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While poking around in a local antique store this morning, I found a fantastic Hawaiian Ku carving. It stands about 18-inches tall, and is carved from Monkeypod wood. There's no artist signature, and the hole in the bottom suggests that it was turned on a lathe, but that's all I know about it. Like most Hawaiian art, it probably was made for the tourist trade. Still, a nice find.

In other news, I received a most pleasant surprise in the mail the other day. Kevin, the head bartender at the Tiki Bar and Lounge in Melbourne, Australia, sent me a copy of their new menu, beautifully illustrated in classic mid-century Polynesian Pop style by local artist, Fiona Palmer. The drinks sound great. I'm particularly intrigued by the "Get Smart"-inspired Cone of Silence, which features a shaved-ice cone.

As they were closed for remodeling, I unfortunately missed out on the Tiki Bar when I was in Melbourne last January. However, I'm (very tentatively) scheduled to go there again this March, and Kevin assures me they'll be open for all of my tropical refreshment needs this time. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed.