After two years of searching, Jack Law had all but given up hope of finding a new location for Hula's Bar & Lei Stand, the gay establishment he opened in 1974. He had taken several surveys and the customers wanted to remain in Waikiki, the heart of Honolulu's tourist district and steps away from the pristine water of the Pacific Ocean along Waikiki Beach.
He toured a three-story apartment building in Waikiki in the 1990s, which is now the gay-oriented Waikiki Cabana Hotel, but that just didn't have the ambiance that Law wanted for a new and improved Hula's.
Law's realtor told him about one other location, on the second floor of the Waikiki Grand Hotel. The place was a mess, gutted, but Law was immediately struck by a picturesque view of Diamond Head Mountain and Waikiki Beach.
He was sold … Hula's had found a new home.
Flash forward to the present, and Hula's is firmly established in Hawaii as the premier gay nightclub, celebrating its sixth year inside the Waikiki Grand Hotel and 30th year overall. The club held an anniversary party last summer that was so big, so grand, so gala that it was held across the street at the Honolulu Zoo. And the post-party partying was, of course, back inside Hula's
'I miss the old place, especially that old banyan tree ( that was in the center of the bar ) , but this location is great,' said Law, 58, who lives about 10 minutes away from the current location. 'When we first opened Hula's, I never, ever envisioned we'd still be going strong 30 years later.'
How could he. After all, Law opened Hula's in the '70s as a 26-year-old with a brilliant imagination and yet no bar management experience.
'It took a good three or four years before we started turning a profit, and not a large one at that,' Law said. 'It's been a lot of fun over 30 years, a lot of memories and a lot of changes.'
Hula's clearly is a Hawaiian landmark, catering to the gay and gay-friendly crowd, which includes a solid core of locals and tens of thousands of annual visitors. Beer from three taps is available and the mai tai's are always marvelous, as bartender Robert is always saying. The pool table is always busy and the club now even offers WIFI ability or Internet access to patrons on its free-of-charge computers. Hula's also has a dance floor, extraordinary video collection and an amazing lighting system.
Oh, yeah, Hula's also has a view. Not just any view, but an awesome view, thanks to 80-feet of uninterrupted window space. Diamond Head is more amazing than ever from Hula's, same for the Pacific Ocean. Hula's is a 10-minute walk from Queen's Surf, which is, naturally, the gay portion of Waikiki Beach.
'Honolulu has always been a very gay-friendly city, perhaps because that's part of the Polynesian culture and the fact that so many people living in Hawaii are a minority to begin with, be it a racial-minority, religious-minority or whatever,' Law said. 'Waikiki is a fun city, with one of the greatest beaches in the world, and there's a lot to do here beside the beach. From the opera and ballet to museums and an ice rink. There are so many natural wonders, too.'
Honolulu delivers something for everyone, starting with Pearl Harbor where, on Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked the U.S. naval base, killing 2,400 people and kick-starting American's entrance in World War II. No trip to Honolulu would be complete without a guided tour of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.
There are other must-sees on the island of Oahu, such as:
— Polynesian Cultural Center. Dedicated to preserving and portraying the cultures, arts and crafts of Polynesia, the center showcases Tonga, Tahiti, the Marquesas, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and, of course, Hawaii. Spanning 42 acres and located about 35 miles from Waikiki, the center includes IMAX theaters, canoe rides and an incredible evening luau and show. The Polynesian Cultural Center is open from noon-9:30 p.m., six days a week; it is closed on Sundays.
— Five Star Dinner Cruise. Splurge for the ultimate romantic evening, from limousine transportation beforehand to a seven-course meal.
— Hanauma Bay. Located on the southeastern shore of Oahu, this tiny, curved bay offers a beautiful setting for snorkeling among hundreds of amazing-looking reef fish that will eat out of your hand.
— Diamond Head. Bring your hiking shoes ( and a camera ) for this 30-minute journey to the top. You'll have to endure 100 stair steps, but the walk is well worth it
— Honolulu Zoo. Yes, there are giraffes steps from Waikiki. On the southeast side of Waikiki, the zoo spans 300 acres and attracts more than 750,000 visitors annually.
— Waikiki Aquarium. Located steps from Queen's Surf, this is the third-oldest public aquarium in the U.S. Opened in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium features a host of exotic fish.
— North Shore. We're not talking Northbrook, Winnetka and the sort. We're talking monster waves for the experienced surfers, coupled with unique boutiques and world-renown beaches.
— Waimea Bay. This is heaven for wave riders, mainly the experienced sort. The breathtaking beaches are worth the trip.
— Don Ho. Hey, what would a Hawaiian trip be without the king of Hawaiian entertainers as he performs at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Also offered at the Beachcomber Hotel is the Magic of Polynesia, starring John Hirokawa, and his award-winning show is incredible
There are other gay bars on Oahu, such as Angles Waikiki, Fusion Waikiki ( an after-hours dance club ) and In-Between. And Max's Gym is the spot for those who can't survive Chicago without Steamworks.
Hula's clearly is the focal point for the Waikiki gay community, a meeting place for people from around the world. 'If you have a favorite drink, chances are good that we have it or know how to make it,' Law said. Hula's manager Del has worked there for 20 years, same for doorman Lionel. Muscle-laden bartender Chuck has 10 years under his belt. 'What we always strive to do is, create a safe place for people to have a good time,' Law said.
Hula's has attracted countless mainstream celebrities over the years, from Elton John and Richard Chamberlain to Dolly Parton and Bruce Vilanch. Clearly, Hula's is the place to see and be seen in the gay community.
NOTE
The Volcano Party, this year dubbed Embrace The Fire, is set for Feb. 25-27 in Honolulu. The three-day Volcano Party Festival is a tourism initiative of the Maui AIDS Foundation, see Web site www.mauiaids.org . The goal of the project is to raise funds and awareness for the agency and create business opportunities for Hawaii's tourism industry. One-hundred percent of the profits from Volcano Party benefit the Maui AIDS Foundation.
