Edward G. Robinson (1893-1973), one of Hollywood’s all-time movie “tough guys,” visited Kaua‘i with his wife and son from July 19-21, 1946 during his heyday as a motion picture actor. The Robinsons stayed at the Lihu‘e Hotel on Rice Street,
Edward G. Robinson (1893-1973), one of Hollywood’s all-time movie “tough guys,” visited Kaua‘i with his wife and son from July 19-21, 1946 during his heyday as a motion picture actor.
The Robinsons stayed at the Lihu‘e Hotel on Rice Street, where Kalapaki Villas is now located, following their arrival on Friday, and Robinson’s appearance at the Hale Aina restaurant that evening in Nawiliwili raised quite a stir.
Manji Ouye, the proprietor of the restaurant, humorously put it this way: “Boy! Was I relieved to see him with the lady and the boy. When he first came in, I was certain he was here to muscle in on my racket.”
Yet, unlike the sinister gangsters he portrayed on the silver screen, Robinson was actually a quiet, sensitive and articulate man noted for his courtesy and generosity. At Hale Aina, he took the time to sign the autographs and shake the hands of each and every person that approached him.
On Saturday morning, while waiting in the courtyard of the hotel before traveling up to Hanalei, he noted that “Your islands have a beauty that is all their own. There is something about your mountains, your trees and flowers that sets them apart.”
But his main interest was the people of Hawai‘i.
“The harmonious intermingling of all the races you have here is wonderful. The East and the West have met and Kipling’s phrase ‘East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet’ does not apply to Hawai‘i. You can be proud of this accomplishment and I hope that nothing ever mars it.”
Robinson made over 100 films during his long acting career, including “Key Largo” with Humphrey Bogart in 1948, and “The Cincinnati Kid” with Steve McQueen in 1965.
