Hawaii Shirt: A Bit of History
Watching a movie or TV show and you see someone wearing a Hawaiian shirt you instantly identify that state that is represented. These comfortable and colorful shirts often cause the person wearing the shirt to remember their last Hawaiian vacation or perhaps think of planning a trip. Anyone that has visited the islands, no matter how long ago remembers the trip with fond memories.
Have you ever wondered when the Hawaiian shirt became so recognizable? In the 1930’s Hawaii became a popular place to visit because of the beautiful islands and tropic weather, Hollywood became aware of it because air travel was expanding and stars and starlets could vacation in Hawaii and enjoy the great weather year round.
The islanders that inhabited the islands were not natives, but workers that came from the Philippines and Japan to work the sugar cane fields. It wasn’t long before it was discovered that the rich soil was perfect for growing pineapples as well. The workers brought with them their native clothing such as the Barong Tagalong and the Kimono. Both of these were relaxing and comfortable to wear and were made with bright colors. It wasn’t long before all the plantation workers and their children were wearing similar shirts.
Surfers began buying the shirts as fast as they were being made and when Hawaii became a state in 1959 the exposure of the 50th state of The United States gave them tons of exposure and everybody knew what a Hawaiian shirt, often called the Aloha shirt, looked like. Famous faces have been seen wearing them, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby and the character Magnum P.I. played by Tom Selleck.
There is one person that is largely responsible for the popularity the Hawaiian shirt has enjoyed, but the name may not be recognized by many people. The woman that had such an impact on the shirts popularity was Hilo Hattie. Her birth name was Clarissa Clara Haili and she was born in 1901. This woman had a natural gift for hula dancing and singing and she used her talents to entertain audiences. Even though she didn’t set out to be an actress she had roles in several movies and wore the well known Hawaiian shirt. She appeared in several episodes of Hawaii Five-O and had a role in Blue Hawaii that included kissing Elvis Presley.
Hilo Hattie was born in 1901 as Clarissa Clara Haili and worked as a schoolteacher while pursuing her entertainment career. The manner in which she wore the was associated with comfort since she was a mother that loved her life and living on the Hawaiian Islands.
She traveled the world entertaining people and played a role in Blue Hawaii with Elvis Presley. She also was featured in several episodes of Hawaii Five-O and was involved with fundraising for the Easter Seals Foundation. She never planned or sought roles in movies; it just happened that she was a perfect fit for the roles.
Hilo passed away in 1979 but her name was not buried with her, the largest manufacturer of Hawaiian shirts bought her name so it could live on. Now Hilo Hattie stores are the stores of Hawaii. If you buy a shirt from them Hilo’s name lives on with each stitch and colorful pattern and so will every memory you have while wearing one. Thanks Hilo, Aloha.
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April 06 2009 06:14 am | Vacations