property in 1904. This became
175 rooms, more than doubling its
An island radio station was started in
Moana remained officially under
famous for romantic encounters
capacity. Two floors were added on
1922. Later, in 1935, a show, “Hawaii
civilian control. For the remainder
and serious business meetings held
top of the original four, and wings
Calls”, started to be broadcast from
of the War, most of its guests were
under it.
were also added.
the Moana, right in the courtyard
military personnel. Barbed wire lined
of its banyan tree. Initially broadcast
its famous beach.
The hotel’s general manager decided
Hawaii was still considered a play-
to 20 West Coast stations, the show
that the tree was needed to provide
ground for the rich. In 1926, Moana
eventually was heard across the
The Hotel endured rationing, black-
shade and enhance beachfront
saw completion of a competing
mainland. Emceed by Webley Ed-
outs, martial law and restricted cur-
grounds. But he was astute enough
luxury hotel, the Royal Hawaiian.
wards, its cast included singers Andy
rency for most of World War II. After
to see that only a hardy specimen
Both hotels seemed to prosper, con-
Bright and Alfred Apaka. Johnny No-
the American victory at Midway in
could grow in the sandy soil around
sistent with the booming mainland
ble and his band were also featured.
1942, fears of a Japanese invasion,
Moana. Peacock picked the banyan.
economy of the Roaring Twenties.
started to abate.
Prohibition was the law of the land,
Like all of Hawaii, the Moana Hotel
Afternoon tea (“High tea”) started
but evidently in Hawaii, it was flouted
was rudely jarred by the sneak
at the beginning and continues, as a
as much as in the states. Prominent
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
Moana tradition on the veranda.
guests at Moana included the Prince
December 7, 1941. Although its
of Wales from Great Britain (later
neighbor, the Royal Hawaiian, was
In 1918, the thriving Moana was
King Edward VIII) and his cousin,
officially taken over by the military,
greatly expanded by an additional
Lord Louis Mountbatten.
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FEBRUARY 2014 • LUXE BEAT MAGAZINE