WWII Red Light Tour

01/18/2020

Iolani Palace

The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown 127 years ago. The following is the documented timeline #OnThisDay in 1893:
In the morning, Sanford B. Dole submitted his resignation as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and accepted the Presidency of the Provisional Government.
The Queen’s Cabinet then called on U. S. Minister John L. Stevens and asked him again to support the Queen, which he refused to do. Stevens also hinted that U. S. troops might get involved if the Provisional Government or their supporters were attacked.
In the mid-afternoon on the makai steps of Aliiolani Hale, Henry E. Cooper read the proclamation overthrowing the monarchy and establishing a Provisional Government.
At 3:00 pm, James S. Walker informed the Queen of the proclamation and the opposition’s request for her abdication. Her Majesty refused.
The Queen’s cabinet along with S. M. Damon and J.O. Carter then met with the Queen, who yielded authority under protest to the U.S. Government and subsequently sent a letter to U.S. President Benjamin Harrison appealing for justice.

U. S. Minister John L. Stevens was forced into retirement for his actions during these five day in January of 1893.

Pictured: Liliuokalani in 1892.

01/13/2020

Wo Fat matchbook! Hawai`i 5-0 named their villain after this restaurant. It was opened in 1882 when King Kalakaua reigned. It stayed open for 100 years.

12/28/2019

I got this matchbook just in time to wish you all a Happy New Year from your Commanding Officer!

12/13/2019

Help Honor and Preserve WWII History in Hawaii

Help Honor and Preserve WWII History in Hawaii

Help Keep A WWII History Museum Open in Honolulu, HI. Today is Veteran's Day. A day we say thank you to those who served our country. For Glen Tomlinson, one...

12/08/2019

This matchbook is for a boogie house that was in Honolulu's WWII red light district. I don't know much about this establishment but it was in the building pictured below. Perhaps the colors of the building inspired the colors in the matchbook. The blue is very dark but the red still pops 80 years later!

12/06/2019

This match book's business has a story behind it. It was a brothel on the boundary of Honolulu's WWII red-light district. The women working here were not allowed on the other side of the street! At least the white women weren't; Honolulu was worried about social quarantine and tried to keep the white prostitutes as separate from polite society as possible (they also weren't allowed at golf courses).

Anyway, a man named Ted Chernin wrote a great article about his time in Honolulu during WWII. He spent two years visiting his favorite gal, Bobbie, at the Cottage. She was said to be soft spoken and liked him back. He says he always regretted not saying goodbye to her when he left.

In case you were wondering, Ted Chernin made about $2,000 a year as a junior radion engineer for the US Navy. As a prostitute Bobbie would've made over $20,000 a year. Sorry for the long tangents!

EDIT: Ok, so, I just confirmed that Lauren Bruner's girlfriend worked out of here too! He worked Shore Patrol, if one of the prostitutes was having trouble with a client she could press a buzzer and summon Shore Patrol. That's how Lauren met June, his first girlfriend.

Lauren Bruner was on the USS ARIZONA, December 7th, 1943. The way he survived is incredible, he ended up going hand over hand on a rope from the sinking USS to the USS VESTAL. Someone had thrown that rope to him from the other ship. He was the the last man to leave the ARIZONA and live.

He passed away in September. Tomorrow at sunset navy divers will place his ashes alongside his fallen crew mates in the Arizona memorial. Sorry for the tangent. I met him and was very fond of him. We really feel his loss here in Chinatown, Honolulu.

12/06/2019

Sailors in Honolulu during WWII would anchor at this "hotel". This brothel matchbook has a lot of interesting writing on it and it was recommended by Hotel Street Harry, a columnist for the MidPacifican publication, in three different articles!

12/05/2019

This Palace was a "tourist destination" for sailors during WWII. A man would pay $3 to spend time with a lady here.

12/04/2019

This is the matchbook for the boogie house that Jean O'Hara worked in. She was a prostitute but she also had a lot of self respect and didn't tolerate poor treatment. I was astonished and delighted to find a matchbook for HER establishment and I'm sharing it with you now. If you want to listen to her book I but a video of me reading it on YouTube. You can also purchase her book on Amazon, Honolulu Harlot.

12/03/2019

I found this matchbook for a WWII brothel and I wanted to share it with you. The picture is a man smiling with the words "This man patronizes us" but if you turn it upside down the man is frowning and the words say "This man wishes he had".

09/25/2019

Love, Tragedy, and the Oldest Bar in Hawaii

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6xL4K9KlSw&t=4s
Hotel Street and Smith's Union Bar will miss you, Lauren Bruner! WWII vet and Hotel Street regular passes away at 98.

