2025 Guests, Seminars, Panels, & Classes

Bosko Hrnjak was born in Los Angeles 1963 and raised in Southern California's San Gabriel valley among its mid-century splendor. He received a B.F.A. in 1988 from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.  In the mid 80’s Bosko began his quest; to revive a lost art form, to bring back Tiki as sculpture!  He was the first person to sculpt full size Tikis again, first to make Tiki ceramics (until the following century), first elaborate home bar and museum "The Kapu Tiki Room".  Designed and outfitted the first commercial Tiki bar in North America since the 1970’s, "Taboo Cove" in Las Vegas.  His works are cherished by collectors and in hundreds of commercial spaces all over the world.   Each piece is handmade by Bosko in his Southern California studios.  

Bosko’s art work has been exhibited at:  La Luz De Jesus, Track 16, Outré gallery, Tamara Bane, Roc La Rue, Huntington Beach Art Center, Copro Nason gallery, M-Modern gallery, Minna gallery, M-1 gallery, Beyond Baroque, Rita Dean gallery, Harold Golen Gallery  and many others throughout the world.
 

Bosko and his work have been featured in numerous books, newspaper and magazine articles - New York Times, U.S News and World report, Mono (Japan) and many more - radio and television interviews, documentaries and short films. Most recently a major feature documentary “Bosko and the rebirth of Tiki” debuted at a sold out Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. The film follows Bosko through his childhood in Los Angeles, education at Art Center College of Design and his unsung, pioneering work as the first individual to revive the lost art of carving Tikis, sculpting Tiki ceramics, building the first proper home Tiki bar and much more.

https://www.tikibosko.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tikibosko

Tiki Lindy started in the cocktail industry nearly two decades ago. Her longest stint in the industry has been as a private events bartender and consultant on tiki bar menus and event cocktails.  She regularly represents spirits brands for industry sponsored events, and guest bartends nationwide.  Tiki Lindy is a spirits and cocktail technique educator and author of 3 books, with 4th book in the works. She is a recurrent contributor to “Exotica Moderne” quarterly magazine. You can find out more on her website www.TikiLindy.com and on social media @tikilindy.

https://www.tikilindy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tikilindy/

Jonpaul Balak is an internationally recognized Surf and Exotica bassist based in Venice, CA. He performs around the world with the “international Surf music ambassador” Surfer Joe (Lorenzo Valdambrini), is a member of the renowned modern Exotica septet The Tikiyaki Orchestra and their Surf-centric quartet Tikiyaki 5-0, and the highly influential Surf revival band Insect Surfers (“planet Earth’s longest running modern Surf band”). He has also performed with Surf icons Paul Johnson, John Blair, Randy Holden, Ivan Pongracic, and bands such as The Ghastly Ones, The Kilaueas, The Boardwalkers, Threesome and many others. He received his BA in Musicology from UCLA and is currently working on what will be the very first comprehensive book on the history of the Surf revival.

He's also the host of "Fiberglass Jungle" where he presents the very best in recordings that fall under the wide instrumental Surf Music umbrella. This base encompasses the “pre-surf” instrumental Rock n’ Roll tunes of the late 50s, the classic “First Wave” originators of the early 60s, the “Second Wave” bands of the late 70s and early 80s, the crossover, genre-blending “Third Wave” bands of the 90s, the cutting-edge, description-defiant melting pot of current-day innovators, as well as a healthy dose of Spaghetti Western, international styles such as Japanese Eleki and Finnish Rautalanka, Surf-Guitar-based Exotica, Easy Listening, and Crime Jazz.

https://luxuriamusic.com/members/jonpaul-balak/

https://www.instagram.com/jonpaul.balak/

Jason is an entertaining, fast paced, modern day treasure hunter who has combed the world, buying and selling tiki collectibles.  He has finger on the pulse of the tiki world, what sells, where the deals are, and how to find the hidden treasures. For 24 years he has been collecting all things tiki - menus, mugs, art, carved....  and his collection which numbers over 10,000 pieces also includes 1500 tiki mugs on display. Jason is a thrifter extraordinaire, finding new stuff all the time in both real life (thrift stores) and virtual (Ebay). Because of his buying and selling over the last 1/4 century, Jason has perfected shipping tiki mugs so they arrive safe and sound, all over the world. With those skills, he has now started a new business, Devilishly Good Fulfillment Services, shipping tiki mugs for mug makers and tiki bars. Along with that, his vast knowledge of all things tiki has led him to start consulting with new tiki bars being built. 

