1930s HONOLULU, HAWAII TRIP HOME MOVIE HONOLULU KILAUEA HILO OAHU WAIKIKI (REEL 2) 59454

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 circa 193. This film is part of a larger series of films from the same trip that begins in the Grand Canyon and ends in Honolulu. The cinematographer of this film sailed on the S.S. Matsonia from San Francisco to Honolulu, a former World War I troopship that returned to its prior commercial function with the Matson Navigation Company in 1937. 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 piqued the interests of those on the “mainland“ through popular radio shows such as Hawaii Calls. This particular installment features footage around the islands of Oahu and Big Island from Hilo to Honolulu including Waikiki Beach, Laie Hawaii Mormon Temple, and the historic Volcano House Inn. It is interesting to note that the Laie Hawaii Mormon Temple was the first temple built by the LDS Church outside of the contiguous United States and dates back to 1915. Text page that reads “Volcano House” overlaid silhouette of palm trees framing ocean, swimmers standing by the coastline (0:08). Camera pans grounds, exterior of Volcano House Inn Hotel at the summit of Kīlauea - hotel dates to 1846 but structure shown in film dates to 1891 and was known as “the Victorian Addition” (0:12). Text page that reads “Rainbow Falls, Hilo” (0:36). Rainbow Falls: The Wailuku River rushes into a large pool below (0:40). Vegetation, forest surrounding the waterfall (1:43). Hilo Wharf with fishing boats and fish market (1:59). Faces of locals hanging around the wharf, perhaps of Japanese, Chinese, Polynesian origins (2:35). Ducks feed off bread in river at perhaps Wailoa River State Recreation Area; visitors walk over pedestrian bridge, school-aged boys coyly walk past camera (3:04). Camera pans as water crashes against rocky shoreline (3:55). Text page reads “Youthful Hula Dancers Honolulu” (4:19). Young girls wear traditional straw skirts, flower leis and perform hula dance in middle of grassy area lined with palm trees (4:23). In distance photographer seen arranging and posing hula dancers for a group photograph (5:49). Text page reads “Mormon Temple, Oahu” (6:28). View of Laie Hawaii Temple from outside of compound gates, land features manicured gardens and lush palm trees (6:32). Hay roof hut on property of perhaps school, school-aged children, teachers, parents seen standing around the property and perhaps posing for school photos (6:54). Text page that reads “Waikiki Beach” (7:41). Camera pans coastline of Waikiki Beach: young man naps in sand beside traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe (waʻa), tourists and sunbathers line the sand under colorful umbrellas (7:48). Diamond Head seen in distance down coast (8:40). Film ends (9:05). We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.“ 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