Beginning on November 1, 2024, which is the date of my mother’s first letter from her Hawaii trip 84 years ago, I am serializing day by day, the book, Cecilia King’s Extraordinary Senior Trip, which you can obtain from Amazon in either Kindle or paperback.

I hope you enjoy the upcoming nine-months in Hawaii 1940-41. You can order the entire book from Amazon in either paperback or Kindle format, click here.

Honolulu, Friday February 7, 1941

Friday morning

Felt just as if I’d had a big weekend Wed & yesterday – went out to Scofield Wed. night with George & his date & another couple (being a fifth is always fun!) and got there about thirty minutes late for dinner – Max was waiting for me at Mary’s & we rushed over to the club where we had a table with Walt & Mary on the lanai.

Had the Hawaiian band (one we had that night at Doles) that couldn’t play one American piece so dancing was rather limited. And the floor show (substituted one hour in advance) was lousy – so after shivering through a piece of it we went into the bar & danced to the beetle organ.[1] The usual mob of stag bachelors kept things going beautifully –

Spent the night with Mary & had lunch with her & Col. McDonald yesterday. Max decided to come to town so I came in with him – stopping down at DeRussy for a coke, but found it deserted so hurried on. The final boxing matches were on last night at Schofield so I decided to go back for them, so quick changed the clothes in my bag & we headed Schofield way again. I dressed at Mary’s & wore the green wool & plaid skirt – when Co. McDonald saw it he nearly burst exclaiming over it (he’s a Scotsman --- & the bright plaid & colors really caught his eye). Honestly, he is the grandest person -- & having four daughters of his own, likes girls anyway & knows them.

Max, Bob Hand & I had dinner at the club then went to the boxing bowl -- & by some miraculous event, managed to get front seats. Every one of the fights were good &, of course, the two championship ones were wonderful. They were over about 10:30 --- so after coffee at Kemoos we started home in Bob’s car. I was so completely exhausted that it really felt good to be home to stay a little while & relax. Almost wish I didn’t have this Sat Sun date with max – it’s too much to be with someone – too much candy is sickening. And I’m always so awfully tired after these Schofield weekends –

Editor’s Note: Competitive athletics in the pre-WWII Army in Hawaii were big, and the biggest of all were boxing matches, called “smokers. ”In the book, and later the movie "From Here to Eternity," the character most prominently associated with "smoker" is Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt, played by Burt Lancaster. In 1941, bugler and career soldier Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt, who was once a professional boxer, transfers from Fort Shafter to a rifle company at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu. Captain Dana "Dynamite" Holmes wants him on his regimental boxing team, but Prewitt refuses absolutely, with no further explanation. Consequently, Holmes makes Prewitt's life miserable and ultimately orders First Sergeant Milton Warden to prepare a court-martial. Warden suggests doubling Prewitt's company punishment as an alternative. Prewitt is hazed by the other NCOs and is supported only by his close friend, Private Angelo Maggio.