We have a wonderful episode for you today, the story of the Hawaiian princess who came to San Francisco to open a nightclub where she could sing. We will again encounter lawyer Jake Ehrlich, of course. The McDonough Brothers, who controlled all the vice in the city, Chief of Police William Quinn and his corrupt Captain Fred Lemon at Central Station, also make appearances.
The Princess came to California in 1930. In 1933, she opened the Club Kilokawa on Bush St., full of pictures of Diamondhead and Waikiki Beach, palm fronds, coconuts, and prostitutes in grass skirts. It was very popular place.
However, the Princess refused to make the payments to the McDonough Brothers’ graft machine and drama ensued. Ulimately, the Princess made some remarks to the press after a Grand Jury appearance. Her short speech led to the creation of Atherton Report of 1937, which shook Frisco to her core almost as badly as the great quake of 1906.
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