Turtles, Turtles Everywhere at Tikimaster.com!

Turtles adorn many art pieces at Tikimaster.com! But why you may ask??

In Hawaii, turtles, referred to as honu, are considered very good luck. If you see a turtle before you enter the water for a swim or for a surf, the Hawaiians believe that you will be protected during your stay in the water. The large sea turtles that inhabit the Hawaiian waters are magical to watch. In the clear water, you can see the round figure of their large bodies, and every so often they pop up their tiny heads to grab a breathe. They are a wonderfully peaceful creature.

There are three species of sea turtles native to the Hawaiian Islands: the Green, the Hawksbill, and the Leatherback. These fascinating creatures have played important roles in the environment and culture of Hawaii's people. Of the three native sea turtles, the Green Turtle (Honu) is the most common.

These turtles, which can weigh up to 400 pounds, are primarily vegetarians. They eat algae or limu (Hawaiian seaweed) growing underwater on coral reefs and on rocks close to shore. Green turtles prefer to live near large "pastures" of limu that are located in near shore waters around the Hawaiian Islands. The carapaces (upper shells) of adults are dark with olive or gold flecks and receive their name from the color of their body fat rather than their shell color.

Tikimaster.com thinks that it is extremely important to honor this wonderful creature. So, with any purchase of $100 or more on our turtle items, we will give you a free upgrade of 2 days shipping.

Modern Pop-Art Tikis have arrived!

Usually, people view tikis and tiki masks as traditional art from the Hawaiian Islands, but Tikimaster.com decided to take tiki art one step further. We think our new line of pop-art tikis is soooo groovy!

So why buy a pop-art tiki rather than a tradional tiki? Well, there's one simple answer COLOR! The pop-art tiki line is carved carefully by hand, like traditional tikis, but you will notice that the lines of the carving are very simple and after the carving is completed vivid colors are carefully placed on each tiki, tiki mask, or tiki signs to make the piece of art really POP!

Give your tiki themed room or tiki bar the COLOR POP that it needs to bring you into spring!

Visit Tikimaster.com to view and purchase all of our new pop-art tikis!

Chao Baby!

Pirates have hit Tikimaster.com!

The pirates and all of their booty have hit tikimaster.com! It's all the rage....pirate decor! Before being able to jump head-on into the pirate phenomenon one must first know a bit of pirate history.

The history of piracy dates back more than 3000 years, but its accurate account depends on the actual meaning of the word ‘pirate’. In English, the word piracy has many different meanings and its usage is still relatively new. Today, some uses of the word have no particular meaning at all. The Greek historian Plutarch, writing in about 100 A.D., gave the oldest clear definition of piracy. He described pirates as those who attack without legal authority not only ships, but also maritime cities. Piracy was described for the first time, among others, in Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey. Another popular meaning of the word in medieval England was "sea thieves".

For all of the latest and coolest pirate decor, visit tikimaster.com. Ahoi matties!

Coastal Decor at Tikimaster.com

Have you ever flipped though the pages of Coastal Living Magazine and wished you could create a room from one of the pages? Well, Tikimaster.com can help you and for a fraction of the cost.

Some shoppers think that tikimaster.com only carries tikis and Hawaiiana, but we have much more. Although tikis, tiki masks, and tiki totems are tikimaster.com's primary inventory, we also have coastal decor, beach decor, and even pirate decor. What better way is there to create a new look in your home today.

One easy way to achieve a coastal look in your home is to pick a light color for your walls. Antique whites are very popular as well as pale blues, yellows and greens. When looking at furniture pick pieces that are made of wicker or fabrics that are organic in nature with leaves, flowers, branches etc. The final step is to add elements that remind you of the coast.

At Tikimaster.com we have everything coastal from boat steering wheels to shells. Also, check out, Coastaldecoration.com, one of our affiliate websites.

Tikimaster.com Carves for Quicksilver House

Tikimaster.com carved it up at the Quicksilver Pro. Surfers' House in the north shore of Oahu!

Tikimaster.com was contracted to carve tiki faces into two palm trees which are about 10-feet tall. The property is one of four houses used by QuickSilver to house professional surfers during the winter time competitions.

