WAHI HANA — Welcome to a Great Alternative to the Portland Bars!

Sometimes I just get the urge to GO! When I heard about Wahi Hana, a new tiki bar in Vancouver, WA opening up in December 2022, that urge started growing. Oooo… Vancouver? That’s only, what? Four and a half–five hours away? Hmm. I could do it.

That need to GO grew and festered. When I had an invitation to visit a home tiki bar in Gig Harbor (about 2 1/2 hours south of me…but also only 2 1/2 hours north of Vancouver), that urge to GO took over and go-go-GO I did! Sure, Vancouver was a HUGE detour out of my way to Gig Harbor, but why NOT?

I made a reservation for one at 5 p.m. I made a hotel reservation, checked my route, etc. I was good to go. Or so I thought. What I didn’t count on was the weather (non-stop rain) and the ferry schedule. (Oops! Missed it by that much.) Here I was making this crazy journey to visit a tiki bar…and it looked like I was going to miss my reservation!

I pulled over and sent the restaurant a message. I explained that I was running about 30-45 minutes late for my appointed visit. Since it was just me, if they could still fit me in, I’d be happy to just sit at the bar. 222.1 miles (according to Google Maps) later (and 45 minutes late), the rains had receded and I arrived. I snagged a parking spot and made my way to the door.

The exterior wall featured a fun, cartoon-ish tiki scene next to a big bamboo gate and fence. Beyond the fence, I was surprised to see a large AstroTurf-like grassy area (a patio area during warmer weather, perhaps?) with more amazing illustrations on the walls. The actual entrance was through the cleverly painted door of the mural’s painted hut.

Once inside, I awkwardly and rather frazzledly tried to explain to the hostess that I had had a reservation, but was arriving late. She knew exactly who I was, having received my message from the road. She led me to a single seat at the bar and sat me between two couples. Ahh, I was there. Finally. I could take a moment to breathe…

I had hardly had time to take in my surroundings, when a very friendly and very skilled bartender, whose name I later learned was Nikki, placed the menu in front of me as she welcomed me to the bar. Oh yes… drinks! And I really should eat something as well, I thought. Before I really got a good look at the place, into the menu I dived.

I told Nikki that I’d like to start off with a Lapu Lapu. The description reads: “This mixture is just the right amount of sweet to calm any warrior after a long campaign.” While I may not be a warrior, I had certainly had a long drive. This creation of passion fruit, lemon, and orange juices mixed with light and dark rums sounded like an enticing way to mellow out after my voyage. For dinner, I ordered the Wahi Hana Burger.

The couple to my left departed about the time my food arrived. I was munching away on my burger, teriyaki sauce smeared all over my lips and fingers, feeling rather messy. (It was so tasty, but I must have been a sight.) Suddenly, I heard this voice talking on my left as my face was buried in the burger…and I realized the conversation was directed at me. Huh? I put the burger down and hastily tried to wipe the sticky teriyaki from my lips and fingers while swallowing my food to respond. It was a very charming young woman who came over to tell me that she was the one who had gotten my text about running late and she was happy I had made it safely. She introduced herself as Shaleesh. She is one of the Assistant Managers. It was kind of her to check on me. I think she was a little incredulous that I had come all of that way–alone–just to try out the bar. I confessed to being a big tiki nerd. She seemed very pleased that I had made such a great effort.

Not long afterwards, the couple on my right had disappeared. A man I had noticed peripherally when I first came in appeared at my side. He was clearly another staff member (who I later learned was Rick, the General Manager), and also surprised about my solo trek down from Whidbey to visit Wahi Hana–but also very pleasant and very welcoming.

Truth be told, in addition to just wanting to check out the bar, this was also a scouting mission of sorts. The (apparently) last Tiki Kon in Portland is happening this summer. Some friends and I are going. While I am sure the hordes of tikiphiles descending on Portland will be crowding into The Alibi and Hale Pale, I wanted to see if it was worth bringing my friends across the river to Vancouver to check out Wahi Hana or not. So far, I had really liked what I had seen.

As I sat there, sipping away and finishing the last of my fries, I’d noticed the volcano in the “window” behind the bar erupting several times. When that happened, the overhead lights would flash red and there was a great rumbling. There was also an occasional tropical storm that blew in with rain, thunder and lighting flashes.

I asked Nikki if a certain drink order triggered the eruption. She confessed that while they do occasionally trigger it to keep guests involved in the wonders of Wahi Hana, it usually occurs when the guests order one of the cocktails that comes flaming; either the Jet Pilot or the Test Pilot. She pointed to one of the bartenders whose name I’d later learn was Sandra. “She really likes to do the fire stuff,” she said.

