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Original 1958 American Express “Schedule of Events” Hawaii tour itinerary for members of the National Association of Plumbing Contractors, traveling aboard the S.S. Matsonia.
This is a detailed group-tour itinerary rather than a standard promotional cruise brochure. The schedule runs from Saturday, July 5 through Monday, July 28, and the printed day/date combinations match the 1958 calendar, allowing the piece to be dated with confidence.
The itinerary begins with boarding the S.S. Matsonia for Hawaii and follows the group through an extensive ship-and-island tour program arranged through American Express Tours.
Scheduled activities and destinations include:
- Boarding the S.S. Matsonia
- Shipboard entertainment and activities
- Arrival in Honolulu
- Waikiki Beach
- Oahu sightseeing
- Hawaiian Village Hotel
- Aloha Tower
- Circle Island tour
- Nuuanu Pali
- Mormon Temple
- Upside Down Falls
- Kauai excursion
- Waimea Canyon
- Kalalau Lookout
- Fern Grotto
- Hilo and the Big Island
- Rainbow Falls
- Orchid and anthurium nurseries
- Tree Fern Forest
- Hawaii Volcano House
- Kilauea Iki
- Kona Coast
- Captain Cook Monument
- Deep-sea fishing opportunity
- Return to Honolulu
- Departure aboard S.S. Matsonia
- Arrival at Los Angeles Harbor
Also included is a rooming list for members of the National Association of Plumbing Contractors, showing traveler names and whether accommodations were twin or single.
The blue outer folder contains handwritten notes and calculations, which appear to be period use markings from the trip or travel-planning process.
Brief Ship & Line History:
Matson Navigation Company was one of the most important American passenger lines serving Hawaii and the South Pacific. Its ships helped establish luxury ocean travel between the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii during the mid-20th century.
The S.S. Matsonia used on this itinerary was operating Matson’s Hawaii passenger service during the late 1950s. In 1963, the ship was renamed Lurline, continuing Matson’s long association with Hawaii passenger travel.
This itinerary is a nice surviving example of the period when a Hawaii vacation could combine several days aboard an ocean liner with a fully organized island touring program.
Condition:
Pre-owned original 1958 itinerary with age and handling wear. The blue outer folder shows creasing, surface wear, discoloration, handwritten notes and calculations, and scattered marks/staining. Interior pages show age toning, fold lines, and normal handling wear but remain readable. Stapled binding is present.
Important Note to Buyers:
Please carefully examine all high-resolution photos, as they are considered part of the description and provide the best representation of condition.
