KAUNAKAKAI, Molokai, Sept. 15 — No wahines clustered around Bing Crosby when he arrived unannounced this afternoon by the sampan Carrie T. from Honolulu with a party of three. The celebrated actor looked up and down Kaunakakai’s main street, threw up his arms, shook his head and said, “I’m disappointed.”
But his disappointment was short lived. Someone breathed that Bing was on the island and everything was all hustle and bustle. While the visitor was busy viewing the settlement from the pali, Molokai’s friendly residents were stringing leis, gathering tropical fruits for a hookupu, a kamaaina welcome.
By the time Bing had returned from the pali an hour later, a crowd had gathered on Kaunakakai’s main street.
“Gee, he’s good looking,” said one wahine.
“I wouldn’t miss meeting him for the world,” said another.
Headed by Magistrate Edward McCorriston, acting as the “cock-eyed” mayor of Kauanakakai, Bing and his party, a group of musicians and a crowd of Molokai residents, paraded through the town. …
After the procession circled the town, it stopped at the front steps of the Molokai market. There Bing was crowned with pineapples, coconuts, sweet potatoes, eggplant and flowers. Armed with his presents, Bing sang Hawaiian Paradise. Then he tried to sing Na Lei O Hawaii, but he didn’t know the words.
After Bing’s attempt at singing, Magistrate McCorriston gave a loud speech, welcoming Bing to the Friendly Island.
“I want you to come back to Molokai,” said Magistrate McCorriston. “I want you to live here. I have a piece of property worth $10,000, but I will sell it to you for only $5, so that you make your home here with us.”
To this Bing replied: “Sold.”
After more songs, Bing gave a speech and told how he had been advised to visit Molokai by Warner Baxter, who visited here last year.
Ending the ceremony, Magistrate McCorriston presented Bing with a full package of Molokai’s most prominent product, kiawe beans.
Because he was treated so friendly, Bing, who had planned to stay only a few hours, is staying overnight to try deer hunting. He will leave Wednesday for Honolulu.
