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The Kahiki is in Danger!!!
Archive of data posted in Spring and Summer of 2000

Full review and history of Kahiki
is available in Tiki Road Trip

April/May 2000:
The Kahiki in Columbus is in danger.
Walgreens wants to buy the property, tear Kahiki down, and build Walgreen's #3008.
Here is all the news, chronologically, compiled as I receive updates

Jane Murray sent me this article... < This article is from The Columbus Dispatch > Walgreens in talks to scuttle Kahiki Tuesday, April 18, 2000  By Paul Souhrada ,  Dispatch Business Reporter The Kahiki canoe soon may be sunk.  Walgreen Co. has targeted the quirky polynesian-themed restaurant's E. Broad Street location as part of a planned expansion of Walgreens drugstores in Columbus.  "We're pursuing it,'' Michael Polzin, spokesman for the Deerfield, Ill.- based chain, said yesterday. "We're  working out the details.''  Polzin said he'd didn't know when the deal might be completed, but added that the store likely would not open until next year. Kahiki owner Michael Tsao was out of town and unavailable for comment yesterday. Ken Kisner, the company's controller, said he didn't know anything about the proposed sale. The Kahiki, which opened in February 1961, won a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 in recognition of its "rich Polynesian culture, architectural design and influence on national and local restaurant history.'' With its boat-shaped exterior and interior recreation of a Polynesian village, the Kahiki was among the first themed restaurants in the country, said Nathalie Wright, National Register coordinator for the Ohio Historic Preservation Office. It's also one of the last remaining Polynesian-themed restaurants in the United States, added Wright, who wrote the material nominating the Kahiki for a spot on the national registry.  "If we lose it, it's notjust a loss to Columbus . . . it's a loss to the whole country.'' Walgreens has a policy against destroying historic buildings, Polzin said. The company just doesn't think the Kahiki makes the cut.  "This building is unusual, but it's not very old,'' he added, explaining thatthe policy was written in response to preservationists who complained that Walgreens and other drugstore chains were ruining the character of many town squares in their rush to meet the growing needs of aging baby boomers. Walgreens, the nation's third-largest drugstore chain, has one Columbus store -- at 4401 Cleveland Ave., near Morse Road -- among its 3,007 locations.  The proposed 15,000-square- foot E. Broad Street location is one of several new stores planned for   Columbus, Polzin said.  He said the chain looked at other properties before settling on the Kahiki site,which is near several competitors.  Wright said Walgreens' view that the Kahiki's tiki god motif is less worthy of preserving than, say, a turn-of- the-century dentist's office is short- sighted. "Even though this isn't a traditional historic property, that doesn't mean it's not historic or significant,'' she said. If anything, the unusual post-WWII architecture is becoming harder to find than the traditional town-square buildings.  "Sometimes things just aren't old enough for people to consider significant,'' Wright added.  "In 20 years, people will consider these buildings important, but it will be too late.''

___________________________________________________________

Then, less than an hour later, I got this...
___________________________________________________________

>I'm a newspaper columnist for the Columbus Dispatch. Recently, Walgreen’s,
>the giant pharmacy chain, revealed that it wants to buy and tear down the
>Kahiki, our famous tiki restaurant. Would this be seen as a big loss among
>fans of tiki bars? I'm trying to get a sense of the Kahiki's status among
>tiki enthusiasts. Any comments?
>Joe Blundo
>Columbus Dispatch

___________________________________________________________

To which I replied...
___________________________________________________________

Hi Joe

Your letter arrived just after a similar one from my friend Jane, who quoted the entire newspaper article in her letter.  So I am familiar with the situation that Kahiki faces.

To say that the loss of Kahiki would be seen as a 'big' one is just about the understatement of the century.

Kahiki is unanimously ranked in the 'big four' Tiki Bars/Polynesian Restaurants in the WORLD, along with The Tonga Room in San Francisco, the Hala Kahiki in Chicago, and the Mai Kai in Ft. Lauderdale.  The loss of Kahiki - the one place that was always seen as 'safe' or 'immune from being torn down', due to it's landmark status - would be absolutely devastating to thousands of people in many walks of life.

