From Our Files

December archives

In 1888, King Kalakaua issued a royal charter, commissioning a magazine. Then titled Paradise of the Pacific, this publication became HONOLULU Magazine, making it the oldest magazine west of the Mississippi.
 

1923

Hawaii’s first hotel—commissioned by King Kamehameha V—the old Royal Hawaiian Hotel was “one of the coolest buildings in the city,” writes Paradise of the Pacific. In 1917, the Army and Navy YMCA took over the South Hotel Street building. It served as more than a social watering hole for the military, offering night classes, sports, concerts and living quarters for 500 sailors and soldiers. In 1928, the YMCA tore down the old Royal Hawaiian structure and replaced it with the concrete building that still stands. Today it houses the Hawaii State Art Museum.

1933

“There is something about deep-sea fishing that has no counterpart in any other sport,” writes Paradise of the Pacific. “As it must combine the exciting thrill of the contest with a fascinating study of the habits of the finny tribes.”  On July 21, 1933, F.A. Waldron of the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club set the world record with his black marlin swordfish, weighing 568 pounds and more than 12 feet long. He caught the swordfish off the Kona coast. The captain’s log notes that it was “the ‘powerfulest’ fish that swims.” The 99-year-old club operates in Kona.

 1948

Mainlanders traveling to the Islands now have the choice of four airports from which to fly out. Northwest Airlines could now fly passengers to Hawaii from Portland, Seattle or Tacoma (previously San Francisco was the only hub). “The new route ties together for the first time by air two great trade, commercial and vacation areas,” observes Paradise of the Pacific. Flights from the Mainland to Oahu took up to 12 hours, and tickets were $150 one way ($1,300 in 2008 dollars). Northwest, which merged with Delta Air Lines this year, continues to fly from the West Coast to Oahu for around $500 roundtrip.