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, Sunday, June 1, 1941

June 1 – Sunday

This is the first chance I’ve had to sit down a single minute at home since Wednesday. Am taking it easy today and resting this afternoon & writing letters.

Haven’t made my reservations yet – but got prices & information to talk over with Uncle Ed – am going to get the cheapest 1^st class passage possible. Priced the red glass balls –
they are $0.75 each (2 or 2 ½ in. in diameter) so tell me how many I should get.

Last night had a marvelous time – went on a picnic out at Ft. Weaver^[1]
(a small but heavily fortified post on the other side of Honolulu harbor) – Dixie (Lt.) Frazier is the only officer there – lives right on the lovely beach. I went with Ens. Bell Hoffmann (he & Dixie planned the picnic) – he asked me & Dixie told me to get
him a date) we three & Beth Herman – Mandy & Arne Haaland & Bill’s roommate finally made the party. After being stopped and challenged by numerous guards enroute then ordered to “pass on” we reached the beach. It’s covered with giant mesquite trees – open
surf – after supper (I had made delicious egg olive & bacon & tomato sandwiches) we built a fire on the sand. And unfortunately, used aged wood – at the first flame an army of termites left their wooden refuges and invaded us mercilessly. After finishing the
toasted marshmallows flavored with roasted termites we loaded to leave before the gates closed at ten. There was the funniest “post” train that ran along the beach – an open platform with crude benches – no top – like an old fashioned trolley.

When we stopped for the guard to open the gate, they returned the cameras which had been taken from the party as we returned.

Came back to town & wanted to dance – but could think of nowhere but Hawaiian Town where we could go in picnic clothes. So meeting there – we were rejected because we’d wore no shoes. Giving
it up as a bad job and the late night there – we disbanded for home.

Wednesday afternoon I spent at DeRussy with Max – had a grand time catching up on all the club gossip & seeing everyone again.

We had dinner at the Young then came here to dress – met Bob hand at DeRussy later for dancing. The entire crowd was there & we were about ten couples & as many stags at the table. Marvelous
fun!

At ten we migrated to Lau Yee Chai & met the Elmores. Floor show of the evening was the group of six slightly wacky ensigns at the next table crooning in chorus “Silent Night” to a lifeless
member of their party who they had surrounded in a table cloth. He was finally roused by a much bepeppered radish taken from our sandwich plate  — which he consumed unconsciously stem & all. When we returned to the table after the last dance & asked for the
bill – it had been paid by some unknown person. Strange place!

Thursday night Max & I went out to the buffet club supper at Sch. – grand food – cold cuts, cheese, all olives, shrimp (in shell), pigs feet, potato salad & chips, cokes & coffee. It was fixed
out on the lanai – where an orchestra played for dancing during supper. I spent the night at Elmores – and the next morning went with max, Bob & Ken Blacker to the beach to look at a beach cottage they’re thinking of renting. After lunch at the club we came
into DeRussy to meet Hand & Mully, Mary & Walt. It was a holiday & simply everyone was at the P. Club.

Something very unpleasant happened at Kilauea – and a lot of excitement, embarrassment & stir have resulted since we’ve returned. I can’t write it, but will tell you when I’m home. Anthoo, we
called a hen session in the little girls’ room that afternoon to settle it & the other problems of our world. There were so many people to see & so much exciting chatter that it was a wonderful afternoon.

That night I had dinner with Bell H. at the Green Lantern, then we went to the movies at Waikiki, “Ziegfield Girl,” a late preview. Max just called to say he’d be in at five to get me – we’re
going to the Holmes tonight after dinner.

My trip to Hawaii was certainly financially fatal – my room & board & service bill was $30.00 – transportation &5.00 – one night at Kona on Round Island trip (with tips) $6.00 (for civilians
their prices are $8.50 up). Two lunches in Hilo with the party on sailing day & on the way from Kona $2.00. Leis were $2.00. So now, I’m on rock bottom & owe Uncle Ed $15.00 of my big check besides the $10.00 for cleaning that I didn’t pay before leaving because
had to use the money for the trip.

Of schools, I haven’t done any writing yet. Do you think maybe I could just go a half year at the U of A – that is –the first half? I have an inane bee in my bonnet, but it seems a fascinating
idea to me. A school just out of Mexico City, I’m writing for particulars, though I’m desperately afraid you won’t even give the idea a wink.

Another complication – Mandy Allison is sailing for Hamilton Field (near San Fran.) Saturday. A. Susan thinks the smartest thing I could do would be to go back that way & visit he there enroute
home (She’s Gen. Ryan’s dau). I’d much rather get home first, then do any further traveling later if at all — & go directly to & from Los Angeles.

Bunt is having and Aloha party for Mandy Wed. night (I’m hoping the pixies will be good to me & I’ll get to go with the woman hater, Dixie). I’m having her, Bunt, Ruth for luncheon Thurs. at
the Young (More to give me an ache in my financial stomach).

If I could just go to the U. of A. & make my sorority the first half – I’d be happy to go
anywhere the last half to save money for the next year.

Don’t you think I could stop over for just one night with Uncle Arthur?

I’ve worn my new play suit nearly every day this week – it’s the only clean garment I possess & I haven’t had time to do any washing. It’s so nice –& the shorts go with my pinafore, even.

Today is miserably hot – Kona weather – but I must get the letters written & some plans made for next week.

I’ll get all I can out of the big check — & shop for low prices on things I want. $25.00 to the Kings I owe from it for the trip & cleaning — $6.00 for the luncheon and I have to get leis
for Mandy, Mary Jane & Nancy Hicks leaving Saturday on the USAT Grant, which will just about split even with my ticket & chest included.

If Uncle Ed would permit it, I would go back cabin class – but neither he nor A. Susan will O.K. it, so I’ll have to weep & pay.

This goes out on the clipper Tues. – so you should get it in a week. I don’t remember the train fare – so you can get it from Beebe, can’t you – and send it at the latest possible date. Maybe
it could be sent to F. Ellen so I wouldn’t have to carry it – that would be much safer.

Food shortage, medicine shortage & transportation facilities are getting worse & worse over here – so home sounds like a marvelously safe idea.

Am anxious to hear about the possible position you mentioned.

Hope you are both well & not having to fight the summer heat.

Love, Cecilia

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