From Our Files

May 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.

1949

“May Day in Hawaii means a thousand leis, warm hearts, the arched fires of rainbows and a Queen,” observes Paradise of the Pacific. For the Catholics in Honolulu, May Day—which fell on a Sunday—was a Pray Day rally. The 25,000 participants met in Thomas Square to honor the Virgin Mary “and offered prayers for the destruction of Communism, the conversion of Russia to Christianity, and for world peace,” writes Paradise. Similar rallies were held on the Neighbor Islands, as well as on the Mainland. Today, May Day is celebrated as Lei Day, with festivities at Kapiolani Park.

1979

HONOLULU Magazine takes a look into the life of then senator and chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Ben Cayetano. “Right now he’s the most promising politician in the state,” observes HONOLULU. As a Filipino from Kalihi, Cayetano defied odds running for the state House in 1974 in the Japanese-dominated district of Pearl City. He later became the second Filipino to serve in the Senate and the first from Oahu. In 1994, Cayetano was inaugurated as the fifth governor of Hawaii, serving until 2002. This year he released his autobiography, Ben A Memoir, from Street Kid to Governor.

1989

"Jonathon Tennyson is a man with a mission,” says HONOLULU Magazine. “The mission: to manufacture solar cars that are both affordable and reliable.” Tennyson was “designing and directing the construction of both a single-person and two-person commuter’ solar electric vehicle with freeway capability,” observes HONOLULU. The car’s success rides on its lightweight construction, aerodynamic form, a strong battery and powerful electric-motor technology and would sell for under $10,000 ($18,200 in 2009 dollars). Tennyson’s ambitions almost became a reality with the rise of electric/gas hybrid vehicles in the early 2000s.

This article appears in the May 2009 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.