From Our Files: Moments from Hawai‘i’s Past–November Edition

A look back at Honolulu from November 1917 to 1987. Stories taken from the archives of Paradise of the Pacific and HONOLULU Magazine.

OUR HISTORY

In 1888, King Kalākaua 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.

1917

During World War I, the U.S. military operates in Hawai‘i. Paradise of the Pacific says, “Honolulu, although 2,000 miles from San Francisco, in mid-Pacific, is full of the spirit of ‘making the world free for democracy.’”

1922

“To bring the mainlander here under the misapprehension of perpetual hulas and a primitive and risqué existence is but to disappoint him.”

1947

​Hawai‘i marks its first Aloha Week. The celebration follows a chronological sequence of the history of Hawai‘i and takes place in a Hawaiian village built at Ala Moana park. Paradise of the Pacific says, “The village this year consisted of only a few thatched huts, but plans have been made for the erection of a complete and authentic village for next year’s Aloha Week.”    

1952

In its Holiday Annual, Paradise of the Pacific lauds the Waikīkī beachboys, including Curly, Steamboat, Chick, Splash, Panama and, of course, Duke Kahanamoku. “A beachboy is in a class by himself,” Paradise writes. “Possessing the qualifications of a water sport enthusiast, an instructor and a good-will ambassador—all rolled into one, he is ready to show the tourist the time of his life.”

1977

Maui plans to build the first whale sanctuary after observing harassment during the latest whale-watching season. “Five years ago, the humpbacks were all but ignored off Maui,” says HONOLULU. “Now, they will soon be protected in their own special reserve.

1982

It seems as though mess hall chefs do not have time to debone enough chickens for large dinners, writes HONOLULU. So, they are now firing hundreds of deceased chickens into jet engines to test aircraft programs. HONOLULU says, “The Air Force and NASA have come up with the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone.”

1987

Reader Douglas Yanagihara subscribed to HONOLULU for the first time last month, expecting to receive the Centennial Issue. Instead, due to computer error, 119 copies—216 pounds of HONOLULU—are delivered to his house.

1922	1947	2002

Learn more about the evolution of covers in HONOLULU Magazine and Paradise of the Pacific: 125 Years of Covers, available at shop.honolulumagazine.com.

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