This B&W film WINGS TO HAWAII was produced by MPO Productions, predates August 21, 1959 as it refers to Hawaii as a territory (12:39). The film opens with tourists receiving leis around their necks. Under a banyan tree on Waikiki, people watch a band and hula dancer being filmed for the TV show “Hawaii Calls” (1:02-1:30). Others dance at the Royal Hawaiian with Diamond Head as their background (1:36). Horseback riders descend to the floor of Haleakala (house of the sun), a dormant volcano on Maui on whose sides the rare silversword grows (3:12-4:35). On the Big Island, Kilavea is an active volcano, from which steam pits still bubble (5:23) and lava runs down the mountains (5:56).

Preparations for a luau include gathering seaweed and collecting opihi, which are tiny oysters (6:55); spear fishing squid (7:31); roasting a pig (7:35); opening coconuts (7:40); and gathering taro to make poi (7:42). Palm leaves are placed on the ground to make a table, upon which the food is spread (8:05). Ukuleles (9:49) and a hula dancer entertain. A complete hula is danced by a young woman to the rhythm of chants and drums (10:35-11:31). Activities include swimming in long waterfalls (11:26). Ferns (11:36) and orchids (12:09) abound. Island industries include sugarcane, which involves setting fire to the field to clear the underbrush before cutting (13:25-13:42). Pineapple is also cultivated by hand (14:02). Ranchers, called paniolo, brand cattle (14:13). Fish are caught by a hukilau, a community fishing party (15:16).Hawaii is made up of many cultures, including the Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Filipinos (17:10). A man from Samoa entertains by twirling a long razor-sharp blade (17:39). The film ends on the water (18:27-20:00). People on a catamaran enjoy the splash of the waves. A group of long canoes are paddled in a race against multiple surfers.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com