In these dark and misty November days this travelogue on Hawaii shines from the C&F archives with its rich and vibrant 1960s colour stock. Not only does this travelogue highlight the traditional Polynesian culture of the island, with images of grass skirted and flower laden native Hawaiians canoeing down palm lined rivers, but it also shows the growing influence of American culture on the land both in city planning and the burgeoning tourist industry.
Jumping from a quiet river scene the film then shows a busy city center full of mid century architecture. The Ala Moana shopping centre, having only opened in 1959, gleams with newness and prosperity. This is followed by footage of even more recent additions to the state: Sea Life Park with its famous dolphin show and The Ilikai hotel, designed by the architect of the Seattle Space Needle, both of which opened in 1964. By 1967, around the time this film was made, Hawaii reached a milestone in its tourism welcoming 1,000,000 visitors that year. This film is not only a visual treat, but also encapsulates this golden moment in Hawaii's history.
