I have a very similar photo of my great grandparents leaving Amarillo, TX in 1932, but they had mattresses and rugs tied to the top and front. My grandmother was 1 month old and made the trip from TX to SoCal in a dresser drawer in the back seat.

Our family lived and thrived in the Los Angeles area until just the last few years. With the cost of living and insane population growth, nearly all of us “kids” have moved away, either to Idaho or Northern California.

I cannot believe that 90 years ago, SoCal was the Promise Land.

I had good experiences there, but I came there already knowing someone and quickly made friends. It’s definitely not Maui in terms of catering to tourism. I had some uncomfortable moments. The people I knew who were employed… a plumeria farm owner who supplied leis to hotels on Maui, a tower maintenance dude who climbed those massively tall towers, a construction worker, a pastor, someone who worked at the airport. Many were on the government dole. There really isn’t any industry there that I recall. Back then Maunaloa was still open for business though, some hotels were open. Sounds like they closed.

Most of the people I knew have moved to Oahu.

I dated a guy who lived on Molokai. Fond memories of taking his Suzuki Samurai to Halawa and sneaking to the waterfalls there. Won’t ever forget those fire ants.

Also, the bread dude! We’d go to that bakery in Kaunakakai late at night and bang on the back door for the hot bread.

What a lovely place. I spent a few months there but I haven’t been there since the 90s.

With a pinch of Prince

He had yellow eyes. YELLOW EYES!