Section 2: Bombing Paradise

     Many movies have been produced and marketed about the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the United States entry into World War II.  Some examples, as we have seen in class include "Air Force" (1943),  "From Here To Eternity" (1953) and "Pearl Harbor" (2001).  How Hawaii and its people are depicted in these movies raises many questions that reflect the temperature of the human condition in that era.

     These movies all made use of locations that have become synonymous with what is perceived about Hawaii as a place:  Diamond Head and the white sand beaches.  Hawaii is represented as a place where life is "suspended" and will be left behind upon to return to routine life in the U.S.  Until that time of departure, life for the people here was strung together by common themes of distrust, infidelity, tragedy, betrayal, escape and loneliness in the time following the events of December 7, 1941.

     The other implication that Hollywood made in these movies was that many locals aided in the Japanese raid in Pearl Harbor and this belief was perpetuated stateside.  Not only were Japanese not to be trusted, but anyone from Hawaii might be suspicious.  While Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach may be location draws to visitors to the islands, the idea that local people could not be trusted laid the foundation for the negative perceptions of the people who lived here.

Observing Pearl Harbor from the air.

Distrust, violence, betrayal.

Escape, fear.