The Hawaiian Inn

Last updated
The Hawaiian Inn
FormerlyThe Desert Resort
IndustryHospitality
FounderFrank S. Cannova
Key people
 Frank Cannova, Michael R. Triolo

The Hawaiian Inn was an inn located in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida.

Contents

Background

It was located at 6200 Gulf Blvd, St. Petersburg Beach, Florida. [1] The Hawaiian Inn was born in 1974. Prior to that, for the last 18 years, it was known as The Desert Resort. With the new management headed by Frank Cannova, the previous Western theme and name was replaced by a Polynesian-inspired concept. The management corp, Hawaiian Inns of Florida Inc., had Cannova as a major stockholder. Its vice-president and investor was Michael R. Triolo. The umbrella organization of Hawaiian Inns of Florida Inc. was First-America Development Corp., Hollywood, which also owned the Aquatarium. [2]

In November 1978, the inn suffered heavy damage due to a fire. In February 1979, Cannova sold the inn for around $2 million to Resort Inns of America which already owned a number of inns in the area. [3]

The Kon Tiki Supper Club

In 1975, Monday nights would be considered as family nights at the Kon Tiki, and had entertainment aimed at the young guests. There was also a floor show which had Polynesian acts performing native fire-knife dances and dancing hula girls. [4]

One of the Polynesian dancers at the inn would eventually be known as Marina the Fire-Eating Mermaid, a.k.a. MeduSirena. [5]

The Aloha Lounge

The Aloha lounge was located up a curving stairway. Acts would include Elvis impersonator Mr. Fatu, and The Maui Bandsmen. [6] Others would include Lenny Dee. To add, Kuki and his Kandy Kompany would perform there. [7]

Acts

Erni Benet

In December 1974, Hawaiian born Erni Benet was leading a trio in the Aloha lounge. [8] [9]

Mr. Fatu

During the 1970s, a star attraction at the inn was Samoan Elvis impersonator, Mr. Fatu who was referred to as the greatest Elvis impressionist of the day. [10] [11] His 1976 album, Mr. Fatu Sings Elvis was recorded live at The Hawaiian Inn. [12] In December 1976, following a vacation, he was back ready to perform at the lounge again on the 5th of that month. [13] In August 1977, he was appearing at the Colonial Inn, backed by a nine-piece band called Coastal Connection. [14]

Johnny Charro

In November 1978, Johnny Charro, another singer with an Elvis edge and his backing band, The Johnny Charro Review were appearing at the Aloha Lounge having appeared since early October. [15] [16]

Lenny Dee

In January 1978, Lenny Dee appeared at the Aloha Lounge, appearing Tuesday through to Saturday, 9:30pm and 11:30pm. [17] For a while, Dee held a residency there. [18]

Other acts

One of the other acts to appear there was THE Loris Caines Harmonicon Band. [19]

Changes

In the March 15, 1979 edition of the Gulf Beach Independent an article stated that there would be thematic changes to the inn and one of the changes was the transformation of a Hawaiian styled beach bar to a German style trader beer garden. There were plans for an oom-pah-pah band as well. [20]

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References

  1. ↑ Tiki Road Trip: A Guide to Tiki Culture in North America By James Teitelbaum Florida Tiki Sites Permanently Closed
  2. ↑ St. Petersburg Times Wednesday September 11, 1974 13-A Business & Finance, Desert Ranch motel getting new look, name By Ron Yogman
  3. ↑ St. Petersburg Independent February 26, 1979 Hawaiian Inn Reported Sold
  4. ↑ The Ledger Tuesday Nov 18, 1975 To Dining and Entertainment, Hawaiian Inn: Exciting Resort in St. Pete Beach
  5. ↑ NBC 6 South Florida Mar 29, 2010 NiteTalk: MeduSirena Is Much More Than a Fire-Eating Mermaid by John Hood
  6. ↑ The Ledger Tuesday Nov 18, 1975 To Dining and Entertainment, Hawaiian Inn: Exciting Resort in St. Pete Beach
  7. ↑ The Evening Independent July 17, 1978 He's Dee-Lightful
  8. ↑ St. Petersberg Independent Monday, August 2, 1971 8-A Pete Tragos presents .. Erni Benet
  9. ↑ St. Petersburg Times Wednesday, December 4, 1974 Night Scene Hawaiian Inn Sets New Style On Beach
  10. ↑ Theorizing Self in Samoa: Emotions, Genders, and Sexualities By Jeannette Marie Mageo Page 40
  11. ↑ The Ledger Tuesday Nov 18, 1975 To Dining and Entertainment, Hawaiian Inn: Exciting Resort in St. Pete Beach
  12. ↑ Discogs Mr. Fatu* – Mr. Fatu Sings Elvis
  13. ↑ The evening Independent Dec 1, 1976 8-B Entertainment
  14. ↑ The Evening Independent August 19, 1977 5-B Mr. Fatu And The Coastal Connection At Colonial Inn
  15. ↑ Gulf Beach Independent Thursday, October 5, 1978 Page 5 Entertainment, Masked In The Cloak Of Elvis - Dan Harris
  16. ↑ St. Petersburg Independent Thursday November 2, 1978 10-B
  17. ↑ St. Petersburg Times January 27, 1978 11-D Two Great Nite Club Shows In One Great Place!
  18. ↑ The Evening Independent July 17, 1978 He's Dee-Lightful
  19. ↑ The evening Independent Dec 1, 1976 8-B Entertainment
  20. ↑ Gulf Beach Independent March 15, 1979 Page 5 Hawaiian Inn: From Beach Bar To Beer Garden
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