It was one of the most anticipated entries into the food truck scene last summer, and we were excited to document Owner Danny Webb’s journey with getting the Menehune Tiki Bus on the road last May. But the tiki gods seemed to have cursed the Menehune Tiki Bus, as it lead a cursed life, with multiple delays in getting it up and operational. It finally launched last June, then had to cancel multiple events as they’d get one problem fixed and another would pop up. Propane, generator and air conditioning issues all seemed to plague the bus, but when it was operational, it was a huge hit with the crowds.
Back in August Danny posted this about an accident he had in the double decker bus:
While driving it to Greenville this morning to deliver it to my mechanic for some minor work, while in a driving rain, a deer ran out in front of me. I swerved to avoid hitting it and lost control of the bus. I ran off of the road, nearly hitting a power pole and wound up in a bean field about 100 feet off of the road. During the process, the bus ran over a berm in the ditch and actually got some air time. Before coming to a stop in the beans the bus nearly rolled over. The bus sustained severe body damage on the lower level but is mostly confined to fiberglass and diamond plate panels which are easily repairable. However, because of the rough ride that it took, frame damage is possible. Plus, the three window posts on the front upper level all broke so there must have been some major league twisting of the frame. I’m lucky that it didn’t roll and that I didn’t get injured other than a little neck strain. I’m not sure what this means for the future of the Menehune Tiki Bus, just yet. We’ll let the mechanics and the insurance company sort it out for now. Mahalo nui loa! Thank you very much!
Earlier this week he posted this update, announcing the demise of the Tiki Food Truck:
The Menehune Tiki Bus is no more. After nearly five months following the accident, the bus has been totaled by the insurance company and we have received our settlement check. The bus has been purchased for parting out by my mechanic in Greenville. Food truck people interested in new, barely used kitchen equipment can contact me by personal message and I’ll give you the contact info. Karen and I have been on an emotional roller coaster since the accident, trying to decide if we want to procure another bus and try again. At our ages, I don’t think that we are up for another 1 year + adventure of this type. We are simply going to pay our bills, cut our losses, lick our wounds and move on. Besides, I believe that the Tiki Gods don’t want us in this business! We are very appreciative of the enthusiasm and support that we have received from community over the past 1 1/2 years. Mahalo Nui Loa!
Thanks to Danny and Karen for sharing their journey with us so honestly through their facebook page and good luck on the next chapter of your journey.
