Johnny Tsunami
Well-known member
Ive been living here in The Bal Hinch, amongst the corn, for 35 years now. I spent 6 of those years converting my entire house, into a tiki fantasyland. Everyone I worked with, and knew casually, were well versed on my passion for tiki. YET!!! not once, ever, did anyone mention to me that I was going about my daily business, while living so close, to the ancient burial grounds of tiki royalty. In 35 years here, I never heard this persons name mentioned, although his family was well established in the community. To be honest, I never knew who he was, until I came across his name, while doing some research on early, west coast, temples of tiki.
He was born here, graduated collage here, then quickly left for Hollywood, where he made a name for himself as an actor, business owner, and ex husband of Lana Turner.
It just so happens, he also opened one the most popular tiki palaces in all of Hollywood. The Luau, on Rodeo drive. He also started the Kon Tiki chain, found at Sheraton hotels across the country. Highly sought after tiki artifacts culled from his businesses, can still be found, demanding a good price, on ebay and across the interent, to this day. His name?
Joseph Stephenson Crane.
After passing in 1985 he was finally laid to rest, in Oakhill Cemetery, just a few plots down from some guy named Lew Wallace, who wrote a little book called Ben Hur.
The tiki vibe here at The Rapa Nui Ranch, now grows, upon learning that we exist in the shadows of tiki greatness, here in the Hoosier heartland. Add a little gladiator madness, and some 12 year old rum to the mix, and it looks like happy hour around here, could get interesting. Aloha!
He was born here, graduated collage here, then quickly left for Hollywood, where he made a name for himself as an actor, business owner, and ex husband of Lana Turner.
It just so happens, he also opened one the most popular tiki palaces in all of Hollywood. The Luau, on Rodeo drive. He also started the Kon Tiki chain, found at Sheraton hotels across the country. Highly sought after tiki artifacts culled from his businesses, can still be found, demanding a good price, on ebay and across the interent, to this day. His name?
Joseph Stephenson Crane.
After passing in 1985 he was finally laid to rest, in Oakhill Cemetery, just a few plots down from some guy named Lew Wallace, who wrote a little book called Ben Hur.
The tiki vibe here at The Rapa Nui Ranch, now grows, upon learning that we exist in the shadows of tiki greatness, here in the Hoosier heartland. Add a little gladiator madness, and some 12 year old rum to the mix, and it looks like happy hour around here, could get interesting. Aloha!
