Ah, Waikiki, land of swaying palm trees, carefully crafted mai tais, and blissful stretches of beachfront resorts.
Even before Hawaii became a state in 1959, Waikiki was a beloved tourist destination. Since then, the area has changed and developed drastically. Modern-day Waikiki has evolved into a bustling shopping district with some of the best people-watching known to man.
The Waikiki of today has its merits, but after exploring the historical photography collections of the Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian, two of Waikiki's oldest hotels, we're seriously wishing for a time machine.
Below, a sample of photos, provided by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, that show images of a time gone by:
Surfers ride the waves at one of Waikiki's famed surf breaks in the early 1900s.
This pre-World War I photo shows the Moana Surfrider Hotel, built in 1901. Its first-ever guests paid $1.50 for their rooms each night.
Surfers and their boards on Waikiki Beach.
The beach at the Moana Surfrider Hotel, 1901-1915.
A woman sits on the Moana Surfrider Hotel pier, 1913.
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Coconut Grove, 1927.
A guest and her daughter pose at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Beachgoers lounge on the sand in Waikiki, 1925.
A woman offers a flower lei to a visitor, 1929.
Aerial photo of Waikiki, with Diamondhead in the background,1930.
Guests stand outside the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in 1928.
Waikiki Beach, 1935.
Military members spend time in a courtyard at the Moana Surfrider Hotel during World War II, 1942-45.
This postcard photo shows people lounging in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, also known as the "Pink Palace."
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