From Our Files

August 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.

1934

“President Franklin D. Roosevelt, wearing his famous smile, came to Hawaii, saw Hawaii and went away saying aloha to Hawaii’s people,” writes Paradise of the Pacific.  The president made his debut in the Islands, first landing in Kona. The next day, the USS Houston, with the then-president aboard, pulled into Hilo Harbor. There, Roosevelt learned about the Kilauea volcano at the Hawaii National Park. The following day, he arrived at Honolulu Harbor “to be greeted by the greatest throng that has ever assembled in the vicinity of the Honolulu waterfront,” before taking a drive, including past the magazine’s then office.

1949

Oahu gears up for the Trans-Pacific Yacht race. The 2,225 nautical mile race, held every other year, has started from various places— San Francisco, San Pedro and Santa Barbara—but has always ended at the Diamond Head buoy finish line. The first race was held in 1906. “The Trans-Pacific race is an institution in the Islands, one reason why thousands of residents and visitors turn out to watch the finish; another is the excitement and spectacular beauty of the sight,” observes Paradise. The 2009 race took place in June from Los Angeles to Honolulu, with yachts from more than five countries competing. 

1989

HONOLULU takes a look at the phenomenon of wallabies in Hawaii. The wallabies came to call Kalihi Valley home in 1916, thanks to animal collector Ellis S. Joseph. A private developer purchased Joseph’s two adult wallabies and a joey. Not having cages for the animals, he penned them in a tent. Dogs attacked the tent, and while the joey was killed, the adults fled into the mountains. Until 1993, when funding was cut, researchers and the Department of Land and Natural Resources tracked, tagged and monitored the burgeoning community of 100 wallabies. There have been a few sightings and it is believed that the wallabies still exist today.