Rearview Mirror: Tasty stories of kimchi in Hawaii
In June, Jeanie Stowe sent me a question about Hal “Aku” Lewis’ morning radio show. “Back in the mid-1950s, Aku played a song called ‘The Thing,’ sung by Phil Harris. The first verse was: Read more
Rearview Mirror
Columnist Bob Sigall writes the weekly column “Rearview Mirror,” which takes a look back at historic Hawaii through stories, interviews and photos.
Rearview Mirror: Barack Obama Sr. spent 3 years in Hawaii
I was thinking last week that I knew a lot about Barack Obama II, who was born on Oahu in 1961, attended Punahou and became our 44th U.S. president. I knew much less about his father. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Prolific luminaries populate Hawaii’s rich musical pool
My column is usually about one topic, but every now and then, I like to fill it with several short subjects. Today they all revolve around music in one way or another. We’ll start with Frank Sinatra and John F. Kennedy, then spend $2 to go to a KPOI “Million Dollar Party.” Read more
Rearview Mirror: Readers remember Kress and Woolworth stores
From the 1930s through the 1970s, two retail “variety” stores were very popular in the islands: S.H. Kress and F.W. Woolworth. They were known as five-and-dime stores, as most of the items they sold were inexpensive. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Readers recall seeing volcanoes’ eruptions
For over 150 years, tourists have been drawn to the active volcanoes on Hawaii island. As far back as 1865, visitors would often take a boat from Oahu to Hilo (a trip that took two to four days), then ride a horse or carriage up to Kilauea Crater (eight to 12 hours) to see one of the great wonders of the world. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Visiting ‘red front store’ was like stepping into past
Readers of this column know I like to go off on tangents. It’s the opposite of what most of my English teachers said to do, but I enjoy getting off the beaten path. Hopefully you will enjoy it, too. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Memorable doctors, Part 2
I often write about my readers’ favorite restaurants, theaters, parks, athletes, musicians, hotels, stores, radio stations, TV shows, military bases and schools. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Daring pilot flew under a bridge — then crashed
I am often asked where I get the ideas for my Friday columns. Sometimes it begins with a story or question from a reader. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Readers pay tribute to devoted doctors
In April, I wrote about pioneering doctor Ralph Cloward, Hawaii’s first neurosurgeon. Read more
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Rearview Mirror: Readers recall paper licenses, travails of passing driving test
I was chatting a few weeks ago with Sam Camp and Wally Camp, who are unrelated. Sam suggested I write about old Hawaii driver’s licenses. They remembered ones made of paper that folded and had a place to list the traffic tickets you received. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Here’s to the ‘Suck ’Em Up’ saga
One reader said he vaguely remembered reading about a horse named Suck ’Em Up, owned by Duke Kahanamoku. He asked whether I could verify that. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Famed neurosurgeon credits his clarinet for his success
Hawaii’s first neurosurgeon was Dr. Ralph Bingham Cloward (1908-2000). He graduated from McKinley High School and began college at the University of Hawaii. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Several musicians have roots in Hawaii
Music is important in Hawaii. Many of our monarchs were extremely talented as composers and performers. So, it comes as no surprise that many young people who grew up here made it big as musicians in Hawaii and beyond our shores. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Readers fondly remember beloved Oahu restaurants
Last November, I polled readers and came up with the top 25 Oahu restaurants that were gone but not forgotten. The Willows topped the list, followed by Tahitian Lanai, Columbia Inn, Flamingo, John Dominis, Swiss Inn, Alan Wong’s, Fisherman’s Wharf, Canlis and Pearl City Tavern. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Sweet memories of Dole’s pineapple juice fountains
Many of my columns start with a reader question or comment about things they remember from long ago, such as this one from Christopher Haig. “I remember visiting the Dole Cannery many years ago, when I was about 10 years old. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Colorful, ‘riveting’ auroras are the stuff of bucket lists
Most of us in Hawaii have never seen auroras — northern or southern lights caused by solar flares. Normally, one needs to be in high-latitude locations such as Alaska to see them. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Readers recall warmth, kindness of George and Jean Ariyoshi
Two weeks ago I wrote about Walter Dods, CEO of First Hawaiian Bank. He created the “Quiet and Effective” slogan for Gov. George Ariyoshi’s 1978 campaign. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Beloved school lunches generate fond memories
Reader Jo Anne Yamamoto said she came across an article in the paper recently about school lunches. She attended McKinley High School in the 1960s and said the lunches were delicious most of the time. Read more
Rearview Mirror: The story of George Ariyoshi’s ‘Quiet and effective’ campaign
Last week I explored First Hawaiian Bank’s “Yes” campaign, which has run for 55 years now. It’s the longest-lasting advertising campaign in Hawaii history. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Here’s the story behind the ‘bank that says yes’
The longest-running advertising campaign in Hawaii passes the 55-year mark this year. Read more
Rearview Mirror: Scott Swift’s ties to Hawaii extended to daughter Taylor
Hawaii, in the great scheme of things, is a tiny bit of islands in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean. So, I am often surprised to hear that people that live here have connections to such luminaries as Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Read more
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