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.

Friday morning --

Had the nicest party last night – we all met in a little Hawaiian Room at the Pacific Club (Col. & Mrs. Dunlop – niece & husband Cal & Mrs. Rice, -- guests of honor, the Millers, -- Bob & me.) It was informal, & my white crepe sailor looked quite pert. The club is a gigantic white three-story building – once a residence – so the story goes, when the husband became “family angry” he climbed up into the tall tower built for that purpose, pulled the ladder up after him, & refused to speak to the “wifey” for days.

Out of the Hawaiian Room with its bamboo furniture and hand blocked draperies into the Library and Lobby – high ceilings, very dignified white & blue wall paper, thick carpets to the walls – into the Dining Room, a semicircle of windows. Had an excellent chicken dinner. – After coffee we walked around the grounds, & swimming pool. The Millers are leaving tomorrow & had never been to Trader Vics’s, so insisted that they take over the party from there. So we settled down in a little back room – our long table under a light outrigger canoe hung from the ceiling – braided palm leaf walls -- & the Samoan tapa cloth with its brown prints. Mr. Miller ordered the best champagne in the house, and spare ribs (served as “nibblers” and eaten finger style – they even make finger licking legal – dunked in soy sauce or horseradish – delicious!)

Then we went down to the Millers beach cottage – to say a last Aloha to them – they sail today for Louisville, Ky. He’s about 70 years old, fat jolly, red cheeks & white mustache – she a perky old lady is a sassy veil & flower hat. Bob & I were to go to the boat – but he couldn’t get off work.

Last night was one of those silver and blue Hawaiian nights with a full moon playing on the water and palm trees – lovely! But most awe inspiring was the huge white cross, high on Punchbowl Crater –- seen by all Honolulu for the Easter season. Two Army searchlights crossed their rays on it – and beyond, on low hanging clouds was the light, with the dark shadow of the cross in the sky. If you can imagine – high in the night sky, a circle of light with a dark cross on it!

Back to the news of the week form Tues. – That night Bob & I had dinner at Pauls, then went to see “goodbye Mr. Chips” – enjoyed it immensely – though Bob was in a stew for fear they have an alert at DeRussy as he had heard via grapevine they might. But the blackout didn’t happen -- & they’re still waiting.

Wednesday Mandy Allison picked me up and we went out to Hickam for lunch at her house. All their new quarters have little palm leaf shelters in back gardens or courts – with “hickis” (big square “divans”), electricity, speaking tubes to the house, quiet nice.

Mandy’s father just promoted to a general officer – they are so afraid they’ll be sent to the mainland now. After lunch Mandy & I explored tennis courts – finally came into town & got to play one set at DeRussy – then went down to the Pavilion Club – the terrific & chilly wind soon ran us home.

I’m so excited about the trip to Hawaii we’re planning – Mandy, Babe Herman, Bunt Slauson, a navy wife, Mrs Ryan & I. We leave the 12th of May, spend a day at Maui, then to Hawaii – or two weeks – should be loads of fun. I’m going to check up & clean up my wardrobe to see if I need anything else.

Wednesday night max had dinner here & we went down to DeRussy to dance – met the usual four or five couples there. Dunlop wanted me to go out to the cabaret at Sch. But called after I’d made the other date. Gen. Cummings invited me to his birthday party last night but no could do. They’re having a repeat of the cabaret the 30th & Max & I are going.

I was so glad to see your clipper letter – I enjoyed immensely hearing about the Chicago trip – it must have been interesting.

About coming home – the trip to Hawaii May 12th for two weeks “sorta” takes up May – so guess I’d better wait until Junish or later – don’t you think?

I’ve priced lauhala mats 85 cents per. (Haven’t gotten glass holder pries yet). There are cheaper one at the Jap bazaar but of much coarser material & not so durable or attractive. And I can get the glass balls for Mrs. Garrett if she’ll tell me size, color etc. Light blue is more common & cheaper – though green & red can be had at a price. And – my biggest problem – where shall I put all this? With all the extra clothes & big hat, fiddle, tennis racquet, shoes I shudder to even think of packing.

If you’ll tell me how many lauhala mats you want -- & if any. how many glass pauties – think I’ll have these sent from Liberty House.

Aunt Susan just suggested I freight a box of clothes & incidentals home – think that’s what I’ll have to do.

Bob Dunlop just called -- & we’re going out to Schofield tonight to have dinner with his family, so guess I’d better dig in my closet & get a evening dress pressed quick like. May wear the new black & white, but sorta wanted to save it for the party tomorrow night.

Since this letter missed this Friday’s boat – I’ll send a clipper one Tuesday.

Bob & I are going to sunrise services Easter morning up on Punchbowl, I think – though we may decide to wait & go to 11:00 o’clock service at St. Andrews.

Wish I could be with you all Easter – but feel this is second best.

Hope you aren’t upset about anything I wrote about Susan’s and my little _werliwords because we get along beautifully six days out of seven -- & that’s a good percentage. And she really does want me to stay until there’s some particular reason for coming home. And, of course, I’m loving every second of it – and fastly becoming a confirmed Army brat.

Out of paper & out of time so had better drop this in the mailbox.

Much love.

Cecilia

Figure 56 - From Cecilia's Scrapbook