Kahiki is a vital landmark on several levels.  First of all, it is a Mecca for all manner of 'retro' culture enthusiasts including, but not limited to, fans of 'exotica', 'lounge', 'tiki', 'swing', 'googie' [aka ‘atomic’ - '50's/'60's coffee shop/cheap motel architecture], and even 'rockabilly'.   And then we can go in a completely different direction and mention the importance of Kahiki to the aficionados of post-WWII era Americana and Hawaiiana.  I know WWII veterans who STILL go to the Kahiki (and to the various remaining Trader Vic’s locations).  And then there’s the Polynesian community...

I know a dozen people here in Chicago who routinely make the seven hour drive to Columbus specifically to drink and dine in the Kahiki.  I get several requests per week via Email from people who have tracked down the Kahiki through my web site (The Tiki Bar Review Pages, at www.tydirium.net) and want directions there.  I have sent people there from as far as Arizona and Montreal.

But more importantly, Kahiki is a reminder of times when outlandish architecture (such as that seen at Kahiki) was almost commonplace.  Anyone over the age of thirty can remember driving around with their parents and seeing all sorts of 'fun' or unusual buildings, many of them left over from the forties or fifties.   The creativity and thought that went into building Kahiki (and places like it) has almost completely evaporated from the American landscape.  The generic, cookie-cutter strip malls and pre-fab retail chains that pop up on every corner are completely erasing any artistic and individualistic value from our urban environment.

Kahiki is a reminder of a time when every corner was free from a Starbucks, a Blockbuster, and a McDonalds, all of which look exactly like every other Starbucks, Blockbuster, or McDonalds that you have ever seen.  The Kahiki is a reminder of times before large corporations with their giga-chains had swept all semblance of charm out of our cities.  The cheap and meaningless excuses for architecture that make up every new shopping plaza built since the mid-1970's are almost offensive in their lack of aesthetic value and their apparent commitment to making America a more bland place.

Even if one is not a fan of mid-century (or ‘vintage’) culture, any person with a working set of eyes and a memory that began before the mid 1970’s must have noticed that everything is starting to look exactly the same, wherever you go.  Driving down Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio, how can you fail to notice the high arched roof and the two giant Moai Statues that separate the Kahiki from everything else you have passed for the last 10 miles?

The fact that Walgreen’s wants to tear down this vital piece of mid-century architecture to put up another ugly and unnecessary pharmacy is offensive on so many levels that I cannot even begin to list them for you.  If Kahiki were closing due to a lack of business or an inability for the owners to continue maintaining the property, it would be sad but understandable.  The fact that one more vital reminder of a time when people cared about how their world looked, and had a good sense of playful optimism about the future (and their present) is being destroyed forever to put up Walgreen’s #3008 is tragic.

There are 3007 Walgreen’s.  There is only ONE Kahiki.

Aloha and Mahalo

James Teitelbaum
The Tiki Bar Review Pages
www.tydirium.net

___________________________________________________

And then Nathalie Wright (interviewed in the above Columbus Dispatch article) wrote:

From: Nathalie Wright <nwright@ohiohistory.org>
To: syd@roadsidepeek.com, tydirium@suba.com, otto@tikinews.com, googietours@earthlink.net
Subject: Tiki emergency, Kahiki demolition
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2000 12:39:35 -0400

As I know you are aware (from reading your webpages), the Kahiki in Columbus, Ohio is arguably one of the best Polynesian restaurants in the U.S.  The Tiki Review Pages ranked it in the top 5.  The Kahiki, despite its National Register of Historic Places status, is now threatened with demolition by Walgreen's for a new drugstore.  The enclosed document gives further detail on the Kahiki's significance and the current situation. Please share this information as you see fit and encourage people to write letters of support for the Kahiki.

