Yep, I think part of the appeal of the tropical kitsch vs. other types of kitsch is that tropical items have been abstracted into something like "hot weather accessories" and fit into any place that is hot, even if it's in the middle of the desert. Combined with the "escapist" vibe of Vegas, it makes sense why they would seem natural there.

They are because I think it is tied to pineapple plantations of Hawaii. Flamingos beat the heck out of me.

Pineapples are a part of the Queensland Economy too, so maybe you're right: Bananas, Pineapples, Palm trees and .. flamingos? We don't have flamingos. I haven't been in Maui since '94 but a small, very sad herd of flamingo were kept in the hotel pond, we were told they had to be fed beta carotene to keep the colour up, pink salty brine shrimp not being on-hand.

However I've seen pink plastic flamingo on sticks in Brisbane, alongside the inflatables