Is this cultural appropriation?

Question

We just put a pool in our backyard and we’re trying to create I nice hangout area for ourselves and when friends and family come over. I had a idea and was super excited to do it but when I told my friend my idea she said that is culture appropriation. I wanted to create a tiki bar / tiki themed area near the pool. Here are some pictures on what I had in mind.

Is your opinion would this be cultural appropriation? 
My favorite part was the tikis themselves. I even found a guy near me who hand carves them and sells them to make a living. I was going to have him make them for me.

Answer

I am not a Pacific Islander but I would think many have been displeased how portions of sacred traditions have been twisted as a fun drinking or party theme.

Answer

Yeah, no. My husband is from Aotearoa, and can confirm that this is not only cultural appropriation, but also enormously offensive. Tiki aren't silly faces used for decoration. They're a rich and respected way of passing stories from one generation to the next in Maori and Polynesian culture. What you're proposing would - to most in the South Pacific - be seen as incredibly racist. You might as well throw up a totem pole or perform a minstrel show while you're at it.

Answer

It’s not my culture so I spent some time googling. Like roughly 30 seconds.

“Colonial nostalgia” is such a great quote.

Answer

Create your beautiful tiki bar!!! This is cultural ADMIRATION!!! Live your life with the beautiful bar you want to! Are you deliberately attempting to disrespect Hawaiian culture-no. Go for it and live your life without the fear of offending everyone

Answer

If you have to ask, there’s your answer. Yes, this is cultural appropriation. There’s a million other outdoor pool bar ideas and you CHOOSE to decorate your home with someone’s cultural for aesthetics. If my white or black friends had a cantina in the back of their home, I’d call them out on it. You can admire and appreciate something without having to distastefully rip it off.  
Also, I read somewhere that the reason people appropriate another cultures is because they have none of their own…. Might want to reflect on that.

Answer

I’m gonna defer to Pacific Islanders, but for me, it seems problematic.
I think if you want to go for an island vibe, grass huts, coconuts, etc, that’s alright.  But the tikis are an important part of Pacific Islander culture and heritage, so using that doesn’t seem ok to me. 
Again, though, I defer to Pacific Islanders.

Answer

I would just do it. Id decorate with whatever I liked 🤷

Answer

I think I would do something like the last picture without the artwork. I would just leave it plain or colored therefore I could have a tiki bar, but nothing additional really cultural.

Answer

I’m not sure… its admiration sure, but I don’t think I would do this

Answer

No it’s not cultural appropriation. Just how if I want braids I will get them—- it’s called admiring culture and having fun with it yourself. People are too sensitive and butthurt these days over everything. Drink some Henny grow some hair on your chest and toughen the hell up 👏🏻 😃

Is this cultural appropriation?

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