Lauren Bruner was just 21 when he fell in love with a Japanese woman in Hawaii. They had a date for the morning of December 7th, 1941.

09/18/2019

Love, Tragedy, and the Oldest Bar in Hawaii

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6xL4K9KlSw
Pearl Harbor survivor and crewman of the USS ARIZONA passed away September 10th. Lauren Bruner was 98 years old, here is a short video about him and falling in love in Hawai`i.

Lauren Bruner was just 21 when he fell in love with a Japanese woman in Hawaii. They had a date for the morning of December 7th, 1941.

09/17/2019

Love, Tragedy, and the Oldest Bar in Hawaii

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6xL4K9KlSw
Lauren Bruner passed away last Tuesday, September 10th. He was 98 years old, he will be missed and he will live on in our memories.

Lauren Bruner was just 21 when he fell in love with a Japanese woman in Hawaii. They had a date for the morning of December 7th, 1941.

01/18/2019

Today is the 125th anniversary of the overthrow of the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands. To learn more about it you can come on my tour tomorrow at 9:30AM or Saturday at 9:30AM. It starts in front of the Queen Lili`uokalani statue.

12/07/2018

Love, Tragedy, and the Oldest Bar in Hawaii

I just finished a documentary about Smith's Union Bar. I think you'll like it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6xL4K9KlSw

Lauren Bruner was just 21 when he fell in love with a Japanese woman in Hawaii. They had a date for the morning of December 7th, 1941.

10/03/2018

A Pearl Harbor survivor spent decades trying to forget it. Then one man got him talking - Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pearl-harbor-anniversary-20161207-story.html

Lauren Bruner was aboard the battleship Arizona when Pearl Habor was bombed, and for 60 years kept the experience to himself. Then he met Ed McGrath and everything changed.

10/02/2018

Can Hawaii's Oldest Dive Bar Survive Chinatown's Invading Hipsters?

Can Hawaii's Oldest Dive Bar Survive Chinatown's Invading Hipsters?

The owner of Smith's Union Bar in Chinatown, opened in 1935, worries his landlord won't renew the bar's lease.

10/02/2018

Honolulu Civil Beat

Honolulu Civil Beat

Chinatown tour guide Carter Lee Churchfield talks about the historic Smith’s Union Bar. Check out Monday’s Civil Beat to see what’s going on with this historic dive bar.

06/03/2018

Honolulu Exposed tells the story of Chinatown's scandalous history

http://www.khon2.com/living808/honolulu-exposed-tells-the-story-of-chinatowns-scandalous-history/1213967343

Carter Lee Churchfield is fascinated with the tantalizing stories of Chinatown’s risqué past.

05/16/2018

MVP3 Radio Show "Finding My Yes"

Join and share the MVP3 Radio Show "Finding My Yes" page and a lucky random winner will receive two passes to the WWII Red Light Tour
https://m.facebook.com/FindingMyYesRadioShow/

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WWII Red Light Tour
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04/11/2018

Stealing Hawai`i: The Rise and Fall of the Last Queen, a new tour opening this week!

12/08/2017

10/24/2017

I'm announcing my new tour, Stealing Hawai`i: The rise and fall of the last Queen.

06/11/2017

Chinatown's WWII Red Light Tour

I was just made aware of this wonderful article! https://www.hawaii.com/oahu/things-to-do/walking-tours/chinatown-wwii-red-light-district/

Carter Churchfield’s Chinatown WWII Red Light Tour is unabashedly described as “a historical walking tour of debauchery and corruption.”

03/16/2017

The Glades Project

Its wonderful to see a documentary about the recent history of Chinatown.

The Glades Project - Work in Progress (TRT: 03:48)
THE GLADES PROJECT REVEALS AN INTEGRAL PART OF HAWAII'S CULTURE AND HISTORY THAT HAS BEEN KEPT IN THE DARK UNTIL NOW...
Revealing contemporary cultural challenges after statehood that was endured by a marginalized minority of Pacific Islanders known as Mahu. We begin with the Glade Show Lounge, located in the heart of Honolulu’s Old Chinatown at 152 N. Hotel St. which at the time was the red light district. This is a celebrated group of local Mahu (transgender), where genders were blurred and ordinary boys became beautiful girls. The billboard moniker read in brightly lit lights: Glade Show Lounge Where Boys Will Be Girls
The Glades Project reveals the stories that take viewers deep into the body and soul of the reality of life in Hawaii as never before seen.
Your support is appreciated GO TO: thegladesproject.com
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01/19/2017

People who have Liked this page; Why did you Like it? Are you planning on taking the tour or is there another reason?

01/15/2017

How did the great fire of Chinatown start on January 20th , 1900? Take the Devil's Den Tour on it's 117-year anniversary to find out!