Fire? I’m a sucker for a gimmick. Sold. When Sandra was near my side of the bar, I told her that I would be ordering a Jet Pilot next and I would like for her to be my own, personal fire gal. Sure enough, as soon as Nikki mixed the drink and handed it off to Sandra, she had a mini-pyrotechnic party. Whoo hoo!

(I think Sandra knew how thrilled I was and gave me a couple of extra fire blasts! Ha!)

Not long afterwards, Shaleesh came by to check and see how I was doing. She told me that, if I liked, she would introduce me to the Justins, the owners of Wahi Hana, who happened to be there having drinks. Whaaaat!?! What an honor. Yes, please!

Seated in a corner booth were the creators of this amazing tropical paradise, Justin Rawlinson and his business partner Justin Smith, along with their wives Juliann (spelling?) and Megan. I humbly congratulated them on making such a fabulous tiki palace. The Justins apparently visited several tiki bars throughout California to get inspiration for their bar. Juliann was saying how it had really been a group effort and how everyone had pitched in and helped. I was just so thrilled that I got to meet them.

Back at the bar, I was now on Wahi Hana’s take on the classic Mai Tai.

I asked Nikki about mugs for sale, and she pulled out the bar’s 1st edition mug…which I, of course, said I’d love to buy.

Shaleesh came by and wanted to know how it had gone with the Justins. I told her how excited I had been to get to talk with them momentarily. She had been so sweet to have arranged that. We chatted a little more about the bar. She told me that while most people focus on the erupting volcano, there were other things happening in the “skylight” and rear “window” that visitors don’t usually notice. For example, smoke from the volcano can be seen blowing across the perfectly blue sky in the “skylight” during the eruption. When the tropical storm effects hit, lightning can be seen striking the water in the rear “window.” Fascinating.

Just as I was finishing up that Mai Tai and contemplating what would have to be my last drink of the night (I had my heart set on something called a Tiki Illusion), the Justins showed up. They were taking off, but wanted to wish me a good evening. How utterly nice of them. One of them spotted the mug I was buying and suggested I try the signature drink that goes with it, the Hula Mai, which is their own twist on the Mai Tai.

The fellows left and I thought, okay…I guess I’ve gotta try the Hula Mai. Nikki whipped it up and…Mmm. Did my taste buds deceive me or was that better than the Mai Tai it was based on? In addition to light, dark, and vanilla rums, lime and pineapple juice, Wahi Hana syrup (!?!) was included. Hmm. Who knows what mysterious ingredients are in that? But the drink was certainly tasty.

Several hours had gone by since I’d first walked in the door. That perhaps bemused the staff as much as my trek down had. But why would I want to just leave after all the trouble I took getting there? Besides, I was digging the immersive feel of the place. The whole bar felt like you were in a big lodge house of some tropical paradise. The walls and ceiling are covered with bamboo poles and matting, adding to the illusion. The lights are eclectic and unique. And everyone–EVERYONE–had just been so nice. It really is a cool place.

Shaleesh came by again. She said she’d have to disappear into the office to do some work, but she had something for me if I’d like it. For St. Patrick’s Day this year, she had made special gold coins. The bar hide them in various places. Patrons who came in that day and found one could trade it in for a free drink, a free appetizer, or just keep it as a souvenir. Shaleesh said she had one left…and gave it to me. Oh wow! What a wonderful, wonderful unexpected surprise! How very, very kind. Thank you so much! Zowie!

I was floored by how wonderful everyone was. I totally felt like I was amongst old friends I’d known for years. After my Hula Mai, I was hesitant to leave. Perhaps I’d stay for just one more, the Tiki Illusion, and then I’d really have to call it a night (and find the hotel). Nikki worked her magic and soon I was enjoying my final sips of the evening.

That drink really must have been an illusion, because it soon had faded away… And that’s just what I needed to do, too. During a brief, quiet moment behind the bar, I was lucky enough to get a photo of two of the people who had help to make the night so incredibly special; Sandra and Nikki.

I will most definitely be taking my friends to Wahi Hana this summer. My experience went above and beyond my wildest expectations–and it was totally worth that crazy drive. Only, this time when we visit, we’ll have a reservation–and we’ll make sure to arrive on time.

CHEERS!

Wahi Hana
1819 Main St.
Vancouver, WA 98660
(360) 360-4656
https://wahihana.com/