Tiki Iniki (Princeville, Kauaii, Hawaii, USA)

Hawaii is mecca for tiki culture, so we knew we'd be making several stops this year.  The first stop of the Hawaiian Leg of the 2018 Tour was the in the town of Princeville on the north shore of Kauai'i.  Officially there are two tiki bars on the island (as of 2018) but the one is more properly a restaurant so we decided to visit the Tiki Inki on the tour.  The Tiki Iniki takes its name from the devastating hurricane that ravaged the island of Kauai'i in September of 1992.  Iniki was the most powerful hurricane to hit Hawaii in recorded history.

The tiki bar is on the backside of a large shopping complex geared for tourists.  Look around a bit and you'll find it. When you arrive and take the short set of stairs you'll be greeted by a friendly staff in this tiki hut bar.  The bar is short and there are only a few tables so this isn't the place for a huge gathering without calling in advance.  The hostess and the patrons were all accommodating and we found a cozy spot up at the bar.

If you are going to eat, time your visit carefully.  We arrived too early for dinner and were forced to peruse the menu and select a pair of drinks to pass the time before the meal. (Not that either of us were bummed in any way.)  Featured here are the Iniki (note the broken umbrella in the drink...homage to the hurricane in more than name) and a Top Shelf Mai Tai.  I'm partial to coconut drinks and the Iniki hit the spot! The Mai Tai was spot on as well.  It's a sweeter version, not the Trader Vic original, although that's an option as well.  Every drink was painstakingly mixed and presented.  You have to love a drink that not only tastes good but looks pretty!

Tiki Iniki does sell tiki mugs.  So this guy will be making the trip home to join the growing tiki collection.