Island History

Bob Hope’s 1944 Kaua‘i USO tour

The United Service Organizations was established at the request of former President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941 to provide morale and recreational services for armed forces personnel.

By the time Bob Hope’s troupe visited Kaua‘i in 1944 during World War II, the USO operated more than 3,000 clubs worldwide that gave soldiers, sailors and Marines a home away from home and attracted numerous celebrities and volunteer performers.

On Kaua‘i, eight USO clubs were in service during 1944.  The Isenberg USO was located in the Lihu‘e Plantation recreation center; the Kapa‘a USO was famous for its waffle breakfasts, and the Waterfront USO at Nawiliwili was housed in a former skating rink. Other USOs were located at Hanalei, Koloa, Kalaheo, Hanapepe and Waimea.

Three Bob Hope shows were performed on Kaua‘i on Monday, July 17, 1944 during a whirlwind visit on his 30,000 mile, 150 performance tour of the Pacific Theater.

Hope’s jokes never failed to create laughter wherever he went and Kaua‘i was no exception.

He and his sidekick, Jerry Colonna, boasting a walrus mustache, pop-eyes, and loudspeaker voice, were a superb comedy team.

In one skit, Colonna was in the audience dressed in uniform and playing the part of a heckler. 

When Hope asked, “What were you before you joined the Army?”  Colonna’s poker-faced reply was, “Happy.”

Frances Langford’s signature song was “I’m in the Mood for Love.”

She was once quoted as saying, “Everywhere I went, it was the same thing.  I got up and sang about eight bars, and way in the back, some serviceman would stand up.  He’d say, ‘You’ve come to the right place, sister!’ They were such a wonderful audience.”

Hope also stood next to pretty dancer Patty Thomas and wisecracked, “I just want you boys to remember what you’re fighting for.”