Beverly Hills in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Luau

Beverly Hills

— Golden Shield Commemorative Plaque —

The Luau Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 19, 2024

1. The Luau Marker

Inscription.
Beverly Hills' first Polynesian-themed restaurant was located on this site from 1936 to 1978. Originally called Sugie's Tropics after the owner Harry "Sugie" Sugarman, the founder of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was sold in 1953 and became famous for its kitschy, over-the-top dining experience. It was sold in 1978 and demolished a year later, making way for Beverly Hills' first, high-end outdoor shopping complex.

Erected by City of Beverly Hills. (Marker Number 13.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 34° 4.179′ N, 118° 24.214′ W. Marker is in Beverly Hills, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Rodeo Drive south of Santa Monica Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 431 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills CA 90210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of

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Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carroll and Company (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pioneer Hardware Store (about 400 feet away); Brighton Coffee Shop (about 500 feet away); Nate 'N Al (about 500 feet away); Hans Ohrt Lightweight Bicycles (about 500 feet away); Pixie Town (about 500 feet away); Anderton Court (about 600 feet away); Ah Fong's (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beverly Hills.

Regarding The Luau. From 1953 to 1978, The Luau at 421 North Rodeo Drive was the spot of choice by the Rat Pack and Hollywood in-crowd for kitschy revelry. The Luau occupied the former site of Sugie’s Tropics, which opened here on Thanksgiving day in 1936. Harry “Sugie” Sugarman was the theater
operator and managing director of Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. It was Sugarman who came up with the idea of the

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 19, 2024

2. The Luau Marker

The marker lays flat in the sidewalk.

Santa Claus Lane Parade down Hollywood Boulevard and who also founded the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Longing to get back to the entertainment field, he sold his Beverly Hills restaurant business to Steve Crane and silent partner Al Mathes in 1953.
The Luau, along with Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic’s, were Beverly Hills restaurants that established Polynesian cuisine in the Southland during the 1950s and 1960s. By the late 1970s, Polynesian restaurants were in decline and Tiki was considered tacky. In 1978, Crane sold The Luau for over $4 million and promptly retired. He successfully cashed in on America’s early Tiki craze for over twenty-five years and enjoyed doing it. The building with all of its South Sea Island décor was demolished a year later and was replaced with the “Rodeo Collection,” the City’s first high-end outdoor shopping complex.

courtesy Beverlyhills.org

3. The Luau

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 562 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on July 24, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.