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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, January 9, 2002

Our Honolulu
Travel troubles aren't new

By Bob Krauss
Advertiser Columnist

Airport security has tried the patience of many travelers since Sept. 11. For a bit of perspective on the subject, let me refer you to Sandra Kimberly Hall, who's researching a book, and Miles M. Jackson of Kane'ohe.

Weary of waiting for your luggage to go through inspection? Jackson submitted a newspaper clipping dated Feb. 15, 1901, that might make you feel better.

It says a steamer trunk checked in at the Union Station in Montgomery, Ala., bound for Birmingham turned up in Honolulu.

The story explained that the owner of the trunk had only to wait until it was shipped by steamer and railroad to Birmingham and he'd get it back again. Three weeks?

Hall has culled back copies of The Advertiser at the turn of the 20th century. A surprising number of stories sound familiar. Like the scares that turned out to be harmless.

On May 17, 1902, the Pacific Commercial Advertiser reported that the fire alarm went off in Honolulu at 10:30 p.m. It was a signal of general alarm blown to assemble the police force. But why in the middle of the night?

Excited officers galloped to the station. A crowd collected, but an armed officer wouldn't let them in. He didn't know why the bell rang. Even newspaper reporters were in the dark. Rumors flew of a plantation riot, a natural disaster.

High Sheriff Brown finally explained with satisfaction that 62 officers of the 76-man force had responded to his unannounced test, only 14 missing, and some were sick with an excuse. The story didn't say how citizens felt about it.

Hall's research indicates that travelers have had problems getting to their destinations for more than a century. The SS Australia boarded passengers in San Francisco for Honolulu in 1886. The vessel carried 40 cabin and more than 100 steerage passengers bound for Hawai'i.

The Australia backed from the dock as a man pushed frantically through the mob of people on the pier. "The ship can't go without me," he shouted. "I'm the barber. Who's going to shave the passengers? Take me off, take me off."

Two oarsmen bundled him into their boat and rowed after the departing ship. A fellow on shore gave odds on who would win the race but everybody had spent their money on liquor for the going-away party so nobody bet. The barber waved a towel, the ship slowed and he climbed on board.

It may be that our airline merger will spawn another crop of travel horror stories. Buck Mickelsen on Maui said he had a reservation and ticket to go home from Honolulu at 3:30 p.m. the day after Christmas. His flight got off at 5 p.m. after two gate changes, and his luggage arrived on Maui at 11 p.m.

A week later, he called on Monday for a reservation on Thursday to keep a medical appointment in Honolulu. He said there was no space available on any of the airlines. So he stayed home.

Reach Bob Krauss at 525-8073.