Edithe Beutler: Beautifying Hawaii with Color

Edithe Beutler was one of the foremost American Colorists of the 20th century. Color film for photography was unavailable until 1942 when Kodak first released it to the public. Before then, photographs could only be taken in black and white, and fine artists were hired to colorize them. One of the best was Edithe. In the 1920s, her painting skills were sought after by universities, corporations, and Hollywood. In 1934, her partnership with Eastman Kodak in Hawaii marked a pivotal moment in her career. In Honolulu, she began teaching the public oil painting of black-and-white images of Hawaiian beaches and flowers, selling these colorized photos for Kodak, and painting geographical maps of the South Pacific for the US Government before WWII. Soon after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, she opened the first of three Color Art Shops. Edithe’s daughter, Sally, initially brought the family into the international spotlight as a Hollywood movie star. However, what shines through is Edithe’s immense pride in her daughter’s achievements, as evidenced by her collection of Sally’s movie photographs and the love and support she gave her daughter through her many difficulties. Sally’s movie images, along with Edithe’s colored depictions of Hawaii, exquisitely adorn this book that celebrates their bond. After a brief ＂retirement＂ spent traveling, Edithe returned to work with Blair’s of Waikiki, a prestigious wood carving company, where she dedicated twenty more years. Today, her oil-painted photographs from ninety years ago are highly coveted. Beyond her professional acclaim, Edithe’s resilience and determination shine through. Despite personal hardships, including marriages, her daughter’s estrangement, and job loss during the Great Depression, she persisted as the cornerstone of her family’s success. Edithe broke the societal norms of her time, excelling as an artist, entrepreneur, and matriarch, earning the affectionate nickname ＂Lovey＂ for her grace and care in all aspects of life. Edithe Beutler’s legacy is not just inspiring; it embodies defiance, artistry, and an indomitable spirit that continues to captivate audiences today. She remains a role model for women, transcending her era’s limitations to leave a lasting impact on art and entrepreneurship.

C.J. Cook is an award-winning author and historian specializing in South Pacific artists, mainly from Hawaii and Tahiti. His literary career began with ＂Tyree, Artist of the South Pacific＂ in 2017, which earned two Gold Awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) in 2018. Cook continued his exploration of Pacific artistry with ＂Leeteg, Babes, Bars, Beaches, and Black Velvet Art,＂ winning a Gold Medal for Best Biography from the IBPA in 2022. In 2023, he released ＂Beauty in the Beast, Flora, Fauna, and Endangered Species of Artist Ralph Burke Tyree,＂.

Robert L. Harned, raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, graduated from Punahou School and earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Hawaii. His educational background led to notable positions at the Library of Congress, the University of Pennsylvania, and various academic and law libraries in New York City. Passionate about family history, Harned authored several books, including ＂Sally Phipps, Silent Film Star＂ (2015), detailing his mother’s career in silent films, Broadway, and radio, and ＂A Magical Career: The Amazing Life of Albert Edward Bogdon＂ (2016).