The initial phase consisted of using the chainsaw to make the major cuts, then hand tools followed to make the fine details of the tiki face come alive. We decided on one specific tree close to the home's lanai where we carved a tiki face on each side so that it could be seen not only from the house but also from the driveway! After the carvings were finished, we installed spotlights to create even more ambiance.

The second tree was topped off about 3 years ago, unlike the first tree which was topped off about 6 month ago. This tree was very dry and hard, hence the use of the chainsaw and no hand tools at all. Once the bark of the coconut tree was removed, we started by cutting the outer lines of the tiki totem. The lower face was fairly easy, the higher one was a little more challenging because of the precarious positions that we had to be on the ladder! The challenge of course was to be able to carve on the ladder while manipulating the chainsaw! Upon, completion we decided to add Pele's hair to the two tiki totems to give them hair! It really finished off their faces perfectly!

Visit Tikimaster.com for all of your custom carving needs. Check out our services section on the website.

Tiki Gifts & Tiki Accessories - Tikimaster.com is THE TIKI MALL!

After much browsing on the Web we came to the conclusion that Tikimaster.com has the most comprehensive selection of Tiki gifts ranging from Tiki shower hooks, Tiki dashboards, bathroom decor (trash can, Tiki soap pump, Tiki tooth brush holder), Tiki prints and much more.

Of course, let's not forget their extensive selection of hand carved Tiki masks starting at $9 for a 8 inch wooden hand carved mask or a 10 inch Tiki totem starting at $19.

If you wish to fall into the primitive Tikis, Tikimaster.com and TikiOutlet.com carry also a large selection of Tiki action figures: canoeing Tiki, Surfing Tiki, Drum Player Tiki, Windsurfing Tiki...etc.

Not into Tiki decor, no worries...Tikimaster.com can also turn itself into Surfing decor with SurfingMaster.com or Coastal decor with CoastalDecoration.com.

While they offer a Priority Mail shipping service across the US, often you can request a FREE upgrade to Fedex 2-Day service on the bigger pieces.

Call Gina at 808-263-8454 for more information.
Mahalo Nui Loa,
Kristin - Blog Reporter

Tikimaster.com Spring Tiki Design Challenge!

The groundhog has declared that spring is right around the corner, and at Tikimaster.com that means our annual Tiki Design Challenge! It's time to dust the snow off of your tiki bar, get the deck furniture out of storage and start decorating! We challenge you to come up with the most exotic design using tiki totems, tiki masks, tiki bars, thatch & bamboo....anything tiki on your deck or patio. No matter what size your outdoor area is, a tiki theme will make you feel like you are basking in the sun on the beach in Hawaii!

Don't be scared to go tiki-wild!! It's a no-holds-bar competition to show us what you've got! Feel free to add in elements of surf decor, tropical decor, and anything aloha! Send us a picture of your finished master piece and we will enter you in a drawing to win $200 of tiki merchandise!

Designs will be judged on originality, creativity, and use of tiki materials! Good Luck!

For all of your tiki decorating needs, visit Tikimaster.com! Also check out our affiliated websites: Alohamaster.com, surfingmaster.com and koamaster.com for great ideas for your designs!

Smooth Sailing Polynesian Style-Hawaiian Decor

Tikimaster.com has recently added a great selection of model sailing vessels including, waka canoes, single hull sailing canoes, and double hull warrior canoes. Here's a little background on the very popular waka canoe.

Waka are Maori watercraft, usually canoes, ranging in size from small ornamented canoes (waka tīwai) used for fishing and river travel, to large decorated war canoes (waka taua) up to 40 meters long. In recent years, large double-hulled canoes of considerable size have been constructed for oceanic voyaging to other parts of the Pacific.

Waka taua (war canoes) were large canoes manned by up to 80 paddlers and up to 40 metres in length. Waka taua . Many are single-hulled vessels made from a hollowed-out tree trunk. Large waka, which are usually elaborately carved and decorated, may consist of several jointed pieces lashed together. Waka taua are no longer used in warfare. The resurgence of Māori culture has seen an increase in the numbers of waka taua built, generally on behalf of a tribal group, for use on ceremonial occasions.

These model canoes make great gifts for the avid sailor or for someone who just loves the sea. Tikimaster.com can even custom make any type of canoe, like we did for The Holokai Grill Restaurant, in Waikiki, for any purpose you can think of.

Smooth sailing from Tikimaster.com.

