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Fantastic panorama of Honolulu, taken from Punchbowl Crater and looking south.

The wide-angle panorama stretches from Diamond Head at the left of the image through to Pearl Harbor at the right, with the hills around Kapolei visible in the distance.The resolution on the image is impressive, with many individual houses, businesses, factories, ships, roads, cars and other features present throughout.

Next to the large water tank at the right of the map stands the pineapple tower stands over the Dole canning factory. A cleverly camouflaged water tank, it was built by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Co. for architect Charles William Dickey's design. It was constructed in 1928 and represented the tallest building in Honolulu when completed. The pineapple started a small trend, with the Gerber Baby Food Jar and the Sir Walter Raleigh Tobacco Can shortly after being erected above their respective factories.

In the early 1940s, the development of Honolulu was significantly shaped by its strategic importance during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the city underwent rapid changes to support the military effort. Military installations were expanded, and new facilities were constructed, leading to a boom in construction jobs and a surge in the local economy. The population grew as military personnel and defense workers moved to the area. This period also saw the development of infrastructure, including roads and harbors, to accommodate the increased military and civilian activities. The wartime environment fostered a sense of community and shared purpose among the diverse population of Honolulu, but it also brought challenges such as housing shortages and inflation. The city's landscape, economy, and social fabric were all deeply influenced by these unique circumstances, laying the groundwork for Honolulu's post-war growth and development.

We trace the Dancy Photo Service as being active in the early 1940s based on the dating of other photographs that they produced.