The marketing of Hawai‘i began when the first cruise liner by the Matson Corporation docked. About five minutes later, the Matson public relations department realized that they needed people to fill the hotel rooms of the grand new beach palaces (which Matson had also built). Graphic designers were hired and art was created, all in an attempt to sway mainlanders to visit the Islands and enjoy the tropical lifestyle that was only a short ocean cruise away.
   
Hawai‘i At Play, Images of a Bygone Era, covers the marketing of Hawai‘i in beautiful full color, with page after page of wonderful graphics that were created to promote the “Hawaiian lifestyle.” As Brown writes in his Introduction, “The pictures in these pages show an idealized world of leisure-time pursuits dated from the early 1900s up to the recent past. From ocean-sports to dining-out, from nightclub glamour to the neighborhood movie theater, here’s what Hawai‘i residents and visitors did for fun—or maybe just wished they could do.”
   
Six chapters cover such varied topics as A Taste of the Tropics, The Silver Screen, Holiday in Hawai‘i, Celebrations, and more. Every page is filled with the colorful and playful graphics of the time. Classic postcards images and original hotel pamphlets are gloriously reproduced along with menus, restaurant napkins, coasters, and matchbook covers. This book is a literal treasure trove of Hawai‘i’s pop culture history as well as tourism graphic design.
   
Brown’s writing is minimal and limited to chapter introductions and photo captions, but that simply allows the reader more time to study and admire the great graphics that have come to represent Hawai‘i.
   
All of the material from this book comes from Brown’s personal collection of Hawai‘i memorabilia, which he has been collecting for much of his life. It is easy to tell that the author loves the subject and material, especially considering the pristine condition much of the material is in.
   
Hawai‘i at Play is a loving tribute to Hawai‘i and its tourism. A quick and an enjoyable read, this book is a delight for anyone interested in the recent popular cultural history of the Islands.