Get Groovy with Vintage Lamps

Tikimaster.com wants you to get your groove on with vintage hula and tiki lamps. It's so retro and so cool!

These beauties may not be real vintage, but they are reproductions of vintage hula lamp favorites. The lamps are handpainted with great attention to detail. They come with beautifully hand crafted lauhala shades with various vintage figure designs at the base. Tikimaster.com has the traditional vintage hula table lamps, as well as bamboo carved lamps and even hula and surf themed night lights. These gorgeous light pieces will add to any room and make you feel the aloha even when your not in the Islands.

Tikimaster.com also carries tiki lamps. These lamps are great additions to any tropical themed room or they will make your tiki bar that much cooler! Tikimaster.com carries an array of tiki themed lamps including, tiki candle lamps, tiki bamboo lamps, and regular table lamps.

Light up your life with vintage reproductions of the classic hula girl lamps or a hand carved tiki lamp at Tikimaster.com.

Celebrate President's Day - Tiki Style!

From everyone here at Tikimaster.com, we wish you a wonderful day off on President's Day. Here on the islands of Hawaii, we tend to get together with our friends and ohana (family in Hawaiian) and have a luau BBQ. We hang the ol' stars and stripes, light up the grill, clean up the tiki bar, mix some mai tais (see our previous blog for a great recipe) and toast to the old guys (that's in Presidents).

Tikimaster.com thinks that every BBQ should incorporate tikis! We like to decorate our pop-up tents on the beach with tiki masks and large totems. It invites people passing by to drop in and share a cold one with us! We'd like to share Tikimaster.com's secret family recipe for Chicken Teriyaki on the grill with you!
Ingredients
1 chicken or 4-5 chicken breasts
1/2 cup Aloha shoyu (if can get it) or regular soy sauce will do.
1/4 cup oil
2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, mashed
1 generous Tbs. finely chopped fresh ginger

Method

-Combine ingredients for the marinade, then marinade the chicken for 1 - 2 hours, it's even better if you marinade over night.
-Place chicken on a medium hot grill and cook for about 10 minutes on each side. Or bake in a large shallow roasting pan and bake at 325º for about 1 and 1/2 hours or longer, basting every 15 minutes with some of the marinade.

ALOHA FROM TIKIMASTER.COM

Fijian And Samoan Fighting Clubs - Another Tiki Decor Accessories?

One might wonder if the Fijian and Samoan fighting clubs are used for tropical decor or Tiki decor...
The answer is "YES". While they were used in bloody situation, today the fighting clubs are seen as art pieces that you hang on the wall or even to accessories your Tiki bar.
Some of the most popular Fijian and Samoan fighting clubs are called: Fish hook, Nifo Oti (dancing knife), Neck Braker, Throwing clubs and much more. Use like an axe to crack skull and break bones. Targets the head, arms and legs. Can make a clean break of the bones without much bleeding.

The Samoan clubs are easy to recognized, they are usually black with detailed carving on both side of the club. The wood used is iron wood also known as Vesi wood. Fijian and Samoan would leave the wood underground for x amount of time to give the back natural color.
The Fijian clubs are very well executed with inlays; you can discover their work through Tikimaster.com (http://www.tikimaster.com) who has an extensive collection of them in addition to the Hawaiian weapons made of shark teeth and Koa wood.
For more information on Polynesian weapons, visit Tikimaster.com.
Mahalo,
Kealoha - "Your Polynesian Fighting Club Expert"

Custom Projects are a custom for Tikimaster.com

Tiskimaster.com really does it all! We helped in the fabrication and final design of this way cool tiki chopper! Tikimaster.com was the perfect fit for this project! A custom chopper with a Tiki theme...

Checkout the back of the chopper. Dangling from in between the sissy bar you can see a Hawaiian pahoa with tiger shark teeth. The airbrush on the entire chopper features Hawaiian designs and symbolisms. If you look at the gas tank you will see a Hawaiian warrior.

This custom chopper by "Bear" was featured in Easy Rider. This is one "Tiki-fied" chopper that will attract all the biker babes!

For any custom tiki or Polynesian project tikimaster.com is the place to visit.

Nothing says, I LOVE YOU!" better than a TIKI!

Why not show that special somebody in your life how much you love them with one of Tikimaster.com's love tikis?? It doesn't just have to be on Valentine's Day, it can be any day of the year!

