"How did Hawaiian and Polynesian culture come to dramatically alter American music, fashion and decor, as well as ideas about race, in less than a century? It began with mainland hula and musical performances in the late 19th century, rose dramatically as millions shipped to Hawaii during the Pacific War, then made big leap with the advent of low-cost air travel. By the end of the 1950s, mainlanders were hosting tiki parties, listening to exotica music, lazing on rattan furniture in Hawaiian shirts and, of course, surfing. The author describes how this cultural conquest came about and the people and events that led to it"--

Includes bibliographies and index.

Of Hawaiian words and a note on money -- Sailing to paradise -- Flying air paradise : the evolution of flight to Hawaii -- The hula : taking America by dance -- Sliding into paradise : the Hawaiian steel guitar -- Ring my bell : music from the paradise of exotica -- Passing the tiki torch -- A twisted tale : the emergence of rattan furniture -- The shirt heard 'round the world -- If it swells, ride it : a surfin' tsunami surges to the California coast -- Breeding a hope for the future : interracial romance embarks for the mainland -- Appendix A: Bigger, better and braver : why the world's largest flying boat ever made never flew a commercial route to Hawaii -- Appendix B: The Zenith Trans-Oceanic: bringing Hawaii to your living room via shortwave.

COPYRIGHT NOT covered - Click this link to request copyright permission:

https://lib.ciu.edu/copyright-request-form