durable bar stools , a built -in rack for holding glassware, plus a sliding and a fixed shelf to hold tall and short bottles of your favorite libations and mixers!


Island tiki bars have a lacquer finish that allow them to be used outdoors. They can also be used to instantly create a tropical look indoors, and at 7.5' high they will fit in rooms incorporating a standard 8' ceiling without modification. We pay extra attention to detail during manufacturing, resulting in indoor/outdoor furniture of higher quality than other units on the market, yet our prices are as much as $2,500 lower than similar tiki bars!
Island tiki bars come disassembled to reduce your shipping costs. Assembly is easy, with only common household tools and 10-15 minutes required. Assembled dimensions are 6.5' long x 2.5' deep x 7.5' high. Available in two colors: mahogany (a beautiful light reddish-brown tone), and natural (these are a rich golden-brown in color).
From the island of Aloha!
Kealoha (a.k.a Tikimaster)

Tiki - Tiki Masks Versus Tiki totems?

As we all know...selecting a Tiki can be difficult simply because of the many shape and forms available on the market. Why should you use a Tiki mask versus a Tiki totem? A Tiki mask is mostly used for indoor or entry way to greet your guest and protect your home from the evil spirit. Here is an example of Tiki mask measuring 40" with a price point of $49:

Of course many of us have created this special relaxing place with a Tiki bar and some tropical decor accessories. The most important is to choose a outdoor Tiki that can handle the weather, for that pine is NOT recommended for the long run. If you want your Tiki to be the same 10 to 20 years from now the Acacia Koa or Monkey Pod is the best wood selection. Here is an example of premium Acacia Koa Tiki totems:

Still not sure what to get, ask the master carver himself! We are always standing by to answer any questions you may have. Aloha! ~Kealoha (a.k.a. Tikimaster)

Giant Tiki Carving - 9FT Kuka Ilimoku

This is my biggest Tiki that I carved so far...the "Tiki Story" behind it is that the Waikiki zoo was going to cut down a 150-year old tree for safety reason. Usually, trees are cut into pieces and are going to the green waste...thanksfully Tikimaster.com and its team were able to salvage this beautiful tree and make a magnificent Tiki from it. The tree is from the same family as Monkey Pod but this one was an Air Pod (technical name is Acacia Koa). It took me about 3 weeks to carve it, the Tiki weighed 2000 lbs. The only way to move it was with the use of a fork lift... The Tiki was purchased by the living legend of windsurfing Robby Naish.
The Tiki has a nice home overlooking the Northshore on the island of Maui.

Where do Tiki lovers eat in Waikiki?

If you come to Waikiki...2 restaurants come to mind: Tikis & Grill and The Holokai Grill. Each are unique and different, if you are a Tiki lover and want to experience an open bar with a good view then Tikis is the place to go to.
On the other hand the Holokai is a more Polynesian adventure, located on the 2nd floor of Lewers and Kalakawa Avenue of the new redesign Beach Walk. There you will see giant carved Tikis, Waka canoes from New Zealand, Hawaiian Hokulea canoe and very impressive Hawaiian storyboards... Of course my judgement might be influenced by the fact that Tikimaster.com was hire to complete the entire project. Here is a link with additional pictures of all the pieces done for the Holokai Grill.

My first Tiki carving

Well, it does not make me any younger but here is my first Tiki carving...Unfortunately at this time I was not using any chainsaws like I do for the bigger pieces but it was all chiseled by hand. As you can see the details of the Tiki were not very accurate...Being the first carving, it has been the most meaningful one :)

This Ku Tiki - Tiki of strength - is also known as the Tiki of healing and more.
This Tiki is available at http://www.tikimaster.com for purchase.

Mahalo Nui Loa,
Kealoha (a.k.a Tikimaster)