Ok, the 2 founders of Tiki culture were Victor Louis Bereron of Oakland, CA (Trader Vics) and Donn Beach of Hollywood: both started up during the 1930s. Victor’s parents owned a small grocery store in Oakland: he opened up his bar across the street. Donn grew up in Louisiana and spent a little time in Polynesia as a Supercargo employee, if you believe him.
I ate at Trader Vic’s in NYC as a kid and loved it. I had no inkling that the cultural authenticity of the restaurant was nil.