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, April 2, 1941

Missing pages –

… after the war!? Not that I would love anything better than trekking through & about the world – BUT being neither a plutocrat, stowaway, genius or married to a millionaire – looks like Arkansas without the traveler attached will be my title with a glorious Honolulu as my degree.

I haven’t decided on a souvenir yet – want to look& listen a little more. What catches my eye is a bleached (cream) teakwood lotus carved chest. But no decision. I’m glad you decided against the Chinese rugs – because our house, I think, is much lovelier as it is – and an Oriental rug calls for matching furniture etc. My choice is our house, AS IS.

To the news of the day – you should see me go into a tail spin on the “round the island hula step! I have had two lessons at the Hawaiian Village, now – and such fun! The Hawaiian man takes his little “uke” out in front of the platform or grass shanty – teaching us to speak with our hands – or to do the figure eight, a la hips, -- as we Americans badly imitate the grace of the native Hawaiian dancers. I had no idea how utterly awkward & gaulky I was.

New in the news: about as usual – Tuesday night Bob & I went to the movies at Waikiki – “Come Live With Me.” After I had enjoyed the comedy & he had a nice snooze we went to “Paul’s” for dinner. The Dunlops just tickle me no end about movies. They go every night nearly, always sleep through them – but ay “the theater is such a nice place to sleep.”

Yesterday Mandy Allison & I had hamburgers at DeRussy for lunch then set out for a tennis match. Had about twenty good games. I initiated my red shorts – and they’re such fun. I love to wear them -- & is the skirt cute! Came home about three -- & the minute I jumped in the door Worley called for a tennis game so we trekked back to the Kapiolani courts. I was “on” game and beat him three beautiful games – quite “sumpin.”

After a malted milk at Kau Kau we drove out to one of the bays to take some pictures. High on a cliff, looking down into the bay below, a figured surface of blue water over sand and dark lacy coral beds. On the beach – many green palms. All enclosed by three high walls of cactus covered lava cliffs. It was lovely!

Last night Bob Dunlop came for dinner – late as usual. And from hellos to goodbyes the conversation only of heated war arguments (I being the only silent neutral fixture). A. Susan & Bob vs Uncle Ed. So this morning A. Susan called me in * said, for the benefit of my social training, that it was an excellent example of what dinner conversation should not be. We got quite a laugh about it after all the drilling she’s given me on dinner parties –

After dinner Bob & I went to DeRussy Club to dance – the place was swarming with col’s & generals (a party for dinner – 80 people). We met Col. & Mrs. Dunlop &, after the club closed at ten, all went down to Trader Vic’s. They are such fun – I just adore them

Sideline: strange experiences in the weekly blackouts at Schofield stories – blue lights only on cars on highways, --- the soldier who shot his way into a shooting gallery, captured it & held off six MPs and a bunch of civilians --