This past Saturday night was the 70's Nightclub Reunion V dance at the Ala Moana Hotel.  Another sold out show.  Rob Kimura of Greenwood and Candy Au of the Ala Moana Hotel did another bang up job to allow us MLCers relive our youth - even if only for 1 night.

The night started early for me, Paula, opso, Rod's Big Bro, NKHEA, and IKHEA.  We met early, joined by BananaFysh and walked on over to Kiki's to get "primed" for the big night.  Unfortunately, BananaFysh had a previous engagement and couldn't join us for the big dance, but the warm up party was fun with his company.

As 7:30 rolled around, we made our way to the Ala Moana Hotel where the MLCers were arriving, waiting to boogie down.

The night started off with Greenwood.  They were solid!

Tiny introduces Greenwood!

Next up was New Experience.  Lots for "funk" to dance to.

Then there was an important announcement that was made.  Since us MLCers are not getting any younger - we didn't want to wait another whole year for the next 70's Nightclub Reunion dance.  Tiny called up a special guest to make this important announcement.

Does this guy look familiar?  That's Roy Yonashiro from Natural High.  Maybe you remember those day as Hula Hut, dancing into the wee hours of the morning.  Well, on Aug. 1, 2009 - Natural High makes their comeback debut at 70's Nightclub Reunion VI.  Yes!  We don't have to wait another whole year.  Natural High!  Can't wait to hear Roy sing EW&F's "Reasons".

Next up - White Light with their full horn section.  Joy and company did a super job.  Again.

4th band up Power Point!  Last night I remembered something about Power Point from when they used to play at The Point After - each song went from one right into the next one.  Hard to get off the dance floor as the music just kept on pumping.  Here, Tiny introduces Power Point.

And the night wrapped up with headliner: Ashberry.  Honestly, I never heard Ashberry until last night.  Whoa.  They play some get-down music.  Their last song took me back.  Take a listen to the song.

This song takes you back, doesn't it?

Lots of big names in the house too!

Yup, that's mayor Mufi.

Besides the mayor, also seen making the rounds were Tony Ruivivar of S.O.S. as well as Richard Natto of S.O.S. LV.  Guy Hagi and wife Kim Gennaula.  And of course, Roy Yonashiro of Natural High.  As well as a few of the old Point After waitresses.  Check out Kim Gennaula, dressed for the event:

And nothing would be complete without some MLCer pictures.

NKHEA and IKHEA get down!

NKHEA was jubilant after the announcement was made that the Aug. 1 show line up will be:
Greenwood
Asian Blend
Glass Candle
Power Point
Natural High

It was quite a night to remember.  The old songs.  The big brass sections.  The overflowing dance floor.  A chance for us to relive the memories.  Again, a big thanks to Rob Kimura of Greenwood and Candy Au of the Ala Moana Hotel for making this all possible.  And to all the bands, willing to come together to make this happen.

Here's one final picture for my MLC readers.

Photo courtesy of Eileen Lee and the 70's Nightclub Reunion web site.

For more pictures, be sure to check out the 70's Nightclub Reunion web site.
*Pictures are being updated daily.

When I hear the words car hop, the first place that pops into mind is KC Drive Inn.  If you're an Oahu baby boomer, I'm sure you've been to KC Drive Inn at least once.  Originally located where Kalakaua and Ala Wai boulevard meet up (where the Waikiki Gateway Hotel now stands), KC Drive Inn later moved to the top of Kapahulu avenue.

KC Drive Inn had the most stalls of other car hop drive inns in town.  Remember the sign instructing you to turn on your parking lights for service - and not to beep your horn!  The old ladies with their all white uniforms used to come out to take your order.  Were there some young girls working car hop too?  Maybe college students working their way through college.

It was so cozy.  Your girl sitting next to you on your front bench seat ("cut seat" for you Maui folks, "broke seat" for you Kauai folks).  Eating in your car, listening to your favorite 8-track or cassette tapes or even KPOI or KKUA radio.  When your order came, you'd have to roll up your window just a bit so they could hang the tray off your window.  The pits was when it began to rain because you couldn't roll your window up!  And your food would get all soggy and cold if you didn't bring it in.  Remember in those days, cars didn't have drink holders.   Mmmm, I can taste the waffle dogs and ono-ono shakes.

Another drive inn that I've never visited, but my brother told me that they had car hop service was Alex Drive Inn on the corner of Kaimuki Ave. and Kapahulu Ave.  Anyone been there?

How about Likelike Drive Inn - before they renovated the building?  They had car hop service there too.  Just a few stalls on the Rycroft street side.  I remember my friend telling me never order saimin at a car hop place.  The bowl it too hot to hold!  I think he ate it by leaving it on the tray and sticking his head out the window with each bite.

Those days of car hop service in Honolulu are long gone.  *sigh*

But several years ago we were able to take our 2 daughters to a car hop joint in Las Vegas.  Las Vegas?  Yes, at Sonic Burger!  But we didn't eat in the car.  Actually, we were Sonic virgins and didn't know the drill so we did a drive by, parked on the side and observed first.  If you've never been to a Sonic Burger, they have a few options.  They have a drive through, a seating area in the center patio, and car hop.  Each individual stall has it's own menu board and speaker.  You order when you're ready and the wait help comes out on, get this, skates!  They bring your tray up to your window - just like old times.  What a flashback!  But we decided to eat in the outdoor patio area (after we figured out there was no indoor place to eat).  Must've looked like n00bs walking up to the in/out door to the kitchen and looking in.  There is a walk up menu board on the patio where we placed our order, then sat down and waited for the rollerskating wait help to bring us our order.

So the next time you're in Las Vegas and want to "flashback", visit a Sonic Burger.

Do you remember eating at KC Drive Inn, or Alex Drive Inn, or Likelike Drive Inn?  What do your remember about car hops?  Are there other drive inns that you recall having car hop service?  If someone were to open up a retro drive inn and offer car hop service, do you think it'd be successful in Hawaii?