The Islands of the Fraternal Order of Moai

Another thread probably exists regarding this groovy new tiki bar in Kona - but the Mrs. and I just got back from the Big Island and I feel obliged to post a fresh plug for Brice and his staff!

http://www.okolemalunalounge.com/

We stayed at the Royal Kona Resort because of the classic old school architecture and the open air Don the Beachcomber's in the main building. The views of the ocean, and sleeping to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks were superb, but the cocktails at Don's were disappointing. (Worst Zombie EVER!) We recommend the hotel in general, but don't waste your time at Don's. The bartenders are nice, but overall the bar and restaurant have lost touch with their Tiki heritage.

Instead, go across the street and down two blocks to the Okolemaluna! You wouldn't think it would be hard to find a good Mai Tai in Kona - but the only one we had that was worth the money was at the Okolemaluna. The Navy Grog was perfect too!

If you make it there soon (Ahem, Rugby Matt!!), tell Brice and Zarine (super cool waitress), that Skipper Jeff said Aloha and Mahalo once again!

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Skipper Jeff

"Permanecer sentados, por favor"

Thanks for posting this, we will give them a visit in February!

Thanks for the heads-up - we're hoping to stay at the Royal Kona and visit Okolemaluna next fall. According to Google maps, the bar looks to be stumbling distance from the hotel...it that true?

Sorry you didn't have a good experience at Don's. We liked the bar - not the best drinks EVAR or anything, but with that view, much can be forgiven. I particularly liked the Green Flash and Pele's Mai Tai, though we were last there a few years ago and things may have changed.

Looking forward to trying the new tiki joint, which wasn't there yet when we were there.

Definitely within stumbling distance from the Royal Kona!

You are right about Don's. The view alone is worth the visit. It was a little voggy when we were there so we didn't get to see the green flash - although we did walk to Green Flash coffee every morning for our Kona fix.

Didn't mean to bag on Don's. Funny that somebody could be critical of paradise, right? And I have to remind myself that not everybody who visits Hawai'i expects their Tiki Drinks to taste like rum!

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Skipper Jeff

"Permanecer sentados, por favor"

Mahalo Jeff!

I actually met Brice and Lisa a couple years ago at Oasis when they were just getting the bar up & running so I will be there for happy hour on Friday the 13th (in roughly 23 days, 7 hours and 30 minutes). Already have an ocean view room booked at the Royal Kona as well with reservations for the luau on Monday night. Plan on at least one session at Don's just to be fair (not that I would ever correct a bartender ). Planning on spending a day down at the Volcanoes Nat'l Park and checking out coffee and paniolo country too. I left a couple hours between getting back to Honolulu and departing for home so hopefully I can pop into La Mariana on the 18th.

FYI - if anyone can just pick up and go this month Hawaiian Airlines is having a 1 day sale today featuring $298 r/t flights.

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Closed and gutted. Another one gone.

-Rev

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To taua na Moai!

The upside is that Brice is bringing huge amounts of Aloha spirit from Hawaii to another Pacific Island, Alameda. He is doing great things as the new manager of Forbidden Island.

seriously??!!! I was just there!

..sb

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Nasty, Brutish and Short

Bummer!

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Skipper Jeff

"Permanecer sentados, por favor"

Since then a couple more upsides:

1. I bought a bunch of very coolaceous decor items and bar fixtures from Brice for my home tiki bar.

2. My wife got four excellent tenants in Brice and Lisa and their kitties.

and Brice is still bringing lotsa Aloha spirit to the Island.

I just picked up the Royal Navy rum barrel from Lisa this afternoon! Celebratory grog at FI in an hour!

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Now that Rugger has moved on to new things, geographically and otherwise, the Royal Navy rum barrel has rejoined all the other décor and bar items from Okole Maluna at the CapyBar in Alameda.

Chiwito

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