While America’s fascination with Polynesian escapism had been growing slowly but surely during the interwar years, it wasn’t until after WWII that Tiki fever really gripped the nation from coast to coast. 

And it was largely due to the contributions of just two men.  Their adventures and stories stirred the imaginations of millions of people worldwide, and it is hard to believe that Polynesian Pop would have spread so quickly without them.

Click on the pictures below to discover their stories