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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Original papers of Dec. 7, ‘41, do not say so
Question:
I have a Honolulu Star-Bulletin 1st Extra Edition with the headline "WAR! Oahu Bombed by Japanese Planes." The paper is in quite good condition. Is there any value to this paper? If there is, can you please let me know? I live in International Falls, Minn.
Answer: The Star-Bulletin frequently is asked about the worth of that Dec. 7, 1941, edition, one of three editions printed that day.
In all likelihood, you've got a reprint, although a total of 250,000 newspapers originally were printed.
Former Editor John Flanagan did a humorous take on the regular queries he received about the paper's value -- see https://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/06/24/editorial/flanagan.html -- noting "tens of thousands of the keepsakes have been sold over the decades."
As Flanagan said, the paper is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
Even today, anyone can buy a reprint online from the Arizona Memorial Museum Association. Go to www.arizonamemorialbookstore.org and click on "gift ideas."
For $1.75, you can buy the front-page reprints of the three extra editions of the Star-Bulletin from Dec. 7, 1941.
Burl Burlingame, the Star-Bulletin's resident World War II expert, passed on this information:
"Within a week of the attack, the Star-Bulletin was selling reprints of the 'WAR!' first edition. These are 'authentic reprints' from the time period. Thousands were sold. Real Dec. 7 papers are VERY rare."
Burlingame said there's an easy way to determine whether you've got an authentic "WAR!" edition.
"That Sunday paper was actually a reprint of the Saturday paper, and the back pages are identical to the Saturday edition except up in the folio line at the top of the page," he said.
"These pages don't have a date on them. If it says 'Dec. 7, 1941,' at the top of the inside pages, then it's a reprint."
The Star-Bulletin's account of the bombing of Pearl Harbor is notable, since the rival Honolulu Advertiser did not publish a paper on that date because of a broken gear on its printing press.
The Star-Bulletin allowed the Advertiser to use its presses to publish the next day. The result, however, was an erroneous headline and story that proclaimed "Saboteurs Land Here!"
Mahalo
To the couple at City Mill in Kaimuki who graciously offered to help me deliver a new door to my apartment in Waikiki. Craig (who works for Longs Drugs corporate) and Tanya overheard me asking the sales associate questions on delivery and fees. They were standing in line with me and I made a remark to them that I shouldn't have sold my truck last week. Craig, without hesitating, said he wouldn't mind at all helping to deliver the door. I protested, but he politely insisted and wouldn't take no for an answer. Craig and Tanya are true role models for the aloha spirit that I often forget about in this busy day and age. I want to publicly thank this kind couple who on a Saturday afternoon took time out of their busy lives to help a complete stranger. It means a lot to me. They are inspiring and I look forward to returning the favor to someone in need one day. -- Jayme Newell
Got a question or complaint? Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
See also: Useful phone numbers