Vintage Hawaii Map Tablecoth and Scarf - 1950s Hawaiiana

In keeping with my obsessions about maps and Hawaii, I recently came across a couple 1950s pieces that have maps of Hawaii printed on textiles, which for me is kind of like hitting the trifecta.

First up is a printed cotton tablecloth that depicts the Dole map of the Hawaiian Islands from around 1950 or so.  The Dole Food Company was a leading producer of pineapple in Hawaii and in 1937 commissioned a map of the islands from Parker Edwards.  

Similar to Ruth Taylor White's pictorial maps from earlier in the decade (read more about those in my post here ), Edwards used small drawings to indicate major points of interest on each island.

You can just see the same boat with fishermen off the west coast of Oahu on both the Edwards map and the tablecloth.

Edwards' map is framed by bands of indigenous flowers and fish, which is turned into a decorative border on the tablecloth.

This type of printed tablecloth was popular throughout the 1930s, '40s and '50s.  Judging from the two-color printing this one is probably from the 1950s (the 'Remember Pearl Harbor' clearly indicates that it is at least post-1941).  There was a 1950 version of the Dole map done by Joseph Feher, but this piece seems to adhere to the earlier version.

Another similar printed map can be found on this scarf, which could be tied over the shoulders. 

Each corner has a decorative scene that would show well when folded on the diagonal.

Like the tablecloth, this scarf is printed in two colors on cotton, albeit a lighter weight fabric. This type of souvenir scarf was very collectible in the 1950s. 

I'm always looking for more fun Hawaiiana from the first half of the 20th century--be in touch if you have any items you think might be of interest!

Georgia O'Keeffe and Hana, Maui - Koki Beach

O'Keeffe in Hana, 1939.  Source: Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

I recently spent some time in Hana, Maui, and learned that American artist Georgia O'Keeffe visited the area in the 1930s.  Although she is closely identified with the desert of New Mexico, O'Keeffe painted several canvases of the striking tropical scenery of Hawaii.

“Black Lava Bridge, Hana Coast No. 1,” 1939, by Georgia O'Keeffe. Source: NYT

O'Keeffe was commissioned by the Hawaiian Pineapple Company (later Dole) to create images to be used in their advertisements.  In early 1939, she traveled by steamer to Honolulu and spent two months in the islands.  In Hana, she stayed with the Jennings family, who owned the local sugar plantation, and their young daughter, Patricia, showed O'Keeffe the sights.   Patricia Jennings later wrote a book describing her adventures with the artist.

Lava bridge from Koki beach.

One of the sites they visited was the lava arch visible from Koki beach.  Judging from the photograph, O'Keeffe and Jennings were on the bluff a bit closer than Koki beach, but there is currently no public access there (I hear Oprah Winfrey owns that land?).

Ka Iwi O Pele to the right--you can just see tiny people at the base of the hill.  The lava arch is out in the distance.

Koki is a noted spot in Hawaiian mythology.  Pele, the goddess of fire, was killed by her sister and Pele's bones are said to form the red cinder hill at the north end of the beach (called Ka Iwi O Pele).  Her spirit then fled to the Big Island and took up residence in the Kilauea volcano.

O'Keeffe visited other sites in Hana that I recognized--part of the Jennings' home has been incorporated into the Travaasa Hana Hotel and she went to see a movie in the building that now houses the Hasegawa General Store.

Also on O'Keeffe's tour of Hana was Wai'anapanapa, with its black sand beach and jagged black cliffs. 

Black sand beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park

Cliffs and blowhole at Wai'anapanapa State Park

After she returned from the islands, O'Keeffe exhibited at least 20 paintings with Hawaiian subjects.  Hana yielded the starkest of the images, but others included lush tropical flowers, the I'ao Valley and coiled fishing lines.  It took some time, but O'Keeffe finished her works for the firm that sent her to Hawaii and her painting of a spiky pineapple plant, among others, was used in an advertisement. 

Dole ad, 1939, with O'Keeffe pineapple painting.

Several of O'Keeffe's Hawaiian paintings are in the collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art and will travel to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum for an exhibition titled Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams: The Hawai'i Pictures, which runs through September 14, 2014.  For more info click here.

For more info, see this article in the New York Times.

Unless noted, all photos are ©Jeni Sandberg.

Historic Churches of Maui, Hawai'i

Huialoha Congregational Church, near Kaupo, first built c. 1859

Once in a while, I have to brush off that fancy degree I got in architectural history and pay a little attention to some buildings instead of the stuff that goes in them.  On a recent trip to Maui I was fascinated by many of the churches and other religious buildings found there.  

Ke'anae Congregational Church, begun c. 1860

In the 19th century Hawai'i was a magnet for American missionaries set on converting the natives to Christianity.  From the 1820s, members of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions sent numerous ministers and their wives to the islands to spread the good word and build houses of worship.  The missionaries were not architects and the results were pretty much boxes with steeples, built from local materials. 

