Ko Tiki Terrace Brings Back Charm of Hawaii Tiki Bar & Dining in Waikiki

How One Man’s Passion for Sharing Hawaiian Culture Pays Tribute to What Hawaii Was in His New Restaurant the “Ko Tiki Terrace”

Strolling down Kalakaua Avenue with its glossy internationally known brand shops and franchise restaurants makes one feel that the only Hawaiian element might be the name of the street which thank goodness is still lined with palm trees. It has become more of a commercial concrete jungle that can be identified as anywhere in the world, leaving one wondering, “Am I in Honolulu?” Reaching the iconic Moana Surfrider Hotel, and turning into a neighboring side street full of local character with old 1-2 story buildings, surf rental shops, and mom and pops eateries, one magically stumbles upon the entrance of Ko Tiki Terrace, a vintage tiki bar and grill, reminiscent of days gone by in Honolulu’s Waikiki.

The entrance of Ko Tiki Terrace offers a mysterious contrast to the commercial glam of Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki. (Ronen Zilberman photo HonoluluVibes.com)

Brainchild and labor of love for TV personality and restauranteur Sam Monaghan, this hidden treat reminds one of what used to make Waikiki special – the restaurant and bar are surrounded by the tropical lush garden and pool adjacent to the boutique Bamboo Hotel, built in the late 1960s. What a delight to find mature trees and other vegetation planted 40-60 years ago: banyan trees, coconut trees, bamboo, sugar cane, birds of paradise 2-3 stories tall. Sam informs, “You don’t usually find such a variety of vegetation intact in Waikiki. The developers of the hotel had respect for the garden and tried to preserve the greenery. Usually, it’s the norm to build to the corners of the property, maximizing room capacity.” Sam used to frequent the previous pizza restaurant on the premises and once it closed, he seized the opportunity having seen the potential of this Hawaiian paradise. “Waikiki has a very special climate. Diamond head blocks most of the wind, and a cool breeze comes from the mountains. It’s not a desert as the water from the mountains has created the underground neighboring stream located on the side of this street. It’s a kind of oasis providing the natural underground water for the trees planted here. When visitors come to Waikiki this is what they should be experiencing, feeling this fresh air in the garden, hearing the birds chirping, not being choked by the cement high rises, shops, and traffic jams. Most travelers came to Hawaii to experience the Hawaiian culture and what I am trying to accomplish here is to create a Hawaiian feel and support the local culture.”

Many of the tables at the Ko Tiki Terrace are nestled amidst tropical greenery providing a natural setting and lots of space from other patrons. Perfect for dining out in the age of COVID. (Ronen Zilberman photo HonoluluVibes.com)

Once you pass the bamboo entrance you are greeted by two imposing Hawaiian gods. On the left, by the corner of the kitchen is Lono, the god of peace with his mouth closed. His belly is full as he has shared the fire with humans, according to Hawaiian legend. On the right, is his brother Ku, the god of war with his mouth open, always hungry, needing to be fed. He reflects the patrons who walk in hungry, seeking to have their appetite appeased. When they leave, he will be like his brother, quiet and delighted to have enjoyed a good meal. As you walk through the restaurant and bar area, you notice the black ground flooring which has been created to resemble natural lava rock using stamps from the Big Island. On the other side of the bar as you exit to enter the hotel area you will encounter the two other Hawaiian gods who are looking at each other. Kane by the corner of the garden is the god of the land and his brother Kanaloa is the god of the ocean, who looks like a squid. In Hawaiian mythology, these are the four main gods.

Hawaiian mythology and craftsmanship is represented everywhere in the decor of the Ko Tiki Terrace. (Ronen Zilberman photo HonoluluVibes.com)

Sam named his restaurant Ko Tiki Terrace paying homage to the tiki gods and to Hawaiian sugarcane. Ko is the Hawaiian word for sugarcane and his traditional sugarcane press is a highlight next to the bar. In Hawaii, there are up to 75 different kinds of sugarcane and he gets the sugarcane from a farmer on the north shore. Hana aloha or love magic is associated with sugarcane in Hawaiian tradition and Sam has created mixed sugarcane drinks as love potions for his amorous patrons. Ko Tiki Terrace will also feature some of the tasty Hawaiian seafood such as the famous garlic prawns he offers at his other restaurant, Sam’s Kitchen on Royal Hawaiian Ave.

