Crossroads of the Pacific: A Hawaiian Cruise (1930s)

[Music] heading for Hawaii Crossroads of the Pacific the United States Fleet on one of its frequent visits presents an imposing pageant of sea power Mighty Men a war but at the same time happy homes for the thousands of men aboard as they sail the seven [Music] seas hey what's the idea no that's not a flood it's just the Pacific coming aboard as guardians of our country our Navy must be prepared for any emergency and while on Route war games at Sea Test officers and Men keeping them fit to fight no man's blood fails to tingle as he hears coming on the [Music] rain and finally commence firing planes act as the eyes of a modern Fleet [Music] with the signal cease firing Maneuvers end and the squadrons reform for their Crews to Honolulu where sh leave awaits for the Navy knows that all work and no play make Jack a Dull Boy [Music] but first Captain's inspection is held spotless uniforms and a Spen span appearance are the order of the day in the [Music] service hats off to see who needs a haircut [Music] and then the fleet is anchored off Honolulu the promised land of liberty party soon the Glad Cry of all ashore that's going ashore Echoes throughout the ships and the Sailors Embark in ship's folks assure the traditional welcome the Hawaiian lays that greet every visitor and here's the lad who receives the most flowery welcome of [Music] all oh for the life of a [Music] sailor and then it's whole for Waki Beach aboard a rolling [Music] trolley the Blue Jackets just can't wait to enjoy the world famous Beach [Music] a sailor's holiday going to sea with surfboards and Native Outriggers [Music] it's quite a trick to manage an outrigger and returning is the thrill of a [Music] lifetime some are experts but as a rule it's Man Overboard on the shoreward trip rugged individualists prefer surf boards you're on your own as you race on the crest of the Roaring surf but whether you're good or not you're bound to be head over heels for the sport anytime [Music] next we visit newali where the breezes blow so hard and so steadily that even the sea legs of a sailor can't make Headway against the Island's strongest Trade Winds air currents roaring through poly Gap it's a historic spot too because here KEH hamaha the first Napoleon of the Pacific United the islands under his roof when his forces drove oahu's Army over the cliff to destruction to the Rocks 400 ft below [Music] while Liberty parties are ashore officers and Men on duty keep an eye on things such as this Air Patrol but dudy is a pleasure when it gives you these fine bird's eye views of lovely Honolulu capital city of the Hawaiian Islands this city where East Meets West and modern business mingled with the memories of the past has a population of more than 106,000 representing all the races of the globe the up-to-date Metropolis we see from the air Grew From the settlement which John Young an Englishman urged Kamehameha to fortify in 1816 and now 120 years later it has become the chief city of the crossroads of the Pacific nearby is world famous Waki Beach Hawaii's greatest Resort where magnificent hotels are head quarters for the social life of the city right at their doors rolls the Eternal surf of the Pacific due to the Contour of warak ocean floor the waves surge for great distances without losing their shape making them ideal for the sport of surf riding as the islands are of volcanic origin and coral formation it is but natural that the natives created Legends both around the power to destroy the volcanoes and the power to build the coral many specimens of which are on display they tell their own story of age-old [Music] creation and if you want coconuts all you have to do is climb a tree or if you're too lazy get somebody else to go [Music] along no Shore leave in Hawaii is complete without the ho H hola by the native Po's girls so it's on with the [Music] dance great shakes for many a young [Music] sailor hey you need blinders thanks buddy what he can't see won't hurt us [Music] and that's the end of a perfect visit in the paradise of the Pacific it's time to return to the ship saying Aloha for a little while then it's Homeward Bound with lifelong memories of a cruise to Hawaii and patriotic pride in the imposing gry line of Uncle Sam's great Fleet America's first line of defense [Music]