This is not just a grass roots movement, it's a grass skirt movement!

Nathalie Wright
Society for Commercial Archeology
Columbus, Ohio

___________________________________________________

She attatched this document.....
____________________________________________________

Potential Kahiki Demolition

The Walgreen’s drugstore chain is actively pursuing the purchase of the Kahiki site to demolish it for a new store.  The Kahiki Supper Club is a National Register of Historic Places listed property.  It was listed in 1997.  As quoted from a Columbus Dispatch article, 4-18-00, Michael Polzin, Walgreen’s spokesman said, “Walgreens has a policy against destroying historic buildings...  The company just doesnít think the Kahiki makes the cut.  This building is unusual, but it’s not very old, he added.”

Kahiki Significance

The Kahiki is an intact example of a mid-twentieth century cultural icon, the Polynesian restaurant. Built in 1960-61, it represents the heightened interest in Polynesia following World War II.  Entertainment and leisure activities focusing on or derived from the South Seas were especially popular during the 1950s and early 1960s.  Movies and television shows featured the Polynesian setting, while hula hoops, luaus, surfing, and beach music allowed people from coast to coast to celebrate the South Seas culture.  Hawaii's statehood in 1959 also contributed to the overall fascination with Polynesia. Polynesian restaurants were a natural outgrowth of this larger popular culture phenomenon.

The Kahiki embodies the architectural traits associated with the Polynesian  restaurant genre.  Standard elements of the Polynesian decor included tiki fountains, nautical objects, tropical plants, island inspired statuary, grass huts, and colorful paintings.  The Kahiki is significant as it employs these elements as well as being an individually designed building.  Most other Polynesian restaurants were included within traditional buildings.

Contact Information Walgreen Company 200 Wilmot Rd. Deerfield, IL 60015 847-940-2500 CEO: L. Daniel Jorndt Spokesman: Michale Polzin The Kahiki Supper Club, Inc. 3583 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43213 614-237-5425 Michael Tsao, President Kahiki Board of Directors: Alice Tsao, Vice President 3583 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43213 614-237-5425 Ngan Chan, Executive Chef 3583 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43213 614-237-5425 Dr. Winston Bash, Director Food Industries Center The Ohio State University 2120 Fyffe Rd. Columbus, OH 43210 614-292-6281 Robert Binsky, Director Cable Link, Inc. 280 Cozzins St. Columbus, OH 43215 614-221-3131

___________________________________________________________

And then Otto wrote...
___________________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 23:27:16 -0700
Subject: Kahiki vs. Walgreens. HELP!

Alarming news has come our way
It seems the Kahiki was offered a proposition to sellout to Walgreen's for expansion of their store nearby.
Because the Kahiki has not made any official comment denying these rumors which have appeared on local TV and in the local paper TWICE in one week (thanks to one very diligent reporter)

The Kahiki is arguably THE BEST Tiki establishment in America.

to see the Kahiki and to get all the info needed to take action now visit Mark Chase's excellent Save The Kahiki website at

http://savethekahiki.bizland.com/

I also laud the efforts of Stu Koblentz of Ohio Preservation Alliance and Natalie Wright (Ohio Historic Properties Office) who was responsible for getting the Kahiki on the National Register of Historic Sites
www.ohiopreservation.org and thanks to Betty Maple & Michael Toth who provided some of the contact info below

It is important to write a letter rather than an email so the company sees tangible results

             Walgreen Company
             200 Wilmot Road
             Deerfield, IL 60015
             (847) 940-2500

If you are in Ohio please call their Manager for real estate in the Columbus Oh area Pat Canning  at 847-914-2698

or email him at patrick.canning@walgreens.com

or  to send an email to Walgreens visit their customer response area at

http://www.walgreens.com/contact.jhtml

I don't think I need to stress the importance of everyone's support in protecting the Kahiki I think this will be the first opportunity for Tiki fans to really make a difference and save a historic Tiki sight. Many have fallen since the inception of Tiki News but none so great has been in peril since our founding. I intend to make a stand on this issue and I hope all of you will join in.

