Kahop’s Hawaii, 1937

Part of the Arthur and Kate Tode (Kahop) Collection, this 1937 unedited Ansco film, faded per Kate’s notes, captures staged Hawaiian dances for tourists—possibly a contest, given numbered teams. Kate poses with dancers in leis, while a bird sculpture and crab masquerade add whimsy. Shot from a ship, Hawaii’s coastline unfolds, ending with a steep waterfall. Preserved by the Penn Museum, this silent reel blends cultural spectacle with natural beauty from the Todes’ travels.