HOME MOVIES: 1930s HONOLULU, HAWAII TRIP

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1937

Format: 16mm

Description: This untitled black-and-white home-style travelog film depicts the family vacation of an upper class family to Hawaii. The film likely dates to 1937 as the producer of this film sailed on the S.S. Matsonia from San Francisco to Honolulu, a former World War I troopship that returned to its prior commercial function with the Matson Navigation Company in 1937. This film is part of a larger series of films from the same trip that begins in the Grand Canyon and ends in Honolulu. While the filmmaker behind this film remains unknown, it appears his family came to visit other family members stationed at Fort Shafter and turned it into a vacation. More generally, the films offer interesting insights into the development of tourism in Hawaii which rapidly expanded during the 1920s and 30s. At this time there were a few hotels in Waikiki - the Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, and Halekulani Hotel - and Hawaiian music had piqued the interests of those on the "mainland" through popular radio shows such as Hawaii Calls. This particular installment features footage around Oahu taking the viewer along to Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, and Honolulu’s bustling Chinatown. Text page that reads "Pearl Harbor" overlaid silhouette of palm trees framing ocean, swimmers standing by the coastline (0:08). 1930s United States Navy ships docked at Pearl Harbor (0:13). Man in uniform marches for camera (1:53). Sunbathers, swimmers along Waikiki Oceanfront (2:07). Text page that reads "Concert in Coconut Grove" (which likely refers to an area in Waikiki called Helumoa located besides the Royal Hawaiian Hotel) (3:48). Live band performs for guests sitting at different tables in outdoor grove area shaded by tall palm trees (3:53). Elephant seen roaming around forested area of tall palm trees; elephant scratches itself on bark of tree (5:00). Plastic chairs and table set up under grass-roofed wall less hut with views of ocean, Diamond Head - woman and man in military uniform sit in hut before exploring the surrounding grounds (6:02). The pair marvel at and pick coconuts growing from palm tree (7:22). Trees of perhaps some sort of fruit orchard sway in strong winds (8:11). Sign for Halekulani Hotel, camera then pans residential streets of neighborhood surrounding hotel entrance, Ford Model A parked along street (8:42). Close-up face of local man wearing 1930s style straw boater hat, suit, and smoking cigar as he poses for camera along busy commercial street (10:06). Establishments around Honolulu’s Chinatown: Wo Fat Chop Sui (Suey) House - successful Chinese Restaurant in Honolulu opened 1937 (10:18). Wing Chong Lung Co. (10:29). Sukiyaki (10:38). U. Fujii Groceries (10:48). Musa-Shiya Shirt and Kimono Maker (11:00). Decorative signs with beautiful perhaps Kanji calligraphy (11:22). Y. Sato Watch Maker (11:38). Aisho Printing Co. Ltd. with sign featuring Japanese Characters "Kanji" (11:51). Chow Me Fat & Co plant nursery (12:04). Film ends (12:29).

Complete Record: This untitled black-and-white home-style travelog film depicts the family vacation of an upper class family to Hawaii. The film likely dates to 1937 as the producer of this film sailed on the S.S. Matsonia from San Francisco to Honolulu, a former World War I troopship that returned to its prior commercial function with the Matson Navigation Company in 1937. This film is part of a larger series of films from the same trip that begins in the Grand Canyon and ends in Honolulu. While the filmmaker behind this film remains unknown, it appears his family came to visit other family members stationed at Fort Shafter and turned it into a vacation. More generally, the films offer interesting insights into the development of tourism in Hawaii which rapidly expanded during the 1920s and 30s. At this time there were a few hotels in Waikiki - the Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, and Halekulani Hotel - and Hawaiian music had piqued the interests of those on the "mainland" through popular radio shows such as Hawaii Calls. This particular installment features footage around Oahu taking the viewer along to Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, and Honolulu’s bustling Chinatown. Text page that reads "Pearl Harbor" overlaid silhouette of palm trees framing ocean, swimmers standing by the coastline (0:08). 1930s United States Navy ships docked at Pearl Harbor (0:13). Man in uniform marches for camera (1:53). Sunbathers, swimmers along Waikiki Oceanfront (2:07). Text page that reads "Concert in Coconut Grove" (which likely refers to an area in Waikiki called Helumoa located besides the Royal Hawaiian Hotel) (3:48). Live band performs for guests sitting at different tables in outdoor grove area shaded by tall palm trees (3:53). Elephant seen roaming around forested area of tall palm trees; elephant scratches itself on bark of tree (5:00). Plastic chairs and table set up under grass-roofed wall less hut with views of ocean, Diamond Head - woman and man in military uniform sit in hut before exploring the surrounding grounds (6:02). The pair marvel at and pick coconuts growing from palm tree (7:22). Trees of perhaps some sort of fruit orchard sway in strong winds (8:11). Sign for Halekulani Hotel, camera then pans residential streets of neighborhood surrounding hotel entrance, Ford Model A parked along street (8:42). Close-up face of local man wearing 1930s style straw boater hat, suit, and smoking cigar as he poses for camera along busy commercial street (10:06). Establishments around Honolulu’s Chinatown: Wo Fat Chop Sui (Suey) House - successful Chinese Restaurant in Honolulu opened 1937 (10:18). Wing Chong Lung Co. (10:29). Sukiyaki (10:38). U. Fujii Groceries (10:48). Musa-Shiya Shirt and Kimono Maker (11:00). Decorative signs with beautiful perhaps Kanji calligraphy (11:22). Y. Sato Watch Maker (11:38). Aisho Printing Co. Ltd. with sign featuring Japanese Characters "Kanji" (11:51). Chow Me Fat & Co plant nursery (12:04). Film ends (12:29).