Fine vibrant colors, signed and dated August 1941 at lower right. A view of ships arriving and perhaps preparing to depart Honolulu in the first summer following the start of WW II. The docks are not busy, but one lei seller has arrived perhaps to meet some visitors who may be coming or going from the ships.  The vessel on the right, with the black smokestack is probably of the Matson passenger liners.  After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, Matson's ships in the Pacific were recommissioned for as troop transport ships to move US forces around the Pacific theater.