Savage Renewal: Paradise of the Pacific Magazine - Collecting Tiki

M MrBaliHai Tiki Socialite Behind the Cheddar Curtain Joined: Jun 01, 2002 Posts: 1031	M MrBaliHai Posted posted on Sun, Apr 30, 2006 7:51 PM Yesterday afternoon, I found the July and August, 1956 and June, 1957 issues of Paradise of the Pacific Magazine buried in a dusty pile of travel periodicals at a local antique mall. I was initially attracted to these magazines for their great graphic design sensibility, gorgeous island photography, and advertisments from classic tiki establishments known and loved here on T.C.. As I read them more closely, I was surprised to discover the depth of respect and knowledge of Hawaiian traditions on display within the pages of each issue. Clearly, this was more than just some throwaway rag for tourists. I did a bit of googling, and it turns out that Paradise in the Pacific is one of the longest-running periodicals in the U.S. and according to the website of Honolulu Magazine, it was chartered by royal decree: "In 1888, when Hawai'i was still a monarchy, King Kalakaua commissioned a magazine under royal charter to be Hawai'i's ambassador to the world. That magazine was Paradise of the Pacific. For nearly a century, Paradise of the Pacific promoted local business and tourism by assuring citizens of the United States that the Islands were civilized. In 1966, Paradise of the Pacific became Honolulu Magazine and shifted focus dramatically. No longer would it be Hawai'i's ambassador to the outside world. Instead, it became a magazine by and for the people of the Islands." Here's the cover of the July, 1956 issue. The artwork is by George Logue: This page shows ads for Trader Vic's and Don the Beachcomber, among others: The "People In Paradise" section of the magazine has Hollywood stars like Dick Powell, Robert Mitchum, Spencer Tracy, and Joan Collins getting lei'd at the airport: The beautiful map in this advertisement graces the back cover of every issue: Cover of the June, 1957 issue: Article on the history of King Kamehameha Day. Note the tikis in the top lithograph: Article on the "new" International Marketplace development: History of the Ukulele: Cover of the August, 1957 issue: A recipe for Pupus (as the article helpfully explains, "pronounced, 'poo-poos'"): You can view more scans from Paradise of the Pacific, along with pages from a 1966 hotel guide called Here's Hawaii, in my Vintage Hawaiiana gallery. Enjoy!

Yesterday afternoon, I found the July and August, 1956 and June, 1957 issues of Paradise of the Pacific Magazine buried in a dusty pile of travel periodicals at a local antique mall. I was initially attracted to these magazines for their great graphic design sensibility, gorgeous island photography, and advertisments from classic tiki establishments known and loved here on T.C.. As I read them more closely, I was surprised to discover the depth of respect and knowledge of Hawaiian traditions on display within the pages of each issue. Clearly, this was more than just some throwaway rag for tourists.

I did a bit of googling, and it turns out that Paradise in the Pacific is one of the longest-running periodicals in the U.S. and according to the website of Honolulu Magazine, it was chartered by royal decree:

"In 1888, when Hawai'i was still a monarchy, King Kalakaua commissioned a magazine under royal charter to be Hawai'i's ambassador to the world. That magazine was Paradise of the Pacific. For nearly a century, Paradise of the Pacific promoted local business and tourism by assuring citizens of the United States that the Islands were civilized. In 1966, Paradise of the Pacific became Honolulu Magazine and shifted focus dramatically. No longer would it be Hawai'i's ambassador to the outside world. Instead, it became a magazine by and for the people of the Islands."

Here's the cover of the July, 1956 issue. The artwork is by George Logue:

This page shows ads for Trader Vic's and Don the Beachcomber, among others:

The "People In Paradise" section of the magazine has Hollywood stars like Dick Powell, Robert Mitchum, Spencer Tracy, and Joan Collins getting lei'd at the airport: