La Mariana Sailing Club

The La Mariana Sailing Club is one of our favourite places, and best kept secrets, so don’t tell the others!

It is tucked away, by the water’s edge in the mostly industrial back blocks of Sand Island on Oahu.

Entering the grounds is just like the wait line for Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise.

Annette La Mariana Nahinu established The Mariana Sailing Club on the shores of Keehi Lagoon in 1953 and the tiki bar opened not long after, in 1955...

Over the years La Mariana has collected endless eclectic Hawaiian tiki decor and artifacts from other bars, often after those legendary bars, from Don the Beachcomber to Trader Vics, had closed down. It’s a tropical time capsule in here, and pretty much considered a museum by tikiphiles. Are those carved tikis from the Kon Tiki Room?? yes, they are. Am I sitting in a well-worn rattan char from Don the Beachcomber? yes, I am. Hold the phone - is that an indoor waterfall?? yes, it is.

It’s hard not to order a second mai tai when you’re looking out at the marina from the breezy outdoor patio, or under the flattering lighting of the puffer fish lights. Maybe I’ll have one of their famous zombies this time around! And bring it to me in a tiki mug that I’ll take home for an extra $40. The drinks are great, the food and service are Ok, but the kitschy, divy, authentic tiki decor can’t be beat.

We LOVE The La Mariana - and remember - don’t tell the others!

PS — yes, La Mariana did appear in an episode of Magnum PI, but in name only - the bar itself was a set. show biz -pffft

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Hawaii No. 12 -last visited May 2024