Continuing with our semi-regular series of highly speculative entries on what would Barack Obama be doing in Hawaii, we'll take a trip into his past. The new Obama is a relatively straight shooter whose only vices are smoking (not in Hawaii, Barry) and controversial investment decisions. The old Obama clearly liked to party. After all, the man admitted that during his formative years in the islands as an adolescent he experimented in the usual contraband.

I can understand why. The 1970s were a swinging time in Honolulu as new hotel after new hotel shot up in Waikiki and a disco party-till-dawn ethos washed ashore from the Mainland. So flash forward to 2007 and where would the old, party hearty Barry be cruising for nightlife in contemporary Honolulu? Here are a couple of educated guesses. On Restaurant Row, the Ocean Club is a noted dance hall and pupu palace in favor with the young and restless. Ambiance is still somewhat trapped in the 70s. Perfecto! In Waikiki, two places that draw in both tourists and locals are Tiki's and Zanzibar (pictured above). The former is a kitschy cocktail Mecca chock full of frothing drinks named after volcanoes and lava and a castway bamboo and frond-heavy decor. The latter is the closest Hawaii gets to the old Studio 54 in New York City with deafening beats and a reall old school disco vibe. If Barry wanted to go grunge -- my sources tell me he hung out with all kinds of crowds -- then he probably cut a rug at Anna Banana's, a beat up juke joint in vogue with the hippy-crunchy music loving set and host to myriad musical acts ranging in style from full-on ska to blues to Grateful Dead tribute bands.

Related Posts: Obama Hawaii Travel Guide Part 1, Part 2

Image via Zanzibar

—Alex, 03/13/07