1930s HONOLULU, HAWAII TRIP HOME MOVIE WAIKIKI, SURFING, U.S. ARMY FORT SHAFTER (REEL 9) 59484

This untitled black-and-white home-style travelog film depicts the family vacation of an upper class family to Hawaii. The film likely dates to 1937 as the cameraman 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 in Arizona and ends in Honolulu. While the filmmaker behind this film remains unknown, it appears his family came to visit other family members 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 peaked the interests of those on the "mainland" through popular radio shows such as Hawaii Calls. This particular installment features footage around Waikiki including surfers along Waikiki Beach, a fruit plantation, and important business establishments in Waikiki from Gump’s to Lau Yee Chai Chinese restaurant. The film ends with scenes around Fort Shafter as a relative of the filmmaker engages in preparations for a review at the base.
Text page that reads “Hawkshaw Gathers Coconuts” overlaid silhouette of palm trees framing ocean, swimmers standing by the coastline (0:08). Young limber man, perhaps hotel employee, climbs trunk of tall palm tree and throws down fresh coconuts; Performs stunts on way down like hanging upside-down (0:13). Diamond Head in background, surfers paddle out to catch waves off Waikiki Beach; Mother of videographer takes surf lessons (1:39). Mother and surf instructor paddle close to camera, crew of young men in Hawaiian outrigger canoe (wa'a) row past; Moana Surfside Hotel seen in background (2:59). Scenes from around rural fruit plantation, workers wear wide brim hats to protect from the sun, grass thatched hut and well on property (3:03). Traffic officer stands under umbrella with manual “stop and go” sign rather than traffic lights on busy street in downtown Honolulu (5:44). Different businesses around Waikiki: Lau Yee Chai (translates to ‘House of Abundance’) Restaurant built in 1929 by Chong Pang Yat; Elaborate, classical Chinese architecture attracted tourists from mainland (5:57). The Walsh Shop (6:33). “Gump’s treasure house of the Pacific” - Across from Royal Hawaiian, artwork, antiques, jewelry and furnishings from around the world were sold there (6:37). Bird scurries across grass, camera zooms into details of palm tree (6:54). Woman, perhaps wife of videographer, walks among palm trees on hotel grounds and waves at camera, she wears typical 1930s-era dress, pearls, and sun hat (8:03). Young, local man in board shorts and cap plays ukulele while dancing some hula moves for perhaps father of videographer wearing contrasting full linen suit (8:35). Bouquets of flowers blow in wind on balcony ledge of hotel room (9:30). Preparations for formal review at Fort Shafter; marching band sets up, anti-aircraft guns are prepped for display (10:03). Mr. Benedict poses in Marine Crops Dress White uniform in front of residential home on Fort Shafter (11:26). More preparations for formal review at Fort Shafter (11:35). Margaret Ann Benedict pulls father in uniform by the hand towards rest of her family observing from under a tall palm tree (12:40). Film ends (13:10).

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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

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