Big White Fleet Visits W aikiki - 1908 (Concluded)

OFFICERS ENTERTAIN That evening was one of interest and pleasure. We had met many young la­ dies and we threw a party for them in the Wisconsin Junior Officers’ Mess. I’ll never forget the feminine shriek that came from pretty lips as one of our guests bumped her head into a hammocked Edwin North McClellan, who has written bluejacket swinging just outside the this article, has a background of unusual mess-room entrance. experience. He circled tbe globe with tbe big white fleet in 1908 and visited many Next day, in obedience to orders, I times and is now a resident. Retired Lt. Colonel of tbe Marine Corps, and historian, went out to Pearl Harbor (Wai Momi) editor, writer and traveller, he is presently by the OR&L and returned by automo­ Dean of radio commentators in Hawaii. bile. We took a ride in one of the battle­ ship steamers to be "sold” on the Pearl keepers, John Walker and Clifford Kim­ Harbor idea by the Pearl Harbor Sub- ball. Committee of the Fleet Entertainment Society turned out in its fullest Committee. After steaming around the strength, on the evening of July 20th, to Lochs we landed on the Peninsula where honor the enlisted men of the Fleet at a a fine recreation hall — resplendent with Ball staged at the Moana Hotel, Seaside Hawaiian decorations and bunting—had Hotel and Outrigger Canoe Club, in a been erected. Long" tables tastefully ar­ duplication of the Ball and Reception ranged a la luau was loaded with lots of given to the Officers on the 17th. Music food including chowder (but no roast was furnished by the Kaai Glee Club, dog) that satisfied our hunger. It was on Fleet First Division Band, and other mu­ that day that I saw Ford Island or Mo- sical organizations. Walter F. Dillingham kuum eum e for the first time. I also heard was in charge of this very interesting so­ stories of kahunas and legendary heroes, cial affair. of beautiful heroines of ancient Hawaii, I again got out to Waikiki on the late and of Kaahupahau, the blonde Shark- morning of the 21st for my last swim and Queen of Oahu, whose cave-castle was in enjoyment of Outrigger Canoe Club cor­ Puuloa or Pearl Harbor. Yes, tales of the dial courtesy. Luncheon at the Moana menehunes, too, were told us. Hawaiian Hotel and back to the Wisconsin. T hat hospitality at Pearl Harbor that day was afternoon we said a regretful parting- unsurpassable. Then, back to town. aloha to the many friends we had made POLO MATCHES in Honolulu, at the grand gala reception Next morning I read in the newspa­ given by Admiral Sperry to the public pers that while we were out at Pearl Har­ aboard his Flagship Connecticut along­ bor the Kauai Polo Team had defeated side the Oceanic Dock. Then, back to Oahu by the very large score of to 1. our ship where we junior officers threw Oahu (Blue and White) was represented our last party in Honolulu in the Steer­ by Walter F. Dillingham, George Angus, age Mess Room to our many Honolulu J. F. Fleming and G. P. Dennison, while friends. the Kauai (Red and White) team was DANCING AT ROYAL formed of Arthur Rice, J. Malina, Chas. Some of us, after dinner, took in the A. Rice and C. A. Dole. T he referee was dance on the lanais of the Royal Ha­ Frank Baldwin; goal judges were Harold waiian Hotel on Hotel Street to the mu­ Castle and Worth Aiken; and the time­ sic of Ernest Kaai’s Orchestra. There were

till fireworks that evening and the Fleet gave a sensational illumination picture as the ship-profiles were outlined in electric lights—a fiery revelation. We crawled Compliments of into our bunks early on the morn of July 22d. I recall that our mascot cub-bear (which had been presented to us at Se­ BEVERLY MANAGEMENT attle) startled me as I entered my state­ room, when it scuttled off my bunk. CORP. We did many things and heard of many things which I have not mentioned. Bryson Apartment-Hotel (stay with ui while in ); Roxbury East and TRANS-PACIFIC YACHT RACES West Apartments, Culver Hotel (rate* We saw the finish of the Second Trans- $2.50 and up); California Country Club; Pacific Yacht Race which was started by Westside Tennis Club, et al, projects of Teddy Roosevelt by signal in California the Beverly Management Corporation, and ended at Diamond Head July 19-20. Bo Chr. Roos. T he Lurline won, followed by Gwendo­ lyn II, Lady Maud, and Hawaii. We vis­ 400 No. Camden Drive ited the Hawaiian Opera Company, the Orpheum and Midway Theatres. We saw Beverly Hills, California the Archives and heard of the Bishop Museum. We walked by Washington Bo Chr. Roos, President CR 1-5611 Place where former Queen Liliuokalani lived. We felt the sadness of the Hawai­ ian people over the death of one of their last aliis — Prince Kawananakoa at San Miki Saito (Japanese Consul at Hono­ Francisco, and our friends described to lulu) published in The Star words of the us the magnificent funeral of the Prince "traditional friendship between on June 21st after his body had laid in and her first and greatest friend, the state at Iolani Palace. People were still .” Civic and religious or­ talking of the nomination of William ganizations of men and women of Japa­ Jennings Bryan as presidential candidate nese ancestry expressed similar friend­ of the Democrats. “Link” McCandless ship. However, strange as it seems, Con­ was the "new Moses” of the local Demo­ sul Miki Saito departed from Hawaii the crats. Joseph J. Fern was Mayor of Ho­ following month, being succeeded by S. nolulu and his office was in either the Uyeno. McIntyre Building at King and Fort O ur glorious visit to Hawaii was ended Streets or at the mauka-ewa corner of and, of all the joys and fun I experi­ Alakea and King Streets. We heard of enced, the greatest were those when the the hukilau but saw none. However, I Outrigger Canoe Club was my host. We saw women wearing holokus but no mu- steamed away from Honolulu on July urnuus. Of course we saw Punchbowl, 22, 1908, and my last view of Oahu that Tantalus and Roundtop. Liquid sun­ meant most to me was of Waikiki Beach. shine was an occasional visitor during our stay. M. Nunes still was manufac­ turing ukeles which he reportedly had ENTERTAIN AT YOUR CLUB invented in 1879. e A TOURIST BUREAU LUNCHEON The Promotion Committee (forerun- e *ner of our old Tourist, and present Visi­ DINNERS tors Bureau) with its Secretary H. P. e Wood, was very active. Japan was angry COCKTAILS over the Panama Canal and there was e talk of the Fleet having been sent out by BEACH SPORTS the President as a warning to Japan, yet [ 12]