Lee and Karen Duquette celebrated their
50th Wedding Anniversary with family
at the Mai-Kai Restaurant
3599 N. Federal Highway
Oakland Park, FL
January 23, 2016

The two RV Gypsies met and married in Hawaii because they were both in the Military and stationed at Pearl Harbor. So their very thoughtful daughter and son-in-law thought that the Mai-Kai would be the most appropriate local place to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Mai-Kai is a tiki-themed restaurant that opened to the public on December 28, 1956, and is one of the few "Grand Polynesian Palaces of Tiki" still in operation today. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For many years it sold more rum than any location in the United States.

The Mai-Kai became rather expansive in time; it includes eight dining rooms, a bar, tropical gardens with walking paths and waterfalls, a stage in the center to showcase the Polynesian Islander Revue floor show, and a gift shop.

Today, the Mai-Kai is much like it was in the 1960s. A wooden slat bridge is crossed to reach the porte cochere and valets. A maitre d' greets visitors, and in the beautiful restrooms there is an attendant, which the restaurant says is "a luxury missing from too many places today". However, Karen Duquette does NOT think being handed a towel to dry her hands is that great of a luxury.

New authentic dances are created each year. The showroom is divided into 4 distinct areas, each named after a different Polynesian island. The waitresses at the Mai-Kai's Molokai Bar are attired in bikini tops and wraparound sarongs.

The Mai-Kai Gardens: The Mai-Kai has taken advantage of the year-round growing season and tropical climate to its fullest advantage. Some of the palms and orchids are over fifty years old. The Mai-Kai contains many genuine Polynesian artifacts, some that are over 100 years old. Much of the original collection of Polynesian artifacts was donated to the Thorton's alma mater Stanford University in the 1970s. Part of the collection was donated to the local Fort Lauderdale art museum. An insurance appraisal put such a high value on the artifacts that it made the Mai-Kai virtually uninsurable.

Below: As the family members of the two RV Gypsies' arrived at the Mai-Kai, they went to the bar/lounge area until it was time to be seated.

Below: Karen Duquette enjoyed the signature drink, appropriately named the Mai-Kai.

Below: The two RV Gypsies and their family were seated at a long table and Karen and Lee Duquette each took a seat right by the edge of the stage.

Below:: The Great-Grandson of the two RV Gypsies enjoyed a non-alcoholic drink and then Anthony and his Great-Grandmother, Karen Duquette had a playful sword fight with the tiny plastic swords that came in the drinks. Alex Jones, Karen's grandson, watched the sword fight.

Below: Karen Duquette and her grandson, Alex Jones - (Anthony's Uncle Alex)

Everyone loved their appetizers, meal, and desert. Then it was time for the Hawaiian show. The two RV Gypsies were both chosen to be on stage and do some Hawaiian dancing with some of the performers. John Smythers took a video from his seat by the stage.

Below: Anthony really enjoyed being seated right by the stage.

Below: After dancing on stage, Lee and Karen Duquette were escorted back to their seats. They felt the heat of the fire dances, since they were right at the edge of the stage.

Below: Karen Duquette with her daughter and her granddaughter

Karen and Lee Duquette with their granddaughter, Kristen.

Below: Karen and Lee Duquette, a.k.a. The two RV Gypsies

Below: Then everyone decided to explore the outside area of the Mai-Kai Restaurant. What a wonderful, thoughtful family.

To see the video of the two RV Gypsies on stage at the Mai-Kai, use this link: Karen and Lee's 50th 2016-01-24-anniversary

The two RV Gypsies thank their daughter Renee and son-in -law John for this generous 50th Anniversary Party. Plus a big thank you to Chance and Brittny for the surprise cake. Since the two RV Gypsies met and married in Hawaii, this was the perfect setting and everything was absolutely amazing, and never to be forgotten.

The Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale

The two RV Gypsies celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at the Mai-Kai (this page)

St. Patrick's Celebrations and Karen Duquette's winning green costume

Karen Duquette won the Easter Bonnet contest, and later the family enjoyed an Easter picnic.

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