"An architectural expert is making the case that this bar - where rain falls every 20 minutes - should be preserved as "the best example of the Polynesian Pop style ever built in San Francisco." It's not just retro kitsch, it's "the most ambitious and best preserved of the Tiki bars remaining in California."" - Mike Doeff from Bookmarklet

Enjoyed that article too. King asks all the right questions while being appropriately reticent about advancing any particular vision of what is and is not historically significant. I would miss the Tonga Room, somewhat, but find it hard to get behind mandating its preservation through governmental protection. - Chester

Thanks for posting this - the question about preservation occurred to me when I heard they are going condo, but I also doubt the Tonga Room merits such protection - reverse-eminent-domain if you will. - Richard pancakhaus Walker