The Hawaiian Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with more than eight million visitors in 2015 – more than five times the total population of Hawaii. And while those numbers haven’t always been so high, the Hawaiian Islands have relied on the booming tourism industry for decades. From cruise ships and airplanes to tourists hanging out in Waikiki and luxury hotels, these 13 rare vintage photographs taken in Hawaii depict the Hawaiian tourism industry like never before.
- Airliners on Maui in 1973: “Jet travel between the islands is a cause of rapid development. Sea travel has not been utilized in the tourist trade.”
Charles O’Rear/Wikimedia Commons
- Waikiki Beach and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in December 1969.
NOAA Public Library/Wikimedia Commons
- Honolulu Harbor as photographed in 1973.
U.S. National Archives/Wikimedia Commons
- A lovely Kapuaiwa Grove on Molokai.
Bernice P. Bishop Museum/Wikimedia Commons
- Jack and Charmian London enjoy a day at Waikiki Beach, 1915.
Wikimedia Commons
- Tourists hang out in front of the International Marketplace in Honolulu.
Father of JGKlein/Wikimedia Commons
- The SS Lurline, a Matson passenger ship, approaches Pier 10 in Honolulu Harbor.
U.S. National Park Service/Wikimedia Commons
- Native Hawaiians sell leis in 1901.
Unknown/Wikimedia Commons
- Lobby card for the 1938 film Hawaii Calls.
RKO-Bobby Breen Productions/Wikimedia Commons
- A boat arrives at Lahaina Harbor.
Hawaii State Archives/Wikimedia Commons
- A panoramic view of the Haleiwa Hotel, circa 1902.
Melvin Vaniman/Wikimedia Commons
- This close-up of shot of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum was taken in 1957.
Father of JGKlein/Wikimedia Commons
- A shot of Waikiki circa 1973 shows how much this tourist destination has changed throughout the years.
U.S. National Archives/Wikimedia Commons
If you loved these vintage photos, be sure to check out what Hawaii looked like in the 1930s, 1950s, and 1970s.
Charles O’Rear/Wikimedia Commons
NOAA Public Library/Wikimedia Commons
U.S. National Archives/Wikimedia Commons
Bernice P. Bishop Museum/Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
Father of JGKlein/Wikimedia Commons
U.S. National Park Service/Wikimedia Commons
Unknown/Wikimedia Commons
RKO-Bobby Breen Productions/Wikimedia Commons
Hawaii State Archives/Wikimedia Commons
Melvin Vaniman/Wikimedia Commons
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