Tikimaster.com has several tiki totems that exude love. We even have a wedding tiki that would make a perfect engagement or wedding gift! Really, is there any better way to say, "I Do!" than with a tiki! At tikimaster.com, we think tikis are the only way to say it! Imagine, the recipient of one of tikimaster.com's love or wedding tikis can always glance at their tiki and remember the special day!

Happy St. Valentine's Day from all of our lovely employees at tikimaster.com! xoxo

How Big Is Your Tiki? Well, Mine is 9 Feet!

If someone comes to you and ask you "How Big Your Tiki Is"? Beware, it could be mis-leading...but here at Tikimaster.com we only mean big, large and smooth Tiki.
In fact our medium size Tiki is 9 feet tall, the largest one is about 15 feet tall. While we custom make them upon request, we always have a hand full available for last minute request. Each Tiki has been hand carved with great attention to details. Our Tiki designs are traditional from the Bishop Museum.
If you are in need of a custom Tiki project, please feel free to contact us for a free quote.
A Hui Hou,
Kawaika
TIKIMASTER.COM "How Big Is Your Tiki"!

How's it Hangin'? ***Aloha & Tiki Wall Hangers ***

Are you always looking for the right place to hang your coat or hat or keys? Well, tikimaster.com has your solution! Wall Hangers!! Our hand carved and hand painted wall hangers will be the perfect addition to any tropical, surf, coastal or tiki themed home.

Each hanger has been hand carved and painted with great attention to detail. The wall hangers have 3 - 7 hanging hooks and range in size from 20 inches to 26 inches. At tikimaster.com there is definitely the perfect wall hanger to fit your needs.

Place one of the cool wall hangers from tikimaster.com in your foyer or by your door and it will be the perfect pit stop on the way in and out of your home!

Tiki Masks vs. Tiki Wall Plagues

The newest and hottest items to hit the tiki market are tiki masks and tiki wall plaques....but how do you know which one is the right design choice for you? Well, Tikimaster.com is about to help you find this answer! First, let's start by differentiating the two...

Tiki masks and tiki wall plaques are both made out of wood and are both hand carved. The carvers pay close attention to the small details that create the overall character of the tiki. Vivid paint colors are sometimes added to provoke an even stronger feeling for the God they represent. There can be subtle differences in each tiki mask or tiki plaque just by an angle of a carving, or a tooth in the mouth. These differences should be viewed as uniqueness, as this makes each piece a one of a kind!

The major difference between a tiki mask and a tiki wall plaque is that tiki masks are round from the natural shape of a tree trunk and usually have eyes and mouths that are carved all the way through, so that they are open. This can make hanging your tiki mask a bit of a challenge, but don't worry, at Tikimaster.com, we have provided the perfect mounting on the back of each tiki mask. They range in size from 8 inches to 40 inches (that's 3 1/3 feet). The price points of tiki masks range from $9.90 - $229.

Tiki wall plaques are carved from flat pieces of wood. The wood is first cut in strips to follow the natural grain of the wood. Tiki wall plaques generally don't have carved out eyes and mouths, although you will find several varieties at tikimaster.com that do. Tiki wall plaques are priced between $9.90 -$49.90. These prices are only guaranteed at tikimaster.com.

So, here's the bottom line....which one do you like better? The tiki mask or the tiki wall plaque? It's really comes down to preference, size and price point.
range from 8 inches to 24 inches.
Happy TIKI shopping at TIKIMASTER.COM!

Explore the Bishop Museum

Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family.

The Museum was established to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of the Princess, and has expanded to include millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawai‘i and other Pacific island cultures.

Mr. Bishop built the magnificent Polynesian and Hawaiian Halls on the grounds of the original Kamehameha Schools for Boys. The Museum and School shared the Kapālama campus until 1940 when a new larger school complex was opened nearby on Kapālama Heights.

Today, Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, recognized throughout the world for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services and public educational programs. It also has one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world. Serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the Museum.

The Museum also operates two other institutions: Hawaii Maritime Center (located in Honolulu Harbor next to Aloha Tower Marketplace) and the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (on the island of Hawai'i ).

Tikimaster.com is honored to carry several tikis that are replicated after the original pieces at the Bishop Museum. These include: tikis, totems, tiki masks, and koa weaponry.