Mahalo Otto von Stroheim

___________________________________________________________ And then Otto wrote to Walgreens... ___________________________________________________________ To: patrick.canning@walgreens.com Dear Patrick Please halt Walgreen's pursuit of The Kahiki restaurant site as a possible expansion for Walgreen's I guarantee this will generate a lot of embarrassing publicity for your company thanks Otto ___________________________________________________________ And then Jane wrote to Walgreens... ___________________________________________________________ To: Walgreen Company 200 Wilmot Rd. Deerfield, IL 60015 Hello, I just heard the terrible news through Otto Von Stroheim, the Exotica mailing list, and others, that Walgreens is planning to tear down the Kahiki in Columbus, Ohio to put up a new drug store. I wanted to let you know that even if Walgreens doesn't consider The Kahiki an important enough landmark to preserve, a lot of other people do. I am such a fan of tiki bars and The Kahiki in particular, I travelled 8 hours from Toronto and stayed overnight in Columbus just to go there. I was so impressed with the architecture, history and magic of the Kahiki, I even devoted a page to it on my website. I had planned to make the pigrimage and return again this year for my birthday, bringing some friends with me. Do I now have to tell them not to bother, there's just a drug store there now? Surely you can find another location for your Walgreens. One that won't make so many people sad and angry. Jane Murray and Friends Toronto, Canada

.
___________________________________________________

And then Joe Blundo’s article was published...
___________________________________________________

KAHIKI VS. DRUGSTORE: WILL IT BE POLYNESIA OR MILK OF
MAGNESIA?

Date: Saturday, April 22, 2000
Section: FEATURES - ACCENT & ARTS
Page: 01H
Illustration: Photo
Byline: Joe Blundo
Source: Dispatch Accent Columnist
Column: So To Speak
 

Walgreen Co. revealed this week that it may buy the Kahiki, our landmark Polynesian restaurant, and replace it with a pharmacy.

Yesterday a spokesman said Walgreen is re-evaluating those plans because the Kahiki is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Whether Walgreen proceeds or not, an interesting aesthetic question has been raised. What enriches Columbus more -- a giant canoe-shaped tiki restaurant or a chain pharmacy?

To answer the question, I visited both the Kahiki, 3583 E. Broad St., and an existing Walgreens, at Morse Road and Cleveland Avenue, to compare aesthetics.

My goal was to objectively and dispassionately assess the appeal of each place, making sure, of course, that the Kahiki came out the winner. I think the Kahiki is very cool.

Here's my assessment:

Kahiki: Mid-20th century Polynesian fantasyland. Pop interpretation of a New Guinea "male meeting house" where men would gather to discuss tribal problems and afterward enjoy a luau. Swooping roof patterned after a Polynesian war canoe that is designed to repel evil spirits. Peak is adorned by a pelican and a line of fish, symbolizing good luck and abundance.

Walgreens: Late '90s sprawl. Lighted mortar-and-pestle above the entrance not quite enough to create festive air.

Lighting

Kahiki: Flaming torches, colorful lanterns, large fireplace and the glowing red eyes of a giant Polynesian deity.

Walgreens: Fluorescent.

Entry

Kahiki: Entrance guarded by large tiki heads and moat. Cross moat on bridge with bamboo-inspired railings. Open heavily ornamented doors into cavelike passageway with dripping water. Pass through cave into grand foyer where you are greeted by giant tiki god with water flowing from head. The ceiling looks like the roof of a grass hut.

Walgreens: "Warning: Doors open automatically."

Entertainment:

Kahiki: Island music supplemented by thunderstorm sounds. Live steel-drum and marimba band on weekends.

Walgreens: Muzak.

Restrooms

Kahiki: Sinks shaped like giant clam shells. Instead of spigot, water comes out of the chin of an icon. Stall doors done in nautical motif with little round mirrors that resemble portholes.