For now, the Ko Tiki Terrace is open for dinner only featuring three signature dishes of shrimp, chicken, or steak in your choice from a variety of sauces and served beside fresh greens, potato salad, and rice. In the future, Ko TIki will be open for three meals a day. (Ronen Zilberman photo HonoluluVibes.com)

Sam’s mother Ana, who is a painter, has intricately painted the solid pillars surrounding the bar celebrating Hawaiian stories. The first pillar captures the journey of the first Polynesian voyagers coming across the Pacific ocean, arriving in Hawaii following the star
Hokulea, which means star of gladness – hoku – star and lea – gladness. Another pillar illustrates the efforts of the new settlers who are establishing their roots on the islands. They’re building homes and are thriving as their families settle and prosper in their newfound land. Incidentally, in 2007, for 5 months, Sam sailed on the Kamahele, a 40ft safety escort sailboat, with the Hawaiian Hokulea voyaging canoe on its first visit to Japan through Micronesia.

Pillars throughout Ko Tiki Terrace were painted by Sam’s mother Ana, and take you through a visial storytelling that depicts the polynesians’ journey to and settlement of the Hawaiian islands. (Ronen Zilberman photo HonoluluVibes.com)

Sam has sourced out original material for his restaurant, giving new life to a part of the Hawaiian historical past. The communal massive table measuring 3.5 meters by 1.5 meters right next to the bar is a slab from an enormous monkeypod tree which was originally planted by missionaries in the 1800s, by the summer home of King Kamehameha IV, in the Moanalua Gardens. The original tree fell due to a wind storm 3 years ago. The table’s legs are made out of steel in the shape of traditional hand tattoos for women from the Marquesas Islands. As a symbol of growth and nurturing, these women are lifting and holding the table. Looking up above the entry of the bar one sees a wooden owl motif. Symbolic of the sky above, the owls are protectors of Waikiki and they fought invaders to protect its inhabitants.

Fresh air and outdoor seating set against the Hawaii inspired decor and greenery make Ko Tiki an ideal place for dining in the age of COVID. (Ronen Zilberman photo HonoluluVibes.com)

The bar table is another masterpiece made from a giant Norfolk tree from the Kamehameha Schools. The trees were originally used for tall mast ships yet, this one was feasted upon by bugs. The base of the bar is decorated with coconut shells. Another table nestled next to the stage which will be used for live music bands is the trinity branch of an ohia tree from the Big Island. “The stories of the making of the restaurant is as important as the end products,” chuckles Sam.

Greeting his guests with an ever-present smile on his face, Sam is a man of all seasons and talents – a surfer, sailor, ocean photographer, art collector, and dealer. Raised in Hawaii by a family of missionaries, he has lived in 30 countries and is fluent in Japanese. He has always loved Hawaiian culture and has spent his life educating and promoting what the islands have to offer to locals and vacationers as a host and producer of a variety of television programs. For 15 years he hosted a popular TV series about Hawai`i that aired in Japan called “Aloha Tengoku.” reaching more than eight million homes. Sam shares, “Hawaii has a feel of how the world should be. Cultures all combined here. Everyone comes here from all over the world and is part of the milkshake. This is how the world should be someday. We are living the future and the rest of the world is wanting to catch up with us.”

A local patron, Glenn Mercante who frequents the restaurant with other local friends sums it up, “Sam’s worldly experiences and lust of sharing local culture and foods with his restaurants and TV followers have created a tribute to what Hawaii was at Ko Tiki Terrace.”

The Ko Tiki bar dining seating is spread out around the outdoor pool/jacuzzi of the Bamboo Hotel creating unique ambiance. Dining patrons enjoy private nooks for dining while enjoying the view. In the future, live music will also be incorporated into the scene. (Ronen Zilberman photo HonoluluVibes.com)

by Dina Pinos

Dina Pinos is a Canadian-born Greek, former UH graduate student and EastWest Center grantee. Thriving world traveler, seeking to uncover passionate stories to share with and serve the community.