Film director Steven Spielburg isn’t a newcomer to the world of video games (us old-timers may remember “The Dig” from 1995), but it’s been some time since I’ve seen his name involved in the genre. That’s why I was surprised to come across his new game for the Nintendo Wii, Boom Blox!, in U.S. stores now.

The 400-level game takes place in four different “worlds,” including one that’s tiki themed. The premise of the game is simple: players use the Wii Remote to grab, throw, and blast towers of blocks to topple them over for points. Players can compete or play cooperatively. In addition, players can create levels and share them with the world using the Wii’s Internet connectivity.

It’s targeted towards 8-12 year-olds, but it looks like a blast (pun intended) for adults too, and will probably be my next Wii purchase after the Wii Fit comes out later this month.

Boom Box is currently available in the North America and Europe. It will be released in Asia on May 13 and Japan on May 22.

Visit official website | Buy Boom Blox at Amazon.com

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This house, formerly owned by Victor Bergeron, of Trader Vic’s fame, is currently up for sale in Berkeley, California for just over a million dollars.

Although it doesn’t look very tiki, there is supposedly a Chinese oven in the backyard (which is neither in the listing nor in photos, unfortunately).

See details and virtual tour | Thanks, Otto and Will the Thrill!

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Sadly, 2008 is going to be the last year for the Hukilau, a yearly gathering of tiki lovers on the east coast of Florida. The event has been going on since 2002. In 2003, it moved to Ft. Lauderdale to be close to the famed Mai Kai restaurant and offered a souvenir mug — and each year has topped the last.

2008’s mug, by Munktiki, is a fitting end to the legacy. Designed in the likeness of one of the Mai Kai’s giant tikis, the edition of 300 will all be individually glazed so no two are alike.

Note: as of today, there are only 28 of the mugs remaining!

This year, the mug is being offered to the general public and will probably sell out well before the event in June.

$66 + shipping and taxes.

Buy or get more info at the Hukilau website.

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I’ve been working my way through Jeff Berry’s excellent cocktail recipe books for a number of years and have been hitting a couple of road blocks when it comes to finding ingredients. #1 on my “Most Wanted” list is falernum — a Jamacian sweetener that consists of sugar water, lime juice, rum, cloves, and other spices. It seems to be available in a couple of forms in larger cities on the west coast, but living in Florida, it’s impossible to find in our local liquor stores, who seem more interested in selling Budweiser.

The internet is abuzz with falernum controversy: enterprising cocktailians have developed their own formulas and are fermenting them in mason jars, one company is importing what may (or may not) be a holiday spiced version version of the stuff from the islands again, and all the while no one can quite agree on what is the “authentic” taste as none of the interested parties actually tasted the stuff back in the ’30s and ’40s when it was frequently used in cocktail recipes.

While all of this controversy has been raging, Fee Brothers, maker of cocktail mixers and bitters since 1863, has been steadily producing their non-alcoholic falernum, which Jeff Berry recommends for Don the Beachcomber-style drinks he’s championed. If it’s good enough for the Beachbum, it’s good enough for me, and oddly, the stuff is now being sold on Amazon.com, so it’s available to us unwashed masses that don’t live in the historical shadows of the rum cocktail revolution.

I placed my order last night and can’t wait to compare all three versions of the Zombie in Sippin’ Safari!

Buy Fee Brothers Falernum at Amazon.com

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Woe is the day when you’re ready to mix a Mai Tai but have neither the energy or the ingredients. Mai Tai mix to the rescue! Trader Vic’s, the originator of the drink, sells a pre-made mix online, but recently I’ve read lots of good things about Dave & Anna’s Signature Blends Mai Tai Mix.

Dave was a bartender for Trader Vic’s and eventually his own restaurant, Honolulu, in Alexandria, VA, and claims to have made over 200,000 Mai Tais in his lifetime. He and his wife ran the establishment for 25 years until the restaurant closed due to a DOT construction project.

Besides the mix, their recipe calls for 1 oz of light rum, 1 oz of golden rum, 1 oz of lemon juice and a squeeze of lime. Not necessarily close to the original formula, but definitely easier for the home bartender to produce.

Find out more at Dave and Anna’s Signature Blends

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Premiering this summer - the biggest gathering of Hawaiian falsetto (leo ki’eki’e) artists outside of Hawai’i is coming to Los Angeles!

Showcasing the award-winning talents of Raiatea Helm, Gary Haleamau, Hoku Zuttermeister, Steven Espaniola, Auntie Geri Brigoli and Ryan Souza, all on one stage together, this festival is the first of its kind.

Featuring Raiatea Helm — 2x Grammy Nominee and Na Hoku Hanohano award winner. Supporting artists include Grammy winner Jeff Peterson on guitar, Berklee grad Abe Lagrimas Jr on ‘ukulele and Natusol bassist Taumata Grey.

Plus Hula Performances by Noelani McIntosh & Kaleilehua O Panaewa, Halau Hula Ka Lehua O Ka La’akea, Hawai’i Daughter’s Guild of California & the Kama’aina Glee Club of Orange County.

Tickets on sale NOW at www.AlohaFalsettoFest.com

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God bless Forbidden Island — this contempory tiki bar really seems to “get it,” rewarding regulars and newcomers with a variety of activities to keep them coming back.

On May 18 at 3:00pm, they’ll be holding their first ever luau, featuring:

• A world-class traditional luau buffet, prepared by award-winning chefs!
• Live entertainment from Tahitian dancers!
• Select Forbidden Island Cocktails at special prices!
• Luxurious gourmet gelato from Gelateria Naia (www.gelaterianaia.com) featuring Forbidden Island Cocktail-flavored gelatos!
• Island treats & collectibles for sale!
• And some surprises!

Admission and entertainment are free, with food & drink for a fee. Please note the event is 21 and over only.

May 18, 2008. Starts at 3 pm.
1304 Lincoln Ave., Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 749-0332

Visit the Forbidden Island website

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