Originally Posted by
mstraveler
Don't get your hopes up for good Hawaiian music here these days. The Tahiti Nui has, not unexpectedly, become the tourist/movie venue I feared.
Not as bad as it could have been (no tour buses), but filled with nothing but tourists except on my last of three visits (a Tuesday) when the only local was one VERY drunk guy sitting next to me who would not leave me alone (physically and verbally). The musicians played only "anglo", English language, Hawaiian music - think "Tiny Bubbles" and the last uninteresting wedding you went to - and the staff was overrun. One bartender for the entire, full+ bar and a couple of waitstaff and the entire restaurant.
Sunday night was not so bad, but Friday late afternoon had some lame mainland-type slack key players with a silly name something like " De Mentias".
Went to The Tavern one night for music but when I got there no one had seen or heard from the musician, who showed up an hour late.
Will miss the Tahiti Nui. If Sideways is any example, time will not fix this. If there is any decent low key spot to where the locals have fled for music and some drinks I would love to know it
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My experience at Nui last week was mixed. Kanak Attack was performing and it started off with 10 minutes of schmaltzy "who's here for the first time?', "any honeymooners out there?" etc. But all was temporarily forgiven and forgotten when they started to play and opened with a nice cover of "Sweet Lady of Waiahole." They went on to some other decent island classics but later reverted to cheesy non-island tunes. All in all it was ok, and at least there was some Hawaiian music. Just wish they could quit playing Margaritaville in Hawaii. And the Kalua pork pizza was actually quite good.
As Antonio8069 mentioned there is music at Nui nightly. From what was posted at the Westin Villas they have Hawaiian music on Mondays/Fridays/Saturdays. Didn't make it there for any of it so can't say one way or the other. Also walked by HBR and Happy Talk is still out of commission and from the state of rebuilding progress will be so for quite a while yet. I coulda cried.