Fernandez emerged from WWII leading morale efforts in U.S.

Most of you have heard of E.K. Fernandez. The company that bears his name has brought circuses, carnivals and fairs to Hawaii since 1903. This week I thought I’d write about how his company survived World War II.

“In December of 1941, E.K. Fernandez had the circus set up at Schofield Army Barracks,” Rose Fernandez said in a 1998 interview with the industry publication the Showmen’s League of America Yearbook. Rose was E.K.’s wife.

“E.K. was actively involved in entertaining the American Army troops on the island and naval personnel from Pearl Harbor. The show had two large tents up on Schofield Barracks. On Saturday night, Dec. 6, the Army called an alert. The show played its performance to a nearly empty big top.”

At 7:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, the United States, the Hawaiian Islands and the rest of the world were changed forever. As Japanese fighter planes darkened the skies over the placid islands, some directed bombs at Pearl Harbor. Others in a well-planned and calculated attack flew over Schofield Barracks and four other bases.

Rose remembers that fateful morning.

“We were all a little nervous Saturday night when the Army called the alert. E.K. just kept saying, ‘Nothing will happen. They (the Japanese forces) don’t have the guts.’”

Early that Sunday morning, E.K got the call that Pearl Harbor was being bombed. He got hold of a couple of men who worked on the show, and together they went out to Schofield and led the animals out of the tents while the Japanese were strafing the tents with bullets.

“We found out later that the Japanese pilots, from their vantage point, thought those big tents must be hiding military equipment. E.K. and the boys saved every animal we had in the circus.”

E.K. Fernandez, his tents badly damaged in the attack, nevertheless lived up to his reputation as a premier showman by fulfilling his next contracted date on Dec. 9 at an island school.

“That was the first time we’ve ever had to play blacked out,” Rose said.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

As it did for many industries, World War II changed the way business was conducted by E.K. Fernandez. Some circus performers were German nationals. They were immediately arrested. The show was using several Japanese-American acts as well. They fared better than their mainland counterparts by adopting Chinese names whenever they performed.

E.K. Fernandez’s talent and boundless energy were put to a crucial test during the war years as he struggled to keep both the circus and carnival open. He was determined that his shows would not become another victim of war.

Stiff restrictions were imposed on the islands by the military. Theaters were ordered closed. Radio broadcasts were carefully monitored. Supplies of every kind were under strict ration.

Hawaii residents and the vast American military contingency stationed on the islands suddenly found little to do to occupy their leisure moments. Hopeful eyes turned to the man who had entertained the people of Hawaii for nearly 50 years.

Meeting with War Department officials, E.K. begged and pleaded to be allowed to continue his performances, Rose recalled.

He told them, “Let’s do something. Just give me a vacant lot to set up.”

With that, E.K. found himself appointed chairman and director of the civil defense recreation committee.

E.K. Fernandez Shows’ circuses and carnivals entertained more than 7,000 people a day for six months and raised more than $100,000 for the Army Emergency Relief Association. The price of admission to the show was the purchase of a war bond. (War bonds were sold to help the U.S. finance the war.)

It wasn’t widely known at the time how the show seemed to make a profit during those years.

“Simply, it never did,” Rose said. “All money had been donated through bonds. The show remained open only because E.K. mortgaged his personal property and borrowed $50,000. He never profited during the war years. Others profited because of him in the moments of fun and laughter he gave them.”

A HOUSEHOLD NAME AT HOME

As the war raged on in the Pacific, E.K. Fernandez continued entertaining the community and troops. His work was considered so vital to the war effort that he was allowed to continue booking acts from the mainland through the USO.

It was entertainment that people never tired of, and their gratitude was unmistakable. Years later E.K. explained to Rose that the war made him feel a certain responsibility to his employees, his friends, the people of the islands and the servicemen en route to the Pacific theater.

By war’s end E.K. had become nearly a household name in homes throughout America.

“Parents, wives, girlfriends and families of the servicemen learned about E.K. Fernandez through the letters the boys sent home,” Rose said.

“Soldiers and sailors in the islands attended the shows in their free time — for many the very last circus and carnival they would ever enjoy. Literally hundreds of thousands of servicemen left Hawaii happier because they’d been entertained by an E.K. Fernandez show.”

Bob Sigall, author of “The Companies We Keep” series of books, looks through his collection of old photos to tell stories of Hawaii people, places and companies. Contact him via email at sigall@yahoo.com.