Walgreens: White porcelain by American Standard.

Polynesian food

Kahiki: Samoan flaming chicken ("half chicken speared on a flaming sword"), volcano meatballs, pu-pu platter, sweet-and-sour concoctions doused in a sauce of an unnatural hue of red.

Walgreens: None per se. But you could assemble a meal of canned ham (two for $2.99 this week), canned pineapple and herb-flavored cough drops (they're a little light on vegetables).

Drinks

Kahiki: Headhunter (rum and tropical juices served in a skull); smoking eruption (watch it erupt before your eyes) and the Mystery Drink (delivered by the Mystery Girl; serves four).

Walgreens: Nice selection of Snapple

Rankings

Kahiki: "The Kahiki is unanimously ranked in the 'big four' tiki bars/Polynesian restaurants in the world, along with the Tonga Room in San Francisco, the Hala Kahiki in Chicago and the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale. The loss of the Kahiki -- the one place that was always seen as 'safe' or 'immune from being torn down' due to its landmark status -- would be absolutely devastating to thousands of people in many walks of life."

-- James Teitelbaum

The Tiki Bar Review Pages

www.tydirium.net

Walgreens: The Walgreens on Morse Road is one of the most recent of 3,007 in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Joe Blundo -- jblundo@dispatch.com -- is Accent columnist.

Caption: (1) The Kahiki: Polynesian flamboyance
(2) Mike Munden / Dispatch photos
Walgreens: pharmaceutical sprawl

_______________________________________________ and then I got this from Baby Doe: _______________________________________________ This is Walgreen's response from their consumer hotline website as emailed to Ramon Bocanegra: Thank you for taking the time to email our Corporate offices.  We were pursuing the restaurant site as a possible location for a new Walgreens drugstore. However, about a week ago our management learned that the restaurant is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.  Walgreens has a policy not to take down buildings on that registry. Therefore, now that we are aware of the restaurant's designation, we are re-evaluating our interest in the site.  No final decision has been made at this time, but we expect one soon. It should also be noted that the restaurant owner WANTS to sell the restaurant and get out of that business. We understand that he isn't interested in reopening the restaurant at another location. If Walgreens doesn't pursue the site, it's quite possible another company could buy the property and tear down the building.   In light of this Please write Michael Tsao (The owner of The Kahiki) directly and tell him NOT to sell The Kahiki!! 3583 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43213 or call 614-237-5425 _________________________________________________ Other people have writen.... _________________________________________________

__

Please, please, PLEASE don't let them tear down the Kahiki. I and about 17 of  my Tiki bar friends will cease shopping at Walgreen's FOREVER if this  happens. It has to stop somewhere and sometime, and it might as well be here  and now.   KEEP THE KAHIKI! KEEP THE KAHIKI! KEEP THE KAHIKI!
Cindy Rose

>I absolutely can't believe what I read.  I am totally depressed.  I travel  for a living and go to every tiki place in the towns I visit.  I was very  excited when I found Kahiki.  I was going to make a trip back to Columbus  for the sole purpose of taking my girlfriend to the Kahiki. I will  absolutely do everything listed on the email save the kahiki, is there  anything else or anyone else that I could contact.
> American is such a wasteland of culture.  It used to be the great thing  about traveling was seeing things that are different.  Now you have to leave  the country to get away from the Gap and Old Navy.
>Let me know what else I can do.
>Lisa

________________________________________________

TJ Gaffney wrote to Kahiki owner Michael Tsao...

