Aloha, Vintage Hawaii

Growing up I always dreamed of going to Hawaii, especially when one of my aunt's honeymooned there after her wedding (that was when I was about 4 years old).  I finally got to go a few years ago and I said it then and I'll say it again, I would retire in Hawaii in a heartbeat.

For now I'll just reminisce and explore a little vintage Hawaii.  I'm including some Etsy finds, some vintage photographs, and a little video. 

Check out this bust of a Polynesian Beauty from the 1950's/1960's. 
From Bombshell Bettie's Vintage on Etsy.

Or this classic 1940's Muumuu (you can't have Hawaii without a Muumuu). 
From Stelma Designs on Etsy.

Here are a group of students from the University of Hawaii during the 1940's

The University dates back to 1907. During the 40's growth of the school was stalled because of the war.

Photo from LIFE Photo Archive

In 1944 Trader Vic (Victor J. Bergeron) was hosting some friends from Tahiti.  He concocted a drink for them one afternoon and one of them exclaimed "Maita'i roa ae!", which translates to "Very good!" or "Out of this world!".  The drink was then incorporated into Trader Vic's restaurant in Oakland, California.  Make your own using light rum, orange curaçao, creme de almond, lime juice, pineapple juice and dark rum (for method, proportions and other variations, see the recipe here).

A Mai Tai I enjoyed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort while on vacation in Oahu

And while you are sipping your Polynesian libation, enjoy this clip from Blue Hawaii (1961) starring Elvis Presley