For more than 25 years, Waterhouse has established himself as an award-winning journalist, public relations professional, and storyteller. With more than 1,000 bylines to his credit, he’s written for the likes of Esquire, CNN.com, MTV.com, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and others. His brand journalism and PR writing includes work for recognizable entertainment entities such as Star Wars and Lucasfilm, Disney, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival, and Rock Hall of Famers, Van Halen. Additionally, Waterhouse is a creative writer, and his work has been published in the officially licensed “Star Wars Adventures” comic book series. A multi-talented performer, Waterhouse has experience in radio and podcast hosting, including his work with SiriusXM. Additionally, he performs voiceover and on-camera work, and hosts and organizes special events. 

https://www.instagram.com/thejonwaterhouse/

H. C. Warner has worked extensively over 30 years in the mediums of painting, print design, screen printing, murals, commercial exterior, interior conceptualization and design, sculpture, and film. Aside from his painting/sculpture compositions, Warner curated and installed the first Dragon Con Comics and Pop Art Show 20 years ago.

From the time he was young whipper snapper, H. C. Warner banished youthful ennui by transforming it into a tilt-a-whirl, Wonka-esque cabinet of artistic wonders. Taking the meat of his inspiration from his coming of age in the 1970s and 80s, he continues to translate that inspiration into the characters and worlds that eventually become the hallmarks of his art and vision. 

Warner graduated from the University of Georgia in 1991 with a BFA in Graphic Design. The vision is based upon the “Innocence” of youth producing imagery that connects with children as well as adults. Child-like nostalgia and memories reflecting the humorous and sometimes disturbing nature of life play an important role in his creative process. The use of the frequently rendered bee is a metaphor of “fear and love.” He feels these two emotions are the most commonly felt symptoms of human life and appears as a signature touch in many of his paintings.

H. C. has worked extensively over the years in the mediums of painting, print design, screen printing, murals, commercial exterior, interior conceptualization and design, sculpture and film. In addition to his formal training in art, he has gained significant knowledge and experience from the relationships he has developed with working artists. From 1998 to 2000 he earned his start curating a monthly series of solo artist exhibitions entitled “ArtChanges” highlighting diversity and local talent in Atlanta. During the past 20 years, his work has been seen displayed throughout Atlanta’s restaurants, shops, nightclubs and design houses throughout Atlanta. From 2003 to 2011 he owned and operated Alcove Gallery, producing monthly shows, designing and building installations in the heart of one of Atlanta’s most art-centric boroughs. Aside from his painting/sculpture compositions, “Munkeytown” and “The Secret Lives of Parasites” are two among the many of his latest projects presently emerging into the art world.

https://hcwarner.com/

https://www.instagram.com/chimpywimpy/

A cocktail enthusiast and bartender from Savannah, Georgia, MacKay has been working at the Water Witch Tiki Bar for three years, with contributions to the bar's menu featured in several magazines. Their passion in cocktails tends toward the exotic, favoring creative combinations, syrups, infusions, and of course, always a Clarified Milk Punch!

Professional bartenders with a love for all things tiki; ready and willing to take over any bar, backyard, cocktail party, or event that needs delicious cocktails and a hell of a good time. The Lads produce successful lines of mixers and rum, and also produce the Castaway event in Jacksonville, FL. 

https://www.instagram.com/luaulads/

Luaulads.com

Keith is a veteran tikiphile and current caretaker of the Dark Rabbit Tiki Room, his home bar. With years of travel and consumption under his belt - and an increasing belt size to prove it! - he's learned a thing or two about entertaining guests. He also rescues rabbits and fully endorses the Georgia House Rabbit Society.