________________________________________________

Mr. Tsao-

   I am sorry my conversation with you was so brief, but you must understand my concern, as I had heard this rumor third-hand. I currently live in the state of Michigan, and purchased stock in your corporation becuase I have always enjoyed the restuarant, and have heard consistent good thing about your management team. Having said this, I worry greatly that the sale of such a historic restuarant site may hinder growth of the company on that level. I fully understand that you have diversified grealty from just the original restuarant, and as a stockholder I appreciate what this means for the future. However, part of what draws customers to the Kahiki is tradition.
Tradition is not something easily won, and I am afraid you will lose hundreds of customers by constructing a new building in a new location. The Kahiki is not just another restuarant; it is a landmark. The current building is what draws customers from around the world. I have been reading the large backlash to the destruction of the restaurant on web, and I believe that this could translate into a large loss of profits and clientele. Lets face facts; trying to rebuild the current building would be impossible. That is about the only way, however, I could see this loss of revenue being averted. The costs of building a new restuarant are exhorbenant, and as you say, you would not be able to build a restuarant for some time. I hope the profits from Kahiki other areas (as well as the obvious sale) can cover both costs.
Part of the reason I purchased Kahiki stock is due to this dialogue were having right now. Very few presidents are willing to communicate as you are with their stockholders; I appreciate that it takes time out of what is a very busy day. I just worry that in this age of free spending and quick sales that this type of interaction will be lost. People come to your establishment because it represents everything they loved about a time which has long since passed. All I ask is that you consider these people (and their business) before you receive what I am sure is a very large sum from Walgreen's. I'm sure I am probably the only stockholder that has razed such as fuss. Most would be content with the sale; I'm sure many have never even been to the restuarant, or seen it for that matter. I just wanted the corporation to know that not all of us support the sale of the builiding. As you can gather, unlike most stockholders, profits are not my only interest.

Thank you for your time,

Thomas J. Gaffney
 
________________________________________________

To which Tsao replied, simply.......
________________________________________________

 > T.J. please e-mail me your phone number so I call you direct.
 > I have send a note to all the stockholders on record  (attached)
 > Looking forward to talk to you.

________________________________________________

another article appeard in the Columbus Dispatch on May 31, 2000...

________________________________________________

Save the Kahiki!
Dateline: 5/31/00

 Will it be Polynesia or Milk of Magnesia?

Dispatch columnist Joe Blundo recently asked this question in his comparison of the Kahiki and Walgreens (a comparison where he made sure "of course, that the Kahiki came out the winner"). (Columbus Dispatch, April 22, 2000) Overall this is a great assessment of what it would mean to the community to tear down the Kahiki.

But it seems amnesia would be the best word. Because Columbus routinely forgets the importance of preserving landmarks. Politicians and business leaders say they want to make Columbus a "world class city", but every time we bulldoze another landmark we become less of a world class city. I doubt Columbus can get much of a national reputation for tourism if all we have to offer are rows of burger joints and drug stores.

The following Columbus Dispatch letters to the editor echo my sentiment:

Columbus' leaders ask why people know so little about our city. They wonder why we have no story with which people connect. Yet, why should people know anything about us when our biggest attractions are strip malls and parking lots? We will never have an image as long as we routinely destroy our heritage. (Mark C. Hiser, Columbus Dispatch, April 24, 2000)

For all of us who delight in the spectacle of the Kahiki, [tearing it down] would be a sad loss to the character of our community. Walgreens has other options it can explore. (Kristine Helm, Columbus Dispatch, May 2, 2000)

Demolishing the historic and architecturally unusual Bexley Theatre to make way for an ill-fated McDonalds was bad enough. But tearing down the Kahiki restaurant to put up a Walgreen's would be a travesty. (Columbus Dispatch, May 5, 2000)

The term "ill-fated" is one that must be kept in mind. Everyone was in such a hurry to bulldoze the Bexley Theatre for a McDonalds that promptly went out of business. Both Bexley and the Town and Country area where the Kahiki is located are now filled with empty stores and buildings; let's think about which we can really do without before bulldozing an east side icon.