Wānanalua Congregational Church, Hana, 19th century

Often their efforts look like they could be lifted from a small town in New England, which was probably exactly what they wanted. 

Ka'ahumanu Church, Wailuku, 1876

Ka'ahumanu Church clock tower

So many churches (and buildings in general) suffer from the harsh effects of the elements in Hawai'i.  The salty air and humidity corrode everything, plants and insects eat away at building materials and seek to return them to the jungle.  As a result, it is not unusual for a church to have been rebuilt, in part or in whole, over the years, much as many Japanese pagodas have been reconstructed.  The Huialoha church has had substantial repairs and you can see the corrosion and peeling paint on the tower at Ka'ahumanu (which is on the National Register of Historic Places, so it is definitely looked after).  

Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Kula, 1894

How cute is this little church?  Built in 1894, the Holy Ghost Church is upcountry in Kula (hey Oprah!) and very unusual for its octagonal plan--rare to find this shape in any building let alone a Catholic church, which generally favored cruciform plans to facilitate the liturgy.  And the interior is charmingly pink!

Interior of Holy Ghost

Christianity definitely took hold in the islands and my impression is that many here are very religious (indeed, it feels a lot like the South in some ways--very strong Christian community, and if you weren't born here, you aren't from here!).  Lots of smaller denominations, revivals in tents and many religious shows on tv. 

Apostolic Faith Church, Lahaina, circa 1960 (?)

The big neon sign on the top of this building announces the main concern of the faithful at this local church in Lahaina.  The Apostolic Faith Church was founded in 1923 by missionaries and now has its headquarters in Honolulu and branches on neighbor islands. 

Prayer requests in Hana

When driving through Hana one evening, there were some lovely people waving at passing motorists and taking drive-by prayer requests.  A pick up (the local car of choice) would slow down and the driver would say something like, 'Pray for my mother-in-law, she has diabetes and she's not doing so well.'  The people holding signs would promise to pray for her, exchange 'God bless you's and shakas (local hand signal) and off the car would drive.  I'm not religious at all, but it seemed so nice and friendly, such a sweet way for ohana (family, community) to stay connected in the very small town of Hana.  

I am forced to leave aside any mention of native Hawaiian religious architecture, mainly because I’m an idiot and left going to see the huge, 14th-century Pi’ilanihale heiau until my last day on Maui, then made the mistake of going after the botanical garden closed at 2pm.  And temples and shrines of all sorts.  Next time…

Memorial Day - World War II Sweetheart Mementos: Frames, Jewelry and Souvenirs

World War II reverse-painted glass frame

One of my favorite recent purchases is a small reverse-painted glass photo frame.  It dates to the 1940s and says ‘Remember Me’.  The photo, with hand-painted details, depicts a young man in a naval uniform.

Photo from inside the frame above

When removed from the frame you can see that he is wearing a flower lei, holding a ukulele, and standing before a grass hut--all indicative that this was shot in Hawaii, where the US had several naval bases, and sent home to a sweetheart or family member.

A pin with pendant frame by Coro, from SoCalJewelBox

Small frames like this one were one of many souvenirs and mementos given during World War II to help loved ones remember each other while separated.  Jewelry and other trinkets could help ease the anxiety of separation and give tangible proof of sentiment.  Military and patriotic motifs, lockets, frames and forget-me-nots were all popular for these tokens of affection.

Set of rayon handkerchiefs

I’m a little obsessed with Hawaii, so I’m especially taken with wartime souvenirs from the islands.  Hawaii had long captured popular imagination as a tropical paradise, but the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought it to the forefront of the world scene.  The events of December 7th became the rallying point that pushed the US into World War II and Hawaii became the gateway to the Pacific theater.  Thousands of military men and women sent home all manner of souvenirs from jewelry to postcards, maps and dolls.  ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ pins, hula ‘nodders’ and aloha shirts all found their way back to the mainland.

'Mother' locket pin from 52ndstreetvintage

Aside from Hawaiian items, women on the home front might wear a pin that declared their status as a mother or sweetheart of a serviceman, with lockets and frames being especially useful for pictures.

Allies pin by Coro from NoItAll.  The letters refer to the American, British, Chinese and Dutch alliance during World War II.

Flags have always been a patriotic symbol and during war time they were even more popular.  Military emblems and motifs for different branches of the military, bullets, torpedos and planes all found their way into jewelry and other items.

Mexican silver forget-me-not bracelet with Army emblem, from SoCalJewelBox.  Each of the links could be engraved with a loved one's name.

Forget-me-nots are also found in jewelry, and sometimes the small, five-petaled flower is a subtle love token--not everyone speaks the language of flowers. 

Small pocket mirrors for photo booth pictures

Most of these souvenirs were fairly inexpensive and made in large numbers, but they are getting harder to find today, especially in good condition.

Air Corps silver charm from CuriosityShopper

Trifari airplane pin from JackpotJen

Patriotic frame