Exotic Tiki Island Podcast with Tiki Brian - Show 25

Tiki Gardens

Originally published April 10, 2014

Summary:

Show 25 of the Exotic Tiki Island Podcast is a heartfelt tribute to Tiki Gardens, the beloved South Seas–themed attraction that once stood in Indian Shores, Florida. Tiki Brian opens the episode by recounting the history of the park—from its humble beginnings in 1962, to its expansion into a 12‑acre Polynesian wonderland filled with peacocks, waterfalls, tiki statues, jungle trails, and themed shops. Although the real Tiki Gardens closed in the 1980s, this special episode brings it back to life on Exotic Tiki Island through music, storytelling, and an immersive audio recreation inspired by the original souvenir LP Exotic Sounds from Tiki Gardens. After sailing to the island aboard Captain Scotty B’s new boat, listeners arrive at the main beach and begin their journey toward the recreated attraction.

Once inside Tiki Gardens, the episode transforms into a full audio tour, complete with torch‑lighting ceremonies, ukulele performances, twilight ambience, and narrated vignettes that guide listeners through the park’s iconic locations. The experience includes visits to the King’s Fish Pond, Fire Mountain, Monkey Village, the Bell Tower, and the lush tropical gardens filled with exotic birds and cascading waterfalls. Soundscapes of peacocks, parakeets, and jungle creatures blend with classic Polynesian melodies to recreate the magic of the original attraction. As twilight deepens, the ceremony concludes with traditional Hawaiian songs and a warm farewell, inviting listeners to imagine strolling through the gardens one last time. The episode closes with aloha and gratitude, marking this 25th show as a nostalgic celebration of tiki history.

Tracklist

1. Trade Winds - Kenny Sasaki & The Tiki Boys
2. Hawaii - King Keoni and his Islanders
3. Blue Hawaii - Eddie Bush
4. Hukilau - Sol Kamahele & Diamond Head Beach Boys
5. Beyond the reef - New Hawaiian Band
6. Lovely Hula Hands - Bing Crosby
7. Aloha Oe - Elvis Presley
8. Honana Honana / Tsviri - Eddie Lund - The mutiny Drums
9. Hawaiian Wedding Song from Tiki Gardens LP
10. Coronation - Martin Denny
11. Yellow Bird - Art Coates
12. Island Moon - The Polynesions
13. The Ancient Galleon - Les Baxter
14. Crickets Of Karachi - Don Tiare
15. Moonlight In Waikiki - Danny Stweart
16. Afro-Samba - Rodger Roder
17. Pretty Red Hibiscus - The Hawaiian Beach Boys
18. Lotus Land - Martin Denny
19. The Sounds of Exotica - Ted Auletta
20. Polynesia Poppie - Kava Kon
21. Temptation - Johnny Spencer and the Kona Koasters
22. Hula Blues - Lani McIntire
23. Tiki Gardens - Tiki Brian's Exotic Remix (again with outro)
24. On a Coconut Island - Paul Shimomoto