If you've ever passed the Kahiki on East Broad and wondered what it's like inside, now's the time to find out. The Kahiki opened in 1961 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 (which, I am told, is not the same status as being on the National Historic Register). Their brochure says the Kahiki's "exotic South Sea atmosphere beckons with timeless enchantment and tropical splendor. Recently added to the National Register of Historic Places...enjoy dining in the glow of the giant tiki fireplace, along the wall of tropical aquariums, or near the authentic rain forest" (complete with rainstorms and live birds). While I was eating I kept saying to myself, "Gee, that's right, we're in Whitehall." The atmosphere made me feel like I was on a tropical island somewhere!

The Tiki Bar Review Pages have this to say about the Kahiki:

The Kahiki is unanimously ranked in the big four tiki bars/Polynesian restaurants in the world...the loss of the Kahiki--the one that was always seen as "safe" or "immune" from being torn down due to its landmark status--would be absolutely devastating to thousands of people in many walks of life.

Sounds a heck of a lot more important than a drug store.

During my recent visit I questioned several staff about rumors that the Kahiki was closing; all said they were "moving downtown" but they didn't know where. Sounds like a ruse to me. If you were moving a building of that size downtown, wouldn't you know where first? And wouldn't you tell everyone so they would know where to visit you in the future? The Dispatch reports there is a low-key campaign by Columbus businessman John Holt Jr. to move the Kahiki downtown but there aren't many specifics to go by.

I urge everyone to contact the following people and voice your request to save the Kahiki:
 
 

                                                     Walgreen Company
                                                     200 Wilmot Rd.
                                                     Deerfield, IL 60015
                                                     847-940-2500 or 800-289-2273
                                                     patrick.canning@walgreens.com

                                                     The Kahiki Supper Club
                                                     3583 E. Broad St.
                                                     Columbus, OH 43213
                                                     614-237-5425
                                                     kahiki@kahiki.com

                                                     Mayor's Action Council--mac@cmhmetro.net

                                                     Columbus City Council--councilq@cmhmetro.net

                                                     Columbus Planning Office--dcole@cmhmetro.net

                                           Nathalie Wright of the Ohio Historic Preservation Office was quoted in the Dispatch as saying "in 20 years, people will consider these buildings important, but it will be too late." Remember, there are 3,007 Walgreens. There is only ONE Kahiki.

Here are some links to other sites about the Kahiki you won't want to miss:

Columbus Landmarks Foundation--Here are pictures of 12 other historical Columbus buildings on the endangered list, plus descriptions of other area landmarks in danger (does it ever end?).

Kahiki Map--Here's where to find the Kahiki on the east side of Columbus.

Kahiki Photo Page--A page filled with great Kahiki pictures.

Kahiki Web Page--From the Kahiki, read about their history, tour the menu, order gift certificates, and more.

Save the Kahiki--Read more about the grass roots (or grass skirts) effort to save this landmark and what you can do.

Tiki Bar Review-- Here's an in-depth review of the Kahiki--people drive from Chicago just to eat there!

Tiki Bar Save The Kahiki Page--Here's a collection of articles, emails, and related materials about the Kahiki and it's shaky future.

What do you think about the future of the Kahiki? Does another Columbus landmark really need to bite the dust for yet another drug store? Or for anything else? Be sure to post your comments on the Columbus Community Forum.

______________________________________________________

In June of 2000, Eric Simon wrote:

After reading the news of Kahiki, I gathered a couple friends and went there for dinner Friday night (6/23).  The Kahiki staff is very leary about mentioning the closing because people are taking anything not bolted down . . . literally.  I did manage to get the real lowdown. The Kahiki will be accepting reservations through August.  The Kahiki IS being torn down, with a new site being constructed in the newly renovated riverfront area.  Construction is expected to take 1-1/2 years.  They assured the new site will be much larger and better. BTW, the drinks were surprisingly strong, & the szechaun deluxe was excellent.  Go there NOW berfore it's too late!!

---

...and that's the scoop so far!

---

Update 2001: 

Needless to say, the 'grass skirt' movement to sa Kahiki amounted to nothing.  The building is gone, and vague plans to rebuild elsewhere have been scrapped.