The Giant Tiki Has Risen!
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009For centuries people have wondered how the giant Moais from Eastern Island were moved about the island. This morning on 4th Ave. a few people witnessed how it would be done today. The 55,000-pound Tiki head from the closed Magic Carpet was today lifted from its resting place and placed on top of its new steel structural foundation.
The head, of what the Magic Carpet called Stone Face, was transported to the parking lot of The Hut on 4th Ave. & 8th St. December 23. It has been resting quietly there while the operators of The Hut raised the necessary funds to rebuild the steel base (to meet new City guidelines) and to pay the crane and construction costs. Totally they have committed over $60,000 to rescue this Tucson icon for future generations. The statue was originally created by the late Lee Koplin of Magic Carpet Golf fame in approximately 1971.

