I found this in an box of old photos the other day. I love the little envelope the luggage sticker and Via Mail Mail stickers came in. I don't think they had every been removed, until I scanned them. You can watch a short video about my parents' life in 1950's Hawaii here. You can watch a short video about my friend Brenda Lo's experience as a fashion designer in 1950's Hawaii here. And see photos of her drop-dead gorgeous Cheongsam dresses here.
I am glad I have this, evidence of Dad playing golf at the officer's course in Hawaii. I love the pink color. Dad says there were special parking spaces for the colonels (Dad was not a colonel). You can watch a little film about Dad and Mom's stay in 1950s Hawaii here. And you can watch a film about my friend Brenda Lo, a gifted 1950s Hawaiian fashion designer, here.
Photo: Bengt Paul
Here is a Kodachrome of my mom and sister Lisa at the beach with Diamond Head in the background. Mom and Dad moved there after getting married while Dad served in the Navy. Later they moved to Buffalo, where Dad grew up. Classic bait and switch.
Before the iPhone, there was the Ericofon. The handset and dial were combined into a single unit. It came in 18 colors. This is a flier my mom found in Hawaii and sent to her Dad in Sweden.
Photo by Christa Nolan. Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
Dad's index of the slides he took in Hawaii while in the Navy from 1956-58. It's clipped onto the inside lid of the sturdy metal box that holds them. Digital may be easier, but it don't look like Kodachrome.
A postcard to Hildegard Paul from her daughter, my mother, Christa Paul. Mom and Dad were living in Honolulu while Dad was serving in the Navy. Who knew there was a market for Hawaiian postcards aimed at Swedes in 1957? Click to enlarge. Postcard by Watkins & Sturgis, Ltd., Honolulu.
My grandfather Bengt Paul (Benekiki) was an amazing photographer, and used to send some of his shots as postcards. This one, of my mom and brother Chris, says: "Dear Christa and Jim—today 42 years since mother and I were married and yesterday it was 9 years since you got engaged. So my thoughts quite naturally go to you with all their hearts and pockets full of love. Hope you are all well and enjoy life. Next time I hope to send a new enlarging. P&K (Puss och kram: kiss and hug) yours Benekiki." It was nice that he wrote it in English so my dad could follow. Bengt picked up the name Benekiki in Hawaii, when he visited my parents there after his wife Hildegard's death in 1957. I've included the story below.
I like the deckled edges of old photos, and how my dad put "outrigger canoe" in quotations, as if it were some unusual object. Guess he didn't grow up watching "Hawaii 5-0" and "Magnum, P.I." I believe that's the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in the background. Click photo to enlarge.