Ms. Leisure is a tropical home bar enthusiast who subscribes to the KonMarie method of only keeping items that spark joy! https://www.instagram.com/ms_leisure/

Raised in Western North Carolina, Tavi didn't learn of his Māori Heritage until he was 17, this led him to the decision to move to Hawaii to go to school as well learn of his culture. Tavi started training, dancing and performing in 2015 at the Polynesian Cultural Center. His extensive training included multiple Pacific Cultures such as Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa and of course Aotearoa (New Zealand, the home of the Māori.) He also continues to train in Siva Afi or Samoan Fireknife Dancing. While performing at the PCC at night, Tavi attended Brigham Young University - Hawaii where he received a Degree in Mathematics and a minor in Pacific Island Studies. He now lives in Asheville, NC and continues to perform and train all over the South including; North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia under the name 'NCFireknife'. When Tavi isn't performing, he is carving 'Pounamu' or Nephrite Jade into Traditional Polynesian Symbols and Jewelry under the name 'Tavi's Taonga' and 3D-Printing costumes and props under the name 'Tavi Does Stuff'. Tavi has a passion for Education, he started as an Administrative Assistant in Public Schools and now volunteers his time during Asian American Pacific Island Heritage Month to present at various Public Schools and teach Students about Pacific Culture.  

During Inuhele, you can find Tavi the Trading Post and he will also be performing at this year's Luau. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaviTaonga

https://www.instagram.com/tavi.taonga/

Being adjacent to the foodie world has cultivated an appreciation for warm cozy beverages that feel like a hug. When she isn’t sipping tea, she’s calling on the powers of her ancestors for good fortune as she washes the Mah Jongg tiles.

Kevin didn't know Tiki was missing from his life when he fell under its spell in the late 2010s. Since then, he has created his own home bar (in a tiny apartment closet) called The Mystery Cove, adopted the moniker Captain Swizzles, and written the Arcadia Press book, NEW ENGLAND TIKI (part of their regional Tiki series). A writer, designer, and a pop culture history buff, Kevin divides his time between penning novels (Meatball Express, Roller Disco Saturday Night, among others), creating graphic art, and co-hosting the Disney and pop culture podcast, The Thirty20Eight. You can find him midweek at Wusong Road in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he and other denizens of the New England Tiki Society meet for Wusong Wednesday, where the Jet Pilots flow freely and the mystery menu can be seen only if you know the secret phrase. This is Kevin's first Inhuele!

Books: https://shorturl.at/dorz9
Design: KevinQuigleyDesign.com

Podcast: https://shorturl.at/exIMZ

We will have an entire track of classes and crafts, check out the tab at the top of the site.

What was your first tiki mug?  Favorite drink?  First time you ended up with a lampshade on your head?

Come meet your fellow tikiphiles and learn about the DON'T MISS activities during the weekend.  If nothing else, come say hi to Jonathan. Newbies and old hands welcome.

Either way, you won't want to miss this because we will have small group Q&As, games, and a free prize inside!

Come and go as you like. This is brought to you and conducted by Jonathan of Horror In Clay.

Panel: Friday 3:00pm - 4:00pm in The Sandbar

Freelance writer and reviewer Paul Senft has contributed to many print and digital outlets.  His work has appeared in Got Rum? Magazine, Alcohol Professor,  Flaviar.com as well as other publications covering a range of subjects related to Spirits, Travel and  cocktail culture.  Please  visit the Published work page for an archive of his work.

Jamie Galatas lives to be creative. He is a long time surf music devotee, serving as lead guitarist and bandleader for Atlanta surf band The Mystery Men?. He also plays bass in Atlanta surf combo El Capitan & The Reluctant Sadists. Professionally, Jamie has been in the Atlanta animation industry for close to 20 years, serving primarily as an animator and composite lead. He’s worked on numerous projects such as Adult Swim’s Squidbillies and Aqua Teen Hunger Force, as well as the upcoming Ren & Stimpy reboot, countless commercials and other projects over the years. Recently, he’s made the move to the production side of the business serving as an assistant to the executive in charge of Bento Box Atlanta animation studios. Being very engrossed in the tiki world, Jamie is always looking to find creative connections between all of his loves and how they might find their way to the fantasy and vibe that is TIKI. Feel free to dig more into Jamie’s endeavors by going to jamie-galatas.com!

Jim "Hurricane" Hayward is a veteran journalist and writer, best known for The Atomic Grog blog - covering Tiki events, music, art, cocktails and culture since 2011. Along with its popular Mai-Kai cocktail guide, the blog has become the go-to source of information on the landmark restaurant's closing, sale, restoration, and reopening. His Tiki cocktail research and recipes have gained a cult following, often featured in bars and online videos.

Website: AtomicGrog.com
Social media:
https://www.instagram.com/theatomicgrog/
https://www.facebook.com/atomicgrog