Wahine of the Week: Remembering Jane Russell ...

This weeks Wahine of the Week is a tribute to Jane Russell who sadly passed away this week at the age of 89.

The voluptuous actress known for her roles in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Outlaw along with her lifelong work as an advocate for adoption.

Gone but not forgotten. Check her out in the movie trailer for The Outlaw...

Tikimentary - In search of the Lost Paradise ...

I recently came across some trailers for a short film tiled "Tikimentary" which went on to become a longer movie screened at the 2010 Hukilau. Tikimentary is

A road-movie searching for the ultimate Tiki experience. Take a trip through San Diego's Tiki Oasis, The Hukilau, in Fort Lauderdale and the Luau By The Lake, in fabulous Lake George. An intimate portrait of this new exotic urban tribe: the so-called "tikiphiles". They drink tropical drinks, dress in vintage clothes, listen to Exotica music, but most of all: are a big and colorful family. Starring: Tiki Kiliki, Otto Von Stroheim, Baby Doe, Marina The Mermaid, King Kukulele, Shag, Lenore "Tikilicious" & Steve Koppleman, Joe & Nicole Desmond, Harold Golen, Paul & Kelly Patterson, Suzanne Long, Sandy Future, Amy Eggers, Kiki Lenoue, David Lenoue.

Here are a couple of trailers to wet your appetite:

"The average person doesn't get it, they don't understand."


"Tiki casts a spell on you!"

"We are all looking for a paradise to escape to."

It was directed by Duda Leite, a Brazilian independent filmmaker currently living in São Paulo. He has directed some “cult” short films like “Serial Clubber Killer” (1994) Best Short Film at Mix Brazil, “Selma & Denise” (1995), “After the Fox” (1999) – Official Selection at OutFest in Los Angeles and Frameline Festival in San Francisco, and “Resmungo” (2002) which aired on MTV Brazil.The final version of the movie is currently available for watching on MUBI.com.

Watch the Tikimentary.

Blue Hawaii ...

With Elvis’ birthday on the 8th of January the local satellite TV movie channels were full of Elvis movies. They’re not normally something I’d be too interested in, but the mention of Hawaii grabbed me. Released in 1961 Blue Hawaii was the first of three Elvis movies to be filmed in Hawaii. Much of it was filmed in the grounds of the Coco Palms which was the oldest hotel on the Garden Isle of Kaua`i, and was at the time the world's most famous Polynesian resort. When Hurricane Iniki struck in September 1992, the Coco Palms was shut down indefinitely as repairs proved too costly and the entire island struggled with recession. The property, located on the southeast shore of Kaua`i, has been left to decay now for over a decade as is still closed.



Blue Hawaii was one of Elvis' most successful films, grossing $10,440,453 worldwide in 1962 alone. In the movie Chad Gates (Elvis) returns from the Army, and is happy to be back in Hawaii with his surf-board, his beach buddies, and his girlfriend. His father wants him to go to work at the Great Southern Hawaiian Fruit Company, but Chad is reluctant. So Chad goes to work as a tour guide at his girlfriend's agency. Yup that’s the plot… I won’t spoil the ending but you’ll see it coming soon enough!

It is argued that this film set the tone for Presley's future film career — pretty locations, gorgeous girls, dull plots, and mediocre songs, and that I’m afraid pretty much sums it up. It is worth a watch as the beautiful Hawaiian paradise unfolds like a travelogue throughout. It offers some interesting insights into Hawaii of the early 1960’s as well as its fashion and lifestyle of the time.

As far as the soundtrack goes the original 1961 album release of "Blue Hawaii", had 14 songs on it. - "Blue Hawaii" features the title song, "No More", "Can't Help Falling In Love", "Rock-a-Hula-Baby", "Moonlight Swim", "Hawaiian Wedding Song", plus more. "Steppin' out of Line", the original, was the one bonus track already released. This version was released later by RCA complete with alternate versions. There are some Elvis versions of some Hawaiian classics, some songs which had words re written for them as well as some pure Elvis cheese!

Enjoy - Blue Hawaii Original Soundtrack

Tiki Bar Inspiration ...

In Aubrey London's most recent post she mentioned being inspired by commercial Tiki Bars and wanting to create a space in her home. It's the natural progression right? Experience a bit of the Tropics and you want take it home with you. It was those service men that were stationed there during WWII doing just that that bought Tiki culture to mainland USA.

Many people since have poured their love of the Tiki Lifestyle into their own intimate spaces at home. If you're looking for some inspiration there are plenty of reference books out there, but none seem to take you from the blank canvas to home Tiki Bar perfection quite like the Home Tiki Bar forum on Tiki Central. Some of the tiki bars on there are simply breathtaking... and certainly give people like me here on The Secret Island something to aspire to. However I strongly encourage anyone to follow their instincts, whether its the traditional route or not it's yours so make it work for you. I've thrown together a little movie with my collection of images of my Tiki Central favorites ... enjoy.



Mahalo to everyone who features from Tiki Central and YouTube for changing the music due to some copyright issues!!