Honolulu
AA-2026-2FC799
On the image
Maintaining perfect green grass in a tropical climate requires a certain dedication to the unnatural. Here, in the 1970s, a golf course in Hawaii offered manicured fairways and carefully sculpted sand traps, an oasis of improbable verdancy for those dedicated to hitting small white balls into small holes.
The surrounding hills are dotted with homes, each meticulously positioned to overlook this expanse of controlled nature. These dwellings, often purchased for their views, demonstrate a human tendency to admire the things we have altered for our own amusement, despite the implicit maintenance contracts involved.
Even with a dramatic sky looming overhead, the essential pursuit remains: creating and inhabiting these highly specific environments. It suggests that humanity feels the need to organise its recreation and its dwelling places into predictable, revenue-generating patterns, even in paradise.
The historian's note
This image captures a golf course landscape in Honolulu, Hawaii, during the 1970s, characterised by its tropical vegetation, including numerous palm trees, and sand traps. In the background, residential developments climb the slopes of the Koʻolau Range, illustrating the expansion of housing into prime scenic locations.
During the post-war period, and particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, Hawaii experienced significant tourism and residential development, much of it centred around leisure activities like golf. Golf courses became integral components of resort communities and luxury housing developments, offering both recreational facilities and desirable views for residents.
The photograph documents this era of growth, showing the juxtaposition of engineered recreational spaces with natural volcanic topography. It reflects the economic and social trends that shaped modern Hawaii, where tourism and real estate development increasingly influenced the landscape and economy.
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Honolulu Golf Course and Mountainside Residences, Hawaii, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-2FC799. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/honolulu-golf-course-and-mountainside-residences-hawaii-1970s.
@misc{aaAA20262FC799,
title = {Honolulu Golf Course and Mountainside Residences, Hawaii, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-2FC799},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/honolulu-golf-course-and-mountainside-residences-hawaii-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Honolulu Golf Course and Mountainside Residences, Hawaii, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-2FC799 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/honolulu-golf-course-and-mountainside-residences-hawaii-1970s ER -
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