Collecting Tiki

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Tiki is a representation of ancient hawaiin gods that is skillfully carved in stone or wood. Sometimes too tiny to be worn as an amulet or too large that it could tower over a human being.

There is that familiar grimace and big elliptical snarling mouth that is believed to drive away evil. They were mostly seen scattered around the temples at that time.

During the cruise ship era in the 1930’s when people began visiting Hawaii, they brought souvenirs from their trip in the tropical islands and tikis were one of them. Tikis became popular in mainland U.S. thus creating a popular culture or suburban art movement called Polynesian Pop.

Soon after, tiki themed bars, motels and bowling alleys spread like wildfire across the America. For the people, it represented a frame of mind that is laid back, relaxed, fun and all the taste of the tropics. It was sort of escapism from the harsh realities of life.

But until in the 1970’s the trend fizzled out. Tiki bars and restaurants closed down. There were a multitude of things related to tiki that is sold like tiki matchbooks, mugs napkins, unkillable palm fronds etc.

Lately the second wave of popularity of the tiki is once again here. There’s a certain nostalgia of that time which is dubbed as the lounge and swizzle sticks era. So if there’s a need for certain things there are consequently a market for it.

There are abundant supplies for tikis and all its related memorabilia that are sold whether original or reproduction. Tikinews.com and tikifarm.com provide a place for ‘tikiphiles’ to hangout and browse about their collection.

There are certain conventions as well for tikiphiles where they can don their garish hawaiin shirts, exchange recipes of their favorite tropical drinks and dance the hula all night long and just feel the ‘ambience’ of the tropics and just soak it up.

If you want to start tiki collecting make sure the mugs do have sharp details and collect from the bars and restaurants that are no longer in business and look at the manufacturer legend at the bottom of the mugs.

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Collecting Vintage Kou Milo Ukeleles Uke

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Hawaii contributed slack key guitar, steel string guitar and the dimunitive ukulele to the family of musical string instruments. The ukulele catches the world’s attention because of its tone and size.

Although the first ukulele was first made in Braga, Portugal that’s why it was called barginha before it got in the hands of the natives in Hawaii by way of Portuguese migration to the Hawaiin islands in !777.

Joao Fernandes was the first ever public performance playing the ukulele. The Hawaiin Royal family at that time like it so much that, local manufacturers made its foray in mass production of the instrument.

The world was first introduced to the hawaiin music and the ukulele was in 1915 during the celebration of the completed Panama Canal. Seventeen million people experienced the whole hawaiin musical genre that it became very popular considering the world population at that time. The music and the ukulele went well with the fashion at that time too.

Carrying the ukulele while wearing straw hat, raccoon coat and striped blazer was very vogue at that time. The ukulele is light and portable, playing it, sure made everyone you around smile.

The ukulele went through a musical roller coaster. Popular one time and in the closet the next. There were many factors , the great depression in the 1920’s, rock and roll, Vietnam.

Authentic vintage kou milo ukeleles are pretty much hawaiin made, had a legend ‘tabu’ on every ukulele made at that time. Hawaii had triumphantly gained a patent on the instrument. Although the rest of the world make ukuleles but the hawaiins can proudly call it their very own.

Depending on the preference of the collectors, one thing they would consider is the manufacturer. Companies like Martin, Gibson , Lyon etc. are considered of the best quality. The most popular ones are made by C.F. Martin Company of Pa.

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Collecting Hawaiin Surf Surfing Collectible Boards

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Let’s face it, the hawaiin experience is where it all started. Early hawaiins rode the waves using half logs just to test their manhood.

Hawaii being the ‘Mecca’ of the surf world , means owning anything hawaiin as far as surfing is concern would be the most coveted.

Did you know that in early times the folks in Hawaii before cutting a tree to make surfboards, would first bury a fish underneath the tree? Yes it’s a form of ritual, an offering to the gods. They applied various forms of incantations and consecration as part of their ritual.

Surboards were made from different kinds of trees using bone and stone tools to shape it. Balsa was the most widely used wood because it’s lighter. But modern surfboards are now made in polyurethane encased in fiberglass and polyester to make it even lighter but sturdier. There are also surfboards that are made in aluminum or carbon fiber.

When it comes to hydrodynamics, some makers apply fins on their creations.

There are now variety of surfboards to choose from starting with hawaiin made balsa wood, longboards, shortboards, hybrids, retros, eggs, bigboys, midrange and guns.

The craze of collecting surfboards and its memorabilia like surf books, magazines and posters are today bigger than ever. Collectors say the thrill is in the hunt and validation of the find.

You don’t have to connect yourself to a body of water to really savor and enjoy your surfboards, although you can. But surfboards nowadays are also the focal points of any residential or commercial establishments as their main theme or décor.

The monetary values of surfboards are subjective. There are no surefire measure. One key is just to collect the kinds you really like. You could place ads in a physical newspaper or advertise online if you want to buy, trade or sell your surfboards.

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