This untitled black-and-white, amateur-produced travelog film depicts the family vacation of an upper class American family to Hawaii. The film likely dates to 1937 as the producer of this film sailed on the S.S. Matsonia from San Francisco to Honolulu. Matsonia was a former World War I troopship that returned to its prior commercial function with the Matson Navigation Company in 1937. This film is part of a larger series of films from the same trip that begins in the Grand Canyon and ends in Honolulu. While the filmmaker behind this film remains unknown, it appears his family came to visit other family members were stationed at Fort Shafter and turned it into a vacation. More generally, the films offer interesting insights into the development of tourism in Hawaii which rapidly expanded during the 1920s and 30s. At this time there were a few hotels in Waikiki – the Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, and Halekulani Hotel – and Hawaiian music had piqued the interests of those on the “mainland” through popular radio shows such as Hawaii Calls. This particular installment features footage of important buildings and sites in Honolulu such as Waikiki Beach, Kawaiahaʻo Church, and Aliʻiōlani Hale amongst others. The film opens with a long segment of scenes along Waikiki Beach where the videographer’s mother frolics in the shallow waters. It is interesting to note that at this time both swimwear and beauty standards had begun to shift dramatically. As swimwear became more form fitting women were encouraged to be slimmer and exercise more. Additionally, being tan was no longer equated with the working class but rather of someone who had “holidayed.”
Text page that reads “Mother Would Aswimming Go” overlaid silhouette of palm trees framing ocean, swimmers standing by the coastline (0:08). Mother of cinematographer wears form fitting knitwear swim costume with “Royal Hawaiian” written across the front (this style of swimwear was typical of the 1930s) as well as swim cap as she walks along sandy beach towards water’s edge before wading in water (0:13-1:10). Shots of other swimmers, sunbathers along beach; Lounge chairs perhaps provided by the Royal Hawaiian Hotel set up in a row with corresponding umbrellas (1:12). Diamond Head (1:39). More footage of sunbathers, swimmers, mother frolicking in water and sunbathing on sands – various examples of popular and trendy swimsuits at the time (1:51). Two young men sit on wooden surfboard on shore (3:07). Group of people paddling out in Hawaiian outrigger canoe (wa’a) seen in distance (4:41). Hotel employee in white suit services hotel guests on the sandy beach (4:49). Perhaps mix of local and vacationing teenage boys where tiny board shorts, play ukulele, read newspaper and hang around beach (5:42). Kawaiahaʻo Church (7:25). Lunalilo Mausoleum – resting place of Hawaii’s sixth monarch King Lunalilo and his father Charles Kanaʻina on the ground of the Kawaiahaʻo Church (7:30). (7:39). Honolulu Hale (City Hall) building (7:53). Iolani Palace (8:19). HECO Hawaiian Electric at King and Merchant Streets (8:29). Aliʻiōlani Hale (Honolulu Judiciary Building) which currently houses Hawaii’s Supreme Court (8:39). Kamehameha I Statue, U.S. Capitol for Hawaii (9:00). Perhaps Japanese-American family visits the statue, mother wears traditional kimono kids and husband in “western dress” (9:08). King David Kalakaua Building (U.S. Post Office, Customhouse, and Courthouse) (9:38). Washington Place Palace – where Queen Liliʻuokalani was arrested during overthrow of Hawaiian Kingdom; Later official residence of governor of Hawaii. (10:27). Scenes from a local school – young girls and boys coyly wave and smile at camera during recess (11:02). Cars parked in front of Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin Buddhist temple (11:25). Commemoration plaque Kamehameha School for Boys class of 1894 class gift, dedication to Uldrick Thompson (11:34). Wild cacti plants (12:07). Cooke Hall library on Punahou School (Oahu College) campus (13:32). Mother of videographer now wearing strolling outfit walks along quiet road lined with plants before getting into Ford Model A vehicle, door held open by chauffeur in uniform (13:52). Film ends (15:04).
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