At the 01:58 time code mark, the camera operator is on the then relatively new finger pier (another one was constructed later just before WW2 so this film footage was probably shot in 1939 or early 1940) and is facing east while filming the Submarine Base pier sentry. Just above the sentry's head is the then newly constructed COMSUBPAC Barracks Building (specifically it's west wing); a 4 story U-shaped building, which is still the largest building at the Pearl Harbor Submarine Base. In the 1930's and into WW2, it was used to house the enlisted submarine crews. The ground floor of the east wing now houses the large Silver Dolphin Bistro cafeteria that serves the best food in the service = Navy chow. The Cocoanut Grove; which closed down during WW2, according to my almost 90 year old neighbor. He says that it was located at the site of the present day Colony Surf Condominiums, just west of Diamond Head. At the 06:00 time code mark, that movie footage appears to be shot at the then Bellows Field (now Bellows Air Force Station) on the windward side of O'ahu. At the 08:47 time code mark, Waikiki Beach's beachfront Halekulani Hotel probably cost $55 per night for 2 people (very expensive in 1937) ; however, it now costs 10 times more per night = $566 per night. The Wo Fat Chop Sui House in Chinatown, brand new in 1937 on the ground floor of the Wo Fat Building and seen at the 10:20 time code mark, was open for almost 83 years, until it temporarily closed in the spring of 2019 for the building's complete renovation. Of course, during the renovation the COVID-19 Pandemic had to be "put on hold indefinitely", and the owner's son and daughter decided to close the chop suey restaurant down forever. The space is for lease now.
So hard to watch. Waikiki was so beautiful before all the high rise buildings moved in. It should have been a big national park. Too late now, all because of money. Thank you so much for sharing. 😊
I constantly hear the whining, "Oh, I wish we could go back to the old days." Which, BTW, is the same refrain you hear wherever you go. It is interesting to look at Waikiki from 1937. Sorry all you old timers, Waikiki is a lot nicer now than it was then--and it was just as crowded then.
I lived on O’ahu for ten years and wish I was still there. So beautiful.. so perfect. Love to see any film of Hawai’i nei.
Wow, those were the day’s !
Wow, imagine if we still had some of those car’s !
I live near HNL now, found this very interesting. Thanks!
At the 01:58 time code mark, the camera operator is on the then relatively new finger pier (another one was constructed later just before WW2 so this film footage was probably shot in 1939 or early 1940) and is facing east while filming the Submarine Base pier sentry. Just above the sentry's head is the then newly constructed COMSUBPAC Barracks Building (specifically it's west wing); a 4 story U-shaped building, which is still the largest building at the Pearl Harbor Submarine Base. In the 1930's and into WW2, it was used to house the enlisted submarine crews. The ground floor of the east wing now houses the large Silver Dolphin Bistro cafeteria that serves the best food in the service = Navy chow. The Cocoanut Grove; which closed down during WW2, according to my almost 90 year old neighbor. He says that it was located at the site of the present day Colony Surf Condominiums, just west of Diamond Head. At the 06:00 time code mark, that movie footage appears to be shot at the then Bellows Field (now Bellows Air Force Station) on the windward side of O'ahu. At the 08:47 time code mark, Waikiki Beach's beachfront Halekulani Hotel probably cost $55 per night for 2 people (very expensive in 1937) ; however, it now costs 10 times more per night = $566 per night. The Wo Fat Chop Sui House in Chinatown, brand new in 1937 on the ground floor of the Wo Fat Building and seen at the 10:20 time code mark, was open for almost 83 years, until it temporarily closed in the spring of 2019 for the building's complete renovation. Of course, during the renovation the COVID-19 Pandemic had to be "put on hold indefinitely", and the owner's son and daughter decided to close the chop suey restaurant down forever. The space is for lease now.
So hard to watch. Waikiki was so beautiful before all the high rise buildings moved in. It should have been a big national park. Too late now, all because of money. Thank you so much for sharing. 😊
I agree with you, paradise lost. Thanks for your comment.
They destroyed the uninterrupted view of Diamond Head. Fools.
Yes, Democrats ruined everything in Hawaii
Good choice on the fairly appropriate music.
Great music !
Kept Diamond Head hidden behind a grass hut and otherwise out of sight.
And we thought it was deserted in 1970.
I constantly hear the whining, "Oh, I wish we could go back to the old days." Which, BTW, is the same refrain you hear wherever you go. It is interesting to look at Waikiki from 1937. Sorry all you old timers, Waikiki is a lot nicer now than it was then--and it was just as crowded then.
interesting
Poor Hawaii!
And now at here…
Didn't know elephants were native to Hawaii!
Elephant are *not native to Hawaii!