The White Ships: 1930's Matson Hawaii Cruise Lines on BITV

[hedablinka]

It just dawned on me but these ships were all "first class"--the Trans-At ships were at least two or three classes, with steerage or tourist class. The effect of this, before planes, was that ordinary people--and poor people--were excluded from the Islands, and from getting to the mainland. I've never heard this aspect discussed, but I wonder to what extent the all first class nature of the Matson steamers was intended to "segregate" by socio-economic class, and keep the "riff raff' at home?

[hedablinka]

What a wonderful video--although I don't know why it takes so much buffering to watch. I've been wanting to buy this book, but wow--such great videos!