With tourism being the foundation of Hawaiʻi’s economy, we are accustomed today to the presence of countless hotels that range from budget accommodations to internationally-known five star resorts. But this abundance was not, of course, always true. There were many vanished hotels that preceded those of 2027, and many of them are now forgotten in spite of the economic importance or fame they once possessed. 

In remembrance of these hotels - and to acknowledge the background of some still in business today - this Hawaiian Historical Society calendar focuses on Hawaiʻi’s historical hotels. 

The photographs printed here, including the postcards, are from the Hawaiian Historical Society collection. 

The luggage stickers and other paper ephemera are from the DeSoto Brown Collection.