01/14/2017

January 20th will be the 117 year anniversary of the great Chinatown fire! If you would like to learn about it and the events that led up to it take my new tour: the Devil's Den Tour!

It will be at 7pm, 90 minutes long, $20 per person. It starts and ends in Chinatown.

10/12/2016

WWII Era Prostitution in Hawaii - Honolulu Exposed

I was interviewed about the lusty ladies of WWII yesterday!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLQpkwcNJny6k-ynFpwaXt33MGAyHzUenc&v=LGQo_wlkgRk

Carter Churchfield of Honolulu Exposed shares his research on prostitution and culture in Hawaii during World War II. ThinkTech Hawaii streams live on the In...

08/31/2016

Hidden Honolulu: Explore the Best Secrets the City Has to Offer

http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/August-2016/Hidden-Honolulu/#.V8Xy1YVsClA.facebook
Worth sharing!

We delve deep into underground passages, secret societies and mysteries—including a few we pass by every day without noticing—to bring you the best secrets the city has to offer.

08/10/2016

Chinatown's WWII Red Light Tour

A wonderfully written teaser article just came out about the tour! Cool photos too. Its so rewarding to have my hard work recognized.
https://www.hawaii.com/oahu/things-to-do/walking-tours/chinatown-wwii-red-light-district/

Carter Churchfield’s Chinatown WWII Red Light Tour is unabashedly described as “a historical walking tour of debauchery and corruption.”

06/12/2016

St. Michaels Character of the Day: The Crazy Life of James Michener, Millionaire & Cheapskate

Interesting article about the man who wrote the novel Hawai`i. http://www.secretsoftheeasternshore.com/st-michaels-character-day-crazy-life-times-millionaire-cheapskate-james-michener/

The novel “Chesapeake” was published on June 12, 1978, which makes the weekend when I am posting this piece the 38th anniversary of its appearance. By the time that book appeared, James Michener was already famous the world over. We are talking here about a guy who sold 75 million books during his l...

06/10/2016

I will be giving mini tours during the festival!

Won't be long now...

05/27/2016

Lovely photo of Aloha Tower. Can anyone date it?

05/21/2016

EXCLUSIVE: Federal investigation into police chief broadens

There's a strange new chapter to the HPD mailbox scandal! The original story is here:http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/31430193/exclusive-federal-grand-jury-case-against-honolulus-chief-wife-expands

Multiple law enforcement sources say the FBI investigation into Honolulu's Police Chief, Louis Kealoha, and his deputy prosecutor wife, Katherine, has ballooned. A second United States Attorney ...

05/06/2016

A local who came on the tour was kind enough to bring this program for a boxing tournament in 1944! Thank you, sir, for this fun piece of nostalgia!

05/04/2016

Why Thousands of Siberian Workers Were Shipped to Sunny Hawaii in 1909

This article is interesting and sensational. The plight of Russians in Hawai`i isn't common knowledge.

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/inside-the-bizarre-racist-scheme-to-important-siberian-workers-to-hawaii-in-1909

The laborers were to work in sugarcane fields, and also render the islands less Asian.

04/25/2016

UNITED AIRLINES HONOLULU HAWAII TRAVELOGUE 1970s 72832

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXP4jpp5fTA

Created in 1978 by United Airlines, this travelogue (shot in widescreen!) presents a glimpse of Hawaii and especially Honolulu with its beaches, surfers, cul...

01/19/2016

Why Martin Luther King Jr. wore a Hawaiian lei on Selma march

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/content/why-martin-luther-king-jr-wore-hawaiian-lei-selma-march

01/19/2016

We now accept Bitcoin!

11/09/2015

December 7 - Documentary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, John Ford

This a famous propaganda film that shows Honolulu during WWII. There's footage of many recognizable places. Be cautioned: There is a lot of racism in this film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7g1qrkAEzA

December 7 (1943). World War 2 documentary and propaganda film on the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. Directed by John ...

10/07/2015

This photo is of the Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum bottle. You can peel back the label to reveal a pin-up girl!

10/02/2015

Smith's Union Bar aka Smitty's

This Veteran's Day is the perfect time to knock back a beer at the only bar to survive WWII!

The oldest operating bar on the island and the old watering hole to the sailors aboard the USS Arizona. Dive bar, cheap beer and karaoke every day!

09/09/2015

Honolulu Exposed

Honolulu Exposed

Three very different historical walking tours, each 90 minutes in downtown Honolulu. For more details please visit HonoluluExposed.com .

09/07/2015

We are premiering our new Devil's Den Gore Tour this Friday! This is a Halloween tour of Plague, Rats, Fire, Human Sacrifice and Leprosy! Perfect for gore fiends this spooky season!