History of Hilo Hattie

Origin of the Company Name

Where did we get our name? Hilo Hattie was the stage name for a very popular entertainer in Hawaii during the 1950’s and 1960’s. She was born Clarissa Haili on October 28, 1901, but everyone called her Clara. She began her career as a schoolteacher however it was her singing and dancing that gave her a place in modern Hawaii history. She popularized the comic hula style with such tunes as "Princess Pupule Has Plenty Papayas" and "When Hilo Hattie Does the Hula Hop".

Clara "Hilo Hattie" Haili passed away in 1979, happy that her name was to be carried on by a quality company that continued to generate the Aloha spirit. Each year, in memory and honor