Memories of three of Kaua‘i’s most legendary tropical bars drew a sold-out house Saturday night. “Kaua‘i Legendary Nights” was the theme for the Kaua‘i Historical Society’s 9th Annual Royal Paina held at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort at Kalapaki. “We’re totally
Memories of three of Kaua‘i’s most legendary tropical bars drew a sold-out house Saturday night.
“Kaua‘i Legendary Nights” was the theme for the Kaua‘i Historical Society’s 9th Annual Royal Paina held at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort at Kalapaki.
“We’re totally exhausted, but we’re jazzed – it was a tremendous event,” Mary Requilman, the historical society’s executive director said on Sunday.
Requilman said a record crowd of over 580 enjoy the festivities, which featured tributes to the late Grace Guslander of Coco Palms Resort fame and Louise Marston of Tahiti Nui fame, as well as Mama Ouye, the grand dame of Club Jetty, who at 97 was able to attend the event.
Highlights of the night included songs from Frankie Kaye of Tahiti Nui fame, and a recreation of the Coco Palm’s “Love and Aloha” show by Larry Rivera, who entertained at the Wailua resort for decades.
Guests were served drinks from authentic replicas of the bars at Tahiti Nui and Club Jetty, and watched a slide show of scenes from the three famous bars.
Requilman said Ouye’s family added over 100 photos to the society’s collection of Club Jetty photos during the preparations for the event.
Rhea Palma, Requilman’s executive assistant, and her daughter Maya, in from Honolulu, created the Tahiti Nui bar, while Pono Ouye set up the Club Jetty bar, bringing in a five-foot-long black velvet nude painting that once graced his family’s bar.
Arriving at the last minute for the paina was John Bertrum, of the Ahukini Bertrum family. Bertrum knew all three of the ladies being honored, Requilman said, and flew in from the Mainland just in time to attend.
The annual event is the Kaua‘i Historical Society’s major fundraiser each year.
