Made in 1950, Highway to Hawaii is a terrific travelogue presented by United Airlines. After a detailed countdown and focusing leader, this film explores United Airlines’ new main line airway to the Hawaiian Islands, with DC-6 Mainliners making regular trips. This film offers gorgeous vintage views of antiquated airliners flying over the Golden Gate Bridge on their way across the Pacific, and the high quality of service that now seems extinct. We also see the old communications tools manned by operators and navigators. No computers, everything was done by radar, and at 18,000 feet.
First stop Honolulu, on Oahu Hawaii’s largest island. We can see various tourist activities and cultural items and songs for entertainment on Waikiki Beach. Of course, no film on Hawaiian beaches would be complete with surfers on large waves at Diamond Head (see 8:30- mark).
10:01 Beautiful native girl dances a traditional dance to traditional music.
Various tourists sites are explained and explored like the Upside Down Falls, and King Kamehameha’s victorious battle site. The lush green and agricultural villages of the other side of the island is also explored. Aloha week, which takes place in October is offered as an ideal time to visit the island so that visitors can take part in the traditional ceremonies of the ancient days. Luaus are with native food are offered and give visitors a taste of authenticity.
Foreigners attempting to eat with chopsticks and enjoying an informal evening on the porch. The racial blending of “non-Caucasians and intermarried brown faced children who are thoroughly American.”
The University of Hawaii is seen at the 16 minute mark.
16:50 The pineapple industry, a main Hawaiian export, is also explored. We see the harvesting and canning
18:00 We can see Pearl Harbor, the base and the U.S. Battleships
Travel between the islands on smaller United Airlines planes are also possible, and a cruise ship is seen departing to the mainland. Hawaiian Airlines DC-3s are seen at the 19:15 mark.
20:00 We see Kauai, the island explored by Captain Cooke, where vistors can visit Hawaii’s Grand Canyon Waimea Canyon.
21:20 The industry of agriculture is more thoroughly explored here where we see sugar cane fields being processed.
22:00 Trip continues to Maui, The Valley Isle, a land of high mountains, much quieter than the other islands where every luxury is offered in a land of tropical beauty. There are games and private beaches and the 10, 000 foot summit of Haleakala, where people can visit the dorman volcano’s crater and it’s caves.
Hawaii, the Big Island, is biggest of all the islands. Where gardens of gorgeous flowers can be enjoyed by visitors, including a giant fern forest. (26:00) Tourists visit the Kilauea crater, known as the home of Madam Pele, the Hawaiian Fire Goddess, also known as Halemaumau. This is an active volcanic site with tons of geologic activity. Kona Inn’s beauty is put on display as an inviting site for luxurious rela
27:10 Kona coffee, an industry owned and operated by Native Hawaiians, is showcased.
The rest of the film shows a culture where little has changed from the ancient practices while the natives let the white man worry about the troubled world while they enjoy their peace.
The End
