Columnist Bob Sigall writes the weekly column “Rearview Mirror,” which takes a look back at historic Hawaii through stories, interviews and photos.
Eight years ago, I wrote about Babe Ruth playing baseball in Hilo. My wife’s uncle was a photographer and she came across several photos of the 1933 event, which accompanied my article. Read more
I’ve talked recently with a few islanders who remember that in the 1940s and 1950s, a popular concert venue in Honolulu was the McKinley High School auditorium. Read more
Dr. Stephen Arnold suggested that with Halloween approaching I ask my newsletter readers whether they had any spooky stories. Did they witness something they could not explain? Had someone who died returned in some form to give them a message? I didn’t know what to expect, but several readers responded with some chicken skin experiences. Read more
One of the most interesting retail stores in Hawaii was a dry goods and fabric store named Musashiya. It began in Chinatown on the makai side of King Street near River Street in 1896. Read more
I wrote two columns earlier this year about companies that are having significant anniversaries this year. I think it’s important to celebrate the people and organizations that have been able to serve the residents of the state for so many years. Read more
I mostly know Al Harrington, who died Sept. 21, as an actor and performer. But he was also a history teacher and football coach at Punahou. Many of his former students have fond memories of this man, who they say never forgot them. Read more
Kapiolani Community College is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and I participated Thursday in a webinar about Hawaii in 1946, the year the college started. Read more
Last month I shared Ethel Fleming’s story about answering John F. Kennedy’s challenge to join the Peace Corps. I heard from several others like her. Read more
Hawaii once had nine pineapple canneries, such as Hawaiian Pineapple Co. (Dole), Libby McNeil and California Packing (Del Monte). In 1959, it was estimated that they packed 10,000,000 cans a day! Read more
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Last month Randall Hew sent me an essay written by Donald Graham in 2008 about building Ala Moana Center. He was the point person in its creation. It’s fascinating and has given me some insight in building what they call “Hawaii’s Center.” Read more
Seventy-five years ago an 8.1-magnitude earthquake in Alaska generated a series of tsunamis that hit Hawaii on the morning of April 1, 1946, killing 159 people. Read more
In Parts 1 and 2 of this exploration of theme parks in the islands, I looked at some that opened and closed or are still around greeting thousands of visitors. Read more
Last week I looked at Hawaii theme parks that opened at one time but did not last, such as Paradise Park, Castle Park, Primo Village, Ulu Mau Village and the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Read more
Earlier this year I began exploring locations that were considered for Hawaii auditoriums, stadiums, meeting halls, museums, schools and other entities. Read more
Sixty years ago this November, aliens landed a spaceship on the 23rd floor of the Ala Moana Building and opened a restaurant. Well, that’s what it looked like to me. Read more
I’m sure many readers will remember that my predecessor at the paper, Bob Krauss, wrote a column called In One Ear. It began in 1953 with things people told him. This week’s column pays homage to him with things people told me recently. Read more
‘Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” Those were the words of President John F. Kennedy at his inauguration in 1961. Read more
Recently, Eleanor Waterhouse suggested I ask my readers what it was like to grow up in Kailua, on the Windward side of Oahu. Read more
Each year, I write about key companies and nonprofits that pass important milestones in the year. In February I wrote Part 1. Here’s Part 2. Read more
Last month I wrote about open-air theaters in the islands. Hawaii had over 30 of these establishments, where patrons would sit on chairs, benches, boxes or on the grass, under the stars, as motion pictures would be projected onto a screen. Read more
I heard from over 50 readers regarding the June 18 article about news carriers, including from three papergirls. Here are a few of their stories. Read more
