In the late 1920's, Hawaii increased its efforts to promote tourism, the industry that would eventually dominate the development of the Islands. In Honolulu, on the beach at Waikiki, the Matson Navigation Company built the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (the Pink Palace of the Pacific) as a destination for the well-heeled clientele traveling on its cruise ships. Adventurous, fun-loving types flocked to Hawaii, discovering for themselves all the wonders this tropical paradise playground had to offer.

Passenger arrivals in Honolulu Harbor, dubbed "Boat Days", were lively celebrations that often involved the entire community, as many locals even left work early to take part in the event. The festivities included hula dancers, thousands of colorful streamers, and performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band, as the smell of fresh flower lei wafted through the entire harbor.

This image, stunningly recreated by Ricardo San Pedro, is a reproduction of one of those original ads issued in 1929 by the Hawaii Tourist Bureau.