On Sunday, April 22 at 1pm, author Duncan O’Brien, a leading authority on the history of the Matson Line passenger ship era in Hawaii, will make a presentation about “Boat Days” at the Story of Hawaii Museum located in the Maalaea Shops. The public is invited at attend and admission is free.
O’Brien has a lifelong connection with the “white ships”, starting when his parents met aboard the SS Monterey in 1962. He sailed aboard the ships several times as a young boy from California to Hawai’i’and his mother’s native Australia. His family’s collection of photos, movies and memorabilia from those trips inspired him to research and write “The White Ships”, a deluxe coffee-table history of the ships that carried thousands of passengers across the Pacific in the “Grand Manner of Matson” from 1927-1978. The book won a Ka Palapala Po’okela award in 2009.
The Story of Hawaii Museum is a unique exhibit that tells the tale of the Islands presented in a new way — through maps, charts, documents, and artifacts. The display is set up in chronological order so that you can follow the history of Hawaii from the Polynesian migrations to the 21st century just by taking a stroll around the gallery. It includes rare prints, maps, and authentic antique pieces, some hundreds of years old.
One section of the museum features a display of items from the early days of travel aboard Matson’s luxury liners including original menus, passenger list, ticket, and a souvenir guest photo. In addition, press proofs, authentic pieces and reproductions from the cruise ships –including the popular images by Savage, Kelly and MacIntosh — are available for purchase at the museum.
The Story of Hawaii Museum is located in the Maalaea Shops. It is open daily from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free however donations are accepted. Hourly guided tours are offered for $5 per person.
For more information, contact Bryant Neal at (808) 283-3576.
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