Territorial Hawaii
Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898 and became a territory, remaining one until statehood in 1959. The postcard era therefore falls almost entirely in the territorial period, and collectors enjoy cards that show the islands as they were before mass tourism: a quiet Waikiki with a handful of hotels, Honolulu with its streetcars and wooden storefronts, and plantation towns on every island.
Honolulu and the harbor
Steamers arriving at Honolulu harbor, the Aloha Tower after its completion, downtown streets, government buildings and streetcars are popular early subjects. Real photos of street life and the waterfront are especially interesting.
Waikiki
Early Waikiki cards show surfers, outrigger canoes, the beach with Diamond Head behind it, and the first resort hotels, including the Moana. As tourism grew, Waikiki cards multiplied, so early views are the ones collectors seek.
Plantations
Sugar and later pineapple dominated Hawaii's economy, and plantation fields, mills, workers and camps appear on postcards. Real photos of plantation life, workers from many backgrounds, mills and plantation railroads are historically significant.
The outer islands
Maui, Kauai, the Big Island of Hawaii, Molokai and Lanai produced fewer cards than Oahu, so outer-island real photos of towns, landings, volcano scenes and ranches are scarcer. Early views of Kilauea and the volcano house are popular.
Military Hawaii
Pearl Harbor, Schofield Barracks and other military installations appear on cards before, during and after World War II. Prewar real photos of bases and military life interest military collectors.
Places and subjects to look for
- Honolulu: the harbor, streets, streetcars and early buildings.
- Waikiki: the early beach, surfers, canoes and first hotels.
- Plantations: fields, mills, camps and workers on every island.
- The Big Island: Hilo, Kilauea volcano and ranch country.
- Maui and Kauai: small towns, landings, valleys and mills.
- Military: Pearl Harbor and Army posts.
Local publishers
Many early Hawaii cards were published by Honolulu firms that sold to visitors and residents. Their early series, often with careful captions, are collected. Cards published by mainland companies were usually views of the most popular sights.
Real photos versus printed views
Printed Waikiki, palm and hula cards were produced in large numbers, especially later. Real photos of towns, plantations and outer islands are scarcer and carry most of the value.
What is common
Later chrome tourist cards of beaches, hotels, hula dancers and sunsets are very common.
Island people and daily life
Early postcards show Hawaiian people and the many communities that came to work on the plantations, from Japan, China, Portugal, the Philippines and elsewhere, in markets, at festivals, fishing and at work. Real photos of daily life in identified places are historically valuable. Some printed cards of the period reflect the stereotypes of their time; collectors still study them as records of how the islands were presented to visitors.
Questions about Hawaii postcards
Are territorial Hawaii postcards valuable? Early real photos of towns, plantations and outer islands are collected; common printed tourist views are modest.
Are old Waikiki postcards worth anything? Early views of the beach and first hotels are more interesting than later chromes.
Are Pearl Harbor postcards collectible? Prewar real photos of bases and military life interest collectors.
Do you buy collections with Hawaii cards? Yes, complete collections, by mail.
Steamship travel and Hawaii
Before air travel, visitors arrived by steamship from the West Coast after a voyage of several days, and the arrival in Honolulu harbor, with boat day celebrations, lei sellers and bands, was a famous event. Postcards of steamers, the harbor, boat days and shipboard life are popular with maritime and Hawaii collectors, and cards with shipboard postmarks or steamship line imprints add interest.
Why Hawaii cards turn up everywhere
Visitors to Hawaii mailed postcards home to every state, and servicemen stationed in the islands sent them by the thousand. As a result, early Hawaii cards appear in collections from Maine to California, often mixed in with views of the sender's hometown. If your collection includes any cards from the islands, especially real photos or cards with territorial postmarks, mention them when you describe the collection so I can look at them carefully.