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UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313n61-4700 800/521-0600 ------ -- ------- --- --- THE DEVELOPMENT OF WAIKIKI, 1900-1949: THE FORMATIVE PERIOD OF AN AMERICAN RESORT PARADISE A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN AMERICAN STUDIES MAY 1996 By Masakazu Ejiri Dissertation Committee: Floyd Matson, Chairperson James McCutcheon Richard Rapson Katharine Tehranian Duane Preble UM~ Number: 9629821 Co~rright 1996 by EJ ri, Masakazu All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9629821 Copyright 1996, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 111 © Copyright 1996 by Masakazu Ejiri IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my thanks to the persons who have especially assisted me in completing this dissertation. My first debt of gratitude must be expressed to my chairperson, Floyd Matson, for his thoughtful suggestions and .warm encouragement. His rich knowledge of the subject and his intriguing experiences in the Waikiki environment always made me feel the sense of the place and the time, which led to an in-depth examination of the environmental history. He also spent a substantial amount of time editing the final draft. James McCutcheon provided me with insightful and timely advice based on a different perspective of the interpretation of Waikiki's landscape. His critical comments clearly helped me sharpen my ideas and to solidify the dissertation. It was Richard Rapson who strongly supported my thesis and scholarly achievement, and above all, encouraged me to pursue a Ph. D. Without his stimulating advice, I would not have pursued an academic career. Katharine Tehranian's help with landscape study was invaluable, as was her suggestion to use maps and photographs, which greatly enhanced the interest of this dissertation. She also gave me a tremendous opportunity to make a presentation of the study in her undergraduate class, which certainly boosted my confidence in taking the oral defense. My outside member, Duane Preble spent a great amount of time in reading the draft thoroughly and in detail. From a different viewpoint, he provided me with an opportunity to strengthen my argument and to reorganize the structure. I am truly grateful for the suggestions I received from my v committee, and I attempted to incorporate them into the dissertation as much as possible. A debt of gratitude also goes to David Bertelson who kindly attended my oral defense and provided supportive comments and suggestions. Throughout the graduate process, he was ever solicitous and helped me to pursue my goal. I wish to thank Margaret DuFon, who read and edited the final draft thoroughly and patiently. As an expert on second language learning, she precisely corrected typical problems experienced by a Japanese writer of English. Sally Serafim of University of Hawaii Press and Gaylord Wilcox of Editions Limited also deserve special thanks for their permission to use photographs and maps from their publications. Finally, I would like to express my profound appreciation for the contributions of the late Professor Reuel Denney, who initially helped me establish my concept of a resort paradise and continuously provided me with elaborate and insightful suggestions. Without his warm encouragement and timely advice, this study would not have been completed. Although the dissertation does not contain his signature, it surely conveys his creative spirit and inspiration. vi ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine the historical development of Waikiki from 1900 to 1949, and the decisive transformation of its environment from a primarily agricultural land to a resort area. By analyzing the changing landscape of Waikiki, this study will explore the images and movements behind the scenes and beneath the surface, and correlate these developments with evolving economic, social, and cultural values. The methodological approach taken in this project is that of a landscape study. The dissertation examines Waikiki's landscape as a cultural text and attempts to discover an integrated meaning of the particular landscape consisting of physical (human-made and natural environments) and mental (myths, images, and memories) elements. This study focuses upon the paradisal myth and its influence upon the formation of Waikiki's character in the first half of the 20th century. Myth is a cultural creation based upon collective human desires and emotions which can be interwoven with reality. It exerts a tremendous influence upon social actuality. The central thesis is that Waikiki's changing landscape from 1900 and 1949 reflects the formation of the American idea of a resort paradise. There are five major points in this concept. First, a. resort paradise is a temporary retreat shielded from daily life and free from the constraints, pressures, and monotony of civilized society. Second, the transient retreat is located in the "middle ground" incorporating the positive elements of wilderness and of civilization. One would hope to attain both spiritual contentment in vii magnificent nature and modern comfort in convenient facilities. Third, in such an idyllic refuge, one would enjoy a life of leisure without toil. Fourth, the time of leisure in the ideal setting provides mental and physical rejuvenation, and intellectual and artistic stimulation for the visitor. Finally, a resort paradise serves as an alternative to the Earthly Paradise which was believed in the age of exploration to have existed in the South Seas. It offers a dreamy, mythical experience to fulfill humankind's quest of paradise in the secular world. Prior to 1950, Waikiki retained these qualities of a resort paradise, serving primarily the affluent, privileged class. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements i v Abstract vi List of Figures x Chapter I: Introduction 1 Chapter II: Place and Concept 20 Definition of Waikiki 20 The Paradisal Myth 3 1 American Resorts 5 1 Chapter III: Foundations of A Resort Paradise 7 5 The Resort and Kapiolani Park 8 0 Architectural Development and Victorian Mansions 89 Chapter IV: Literary Guides 11 5 Mark Twain 1 15 Robert Louis Stevenson 126 Jack London 134 Chapter V: The Physical Landscape of Waikiki: 1900-1919 147 The Moana Hotel and the Rise of Resort Development 148 The Outrigger Canoe Club and Hawaiian Royal Sports 16 1 Factors of Physical Change 169 Chapter VI: Early Mythmaking 178 Beachboys 17 8 Duke Kahanamoku 18 5 Johnny Noble 192 "Hawaii Calls" 20 1 Chapter VII: A Resort Paradise for the Elite 207 A Paradise for the Elite 207 Reactions to Development 223 Chapter VIII: The Physical Landscape of Waikiki: 1920-1949 234 The Construction of the Ala Wai Canal 234 The Royal Hawaiian Hotel and the Emergence of a World Class Resort 2 5 1 Factors of Physical Change 268 ix Chapter IX: Continuous Mythmaking 2 8 4 The Hawaii Tourist Bureau 2 8 4 Harry Owens 2 9 6 Hollywood 309 Don Blanding 3 2 2 Chapter X: A Resort Paradise for the Upper Middle Class 343 A Paradise for the Upper Middle Class 3 4 3 Reactions to Development 3 6 I The Planning of Waikiki 3 7 6 Chapter XI: Conclusion 3 8 9 Appendix: Coda 407 References 4 10 x LIST OF FIGURES Figures 1. Map of Waikiki Drawn by M. D. Monsarrat. July 10 1897 76 2. Diamond Head and the Royal Helumoua Coconut Grove in the 1870s 77 3. The James B. Castle Residence 9 9 4. The William G. Irwin Residence 101 5. The Moana Hotel 15 0 6. Main Building, Halekulani Hotel in 1930 159 7. Kalakaua Avenue, circa 1920 23 5 8. Ala Wai Canal, circa 1930 245 9. Reclaimed Land in 1933 24 7 10. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in 1933 25 2 11. Portion of Honolulu, H. T 3 7 8 12. Proposed Street Plan, Waikiki Improvement District.. 3 80 13. Reclaimed Land in 1936 3 8 1 1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION The VIew of Waikiki from offshore provides a snapshot of a unique and delicately balanced environment. To the east is Diamond Head, a universal symbol which readily identifies Waikiki. Along with the symbolic land form, the vast greenery of Kapiolani Park occupies the eastern side of the landscape. In the foreground, the beautiful white sand beach extends over a distance of two miles. In the background, the Koolau mountain ridges overshadow the tranquil Manoa Valley. To the west, the beautifully landscaped Magic Island of Ala Moana Park borders the populous community of Honolulu.