The Stock Market crash of October 29, 1929, ushered in a decade of economic depression. The Islands were less affected than the Mainland but still endured hardships caused by layoffs, bankruptcies, and shrunken resources.

In 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt campaigned on a platform of “Happy Days Are Here Again.” In 1934, the 32nd President visited Hawai‘i—the first president to do so—in order to reassure the sugar cane-growing territories fearful that sugar quotas would be imposed, and also to assert American naval strength in the Pacific—FDR traveled on the naval cruiser Houston. The Island power structure was solidly Republican and against the Democratic Roosevelt’s “New Deal” policies of providing relief, loans, and jobs through federal agencies. But his visit offered excellent publicity for Hawai‘i.

Mainland newsmen and radio reporters covered the trip, and wirepress and newsreel photos showed a smilingly confident FDR, accompanied by two handsome sons, landing at Kailua, Kona, on July 25 and going fishing. Forty-three decorated fishing sampans greeted the Houston in Hilo harbor on July 26.

During his visit to Honolulu the next day, fat “ALOHA PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT” editions headlined, “CITY OPENS ARMS TO CHIEF.” American flags festooned the buildings, and huge crowds cheered his round-the-island motorcade. It was as if there were no Depression while the popular president—to be reelected three times—was in the Islands.

By Helen G. Chapin