Aloha from Hawaii

Thanks to a post in the Life in a Postcard Mirror blog, I learned that yesterday (August 21) was the 50th anniversary of Hawaiian statehood. After reading that blog and viewing old postcards of Hawaii from the Curt Teich Archives there, I decided to take a look at some vintage Hawaii postcards of my own.

The first postcard was issued by Northwest Airlines circa 1951. It reminds me of my fourth grade teacher who previously taught in Hawaii. That sounded very exotic to me, and I still remember learning about "aloha," luaus, poi, etc. from her.

On the back of the Northwest Airlines postcard is this description:

"Whether you are a Malihini (newcomer) or a Kamaaina (old timer) you will find a wonderful Aloha awaiting you in Hawaii, a Paradise of the Pacific. Northwest Airlines Hawaiian Express gives you the only Stratocruiser service from New York and other great cities of the East across the country to Seattle connecting there with your direct Northwest flight to Honolulu…"

The second postcard was mailed in 1960 and tells the various meanings of "aloha" on the back: "Aloha means 'Hello,' 'Goodbye,' "Welcome,' 'Love,' depending upon phrasing, but always recognized the world over and identified with beautiful Hawaii."

The third postcard is a Hawaii state map from the early 1960s.

The last postcard is a map of the Island of Oahu, with enlarged details of the city of Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. It is a "Nani Li'i Natural Color Card"--Nani Li'i means "Little Beauty" in Hawaiian.

Honolulu is where President Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961. Hawaii's Official Tourism Site has a page about Barack Obama's Hawaii. It is said there that "There can be no doubt that growing up in this idyllic, multicultural setting was a major influence in shaping who Obama is today."