A visit to La Mariana Tiki Bar and Restaurant, nestled on the shores of Keehi Lagoon right by the La Mariana Sailing Club, is like taking a step back in time to 1950’s Hawaii.

La Mariana is the last original Tiki bar on Oahu, and it is a lush hideaway with a unique setting and radiant ambience.  

An oasis in the middle of Honolulu’s industrial area, it is located en route to Sand Island from the Honolulu Airport.  

La Mariana is a fabulous location for a cocktail, to enjoy the ‘golden hour’ of sunset, and to sit and watch the many sailboats docked right beside the restaurant.  

Since it is quite close to the airport, it is THE place to stop in for some drinks and pupus (appetizers) before or after a flight. 

It is right under the flight path, so be prepared to pause conversations especially when the military planes fly over!

The most unique feature of the place is the Bali Ha’i-style decor, complete with many South Pacific island motifs and sculptures.  

The restaurant and bar are decorated with glass balls and fishing nets hanging colorfully from the walls and ceilings, huge shell-covered lamps and rattan chairs with wooden tables.  

Founded in 1957 by Annette and Johnny Campbell, La Mariana serves as a historic reminder of old Hawaii and is a living museum of Hawaiiana.  

Apparently, as other famous tiki-themed restaurants on the island closed one after the other, Annette collected a lot of the memorabilia and brought it to La Mariana to create something totally unique.  

There are old carved tikis and koa wood tables.  

Annette’s vision for the place was that it might transport guests to a long time ago when most of Hawaii was still pineapple fields, and that folks might experience the slow, unhurried pace of that era.