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.

Passengers would arrive laden down with their steamer trunks and servants, and they eagerly embraced all the new customs and activities unique to the islands. This extravagant means of travel continued up until the 1950's when the advent of jet airliners opened up the islands to the "common folk".

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