I've blogged about La Mariana before and noted that it was up for sale. A week or so ago the owner, Annette Nahinu, passed away before she could pass the property on. It's now owned by the La Mariana Yacht Club, which was actually the name of the restaurant (it was an appendage of a real live, semi-derelict, Margaritaville boatie club). My advice. Hightail it to Honolulu (near Honolulu International Airport), hotfoot it to Sand Island and have a last drink or three at this magical place full of glass fishing balls, tiki ornaments, high-backed wicker chairs and other sundry tropical impossible. Nahinu actually assembled the decor by buying up the remnants of other Hawaii bars as they went out of business. Aloha, Annette. Thanks for the memories and the many, many fine days of company.

—Alex, 08/03/08