Hawaii in the 1950's
Like so many other places in the world, I wish I could have seen Hawaii in the 1950's. Servicemen returning from the Pacific after WWII helped spread the word about that tropical paradise, resulting in the proliferation of tiki bars and bright, colorful clothing. Also, every kid in America was wearing a coonskin cap and eating a big bowl of poi. We've all seen the photos.
This first photo shows the Princess Kailulani Hotel as seen from Kalakaua Avenue. This hotel was built by the Matson Line (famous for their island cruises), and it opened in 1955. At the time it was the tallest building in Hawaii at 11 stories. These days it is the Sheraton Kailulani Hotel - it has expanded considerably, but this building is still there. Notice the building to our left, with the "canoe prow" roof...
....Well in this photo, we can see the canoe prow(s) down below us, which means that this next view was taken from the Princess Kailulani Hotel, looking toward the venerable Royal Hawaiian Hotel... the "Pink Palace". This famous pink stucco edifice is one of the oldest hotels in Waikiki, opening in XXXC, and even today it is considered one of the most luxurious places to stay. Look at that blue, blue Pacific ocean, and the virtual forest of trees - how many of those have survived to this day?
17 comments:
Major-
Some pretty stunning images. They certainly beckon those of us on 'the mainland' to hop aboard a jet and head for our 50th state-!
In the first photo we can see a cream color, 1956 Buick, partially obscured by that couple. And on 'our' side of the street is a 1954 Ford, "woodie" station wagon - with overdrive. (In actuality, it used imitation mahogany panel decals, framed with real maple or birch trim). Then facing us on the other side of the street is a brown & white 1955 Chevrolet. And hey - there's even a green & white Volkswagon Microbus.
Aloha, Major.
Oh, and Major-
Shouldn't that date for the Royal Hawaiian be MCMXXVII -?
"PLEASE, pass the poi! PLEASE!"
I suddenly have the almost uncontrollable urge to run around telling people "Aloha" and to "Book 'em, Danno".
Mahalo, Major.
Nanook, there must be a way to make millions of dollars with all of that vintage car knowledge. I am partial to the cream colored Buick.
Nanook again, DOH! Oh well, I'm leaving it as is.
TokyoMagic!, the Flintstones were weird!
Scott Lane, you should DEFINITELY do that!
Chuck, you speak Klingon?!?
Ah,the Royal Hawaiian before they added the tower and the mall out front. It's still a wonderful place to stay (even the tower) but I sure wish I could've stayed there back in the day. Wonderful pics today, Major. Thanks.
American flag flying atop the Princess - Does that mean the photo was taken in 1959, or were the American flags flown in Hawaii before stetehood?
Anonymous, American flags were flown in Hawaii from 1898, when it first became a US Territory. Here's a photo of the first flag-raising over Iolani Palace during the formal ceremony of annexation on 12 Aug, 1898.
Kahunaskin caps, surely?
Pegleg Pete, I'm sure Hawaii is nice now, but MAN, I do wish I could have seen it the way it was in these pictures!
Anon, I see that Chuck has already answered your question, so read on.
Thanks, Chuck!
Melissa, yes, probably!
Droll, Major....very droll! Yes, the Flintstones were weird and remember, they were intended for adults originally. What's also weird is, that was my second Flintstones quote here within one week. I wasn't a huge fan, but I definitely watched it as a kid.
As long as there's a cave with Vincent Price in it, everything else is ok.
@Melissa
I loved when the Brady's went to the islands. Although it was kinda their "jumping the shark moment". After that it was back to the west coast and wait for cousin oliver to come and put the nail in the coffin to the show. Bobby should have listened to old mr hanalei and got rid of that tiki sooner, the show might have lasted another season.
Melissa & Alonzo, wasn't there also a tiki in that cave that Vincent Price referred to as, "Oliver"?
Yes, foreshadowing (harbinger)the fate of the Brady family. To say that little blonde cousin Oliver was the Sta-puffed marshmallow man (gozer the destructor) that would climb that suburban California house of the Brady clan and destroy them might be a little (marsh)mellow dramatic. But hey, it is Vincent Price, anything is possible.
I had a mai-tai at the Royal Hawaiian once. As close as I ever got.
Beautiful old pics, mahalo Major.
JG
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