Earlier this week, I ran across an item from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin’s Society page published on July 22, 1914. It describes a party put on by Meda’s grandfather, J. Lewis Renton, and his brother, Allan Renton. I don’t know if anyone gives parties like this any more. At the time, though, the Rentons’ party was just one in a string of society events, at least one each day over several weeks, many described in breathless tones on the society pages.

Allan Renton graduated from Oahu College (now known as Punahou School) the previous year. Lewis, several years older, had graduated from Cornell University in 1912. Neither was married.

Here’s how the Renton party was written up in the Star-Bulletin:

With the long series of brilliant dances which have kept the younger set in a mad whirl for the past two or three weeks it would be difficult to select on which suprassed all of the others, but one can say that the dance given by Mr. J. Lewis Renton and Mr. Allan Renton at their beautiful Ewa home last week ws one of the loveliest and most enjoyable affairs of the entire season. Every feature of the evening’s entertainment ha been carefully carried out to the most minute detail.

A special train filled iwth gay pleasure-seekers left Honolulu at half past seven. The ride out to the plantation was delightful, jests and laughter and the music of a popular quintette passing the time pleasantly. The train stopped at the Ewa crossing from which lights were strung to the entrance of the house and the guests passed along the brightly lighted avenue which was about two hundred yards long. Those who did not come in the train made the trip in automobiles.

The spacious dining room and parlors which were beautifully decorated in pink and green were thrown open for dancing. The young men wore sack suits which took the edge of formality off and all entered in for a good time. The music was inspiring, the floor excellent , and youth and beauty tripped the light fantastic in the most romantic and delightful of settings. Between dances the guests gathered on the lanai or strolled about the lawn, the light-colored gowns of the young ladies gleaming among the trees and folliage.

Some of the young men, less inclined to dancing, used their “off” dances to enjoy a swim in the large tank in the grounds.

Fruit punch was offered the guests throughout the evening, toward the end of which delicious refreshments were served on the lawn.

Dancing was merrily indulged in until half past one when the guests prepared to leave for Honolulu. They were again favored with music during the trip, arriving in town at 2:30 where taxis and automobiles awaited to convey them to their homes.

The Star-Bulletin also printed the Rentons’ guest list. Lots of prominent family names are found there.

I guess that was the state of social privilege in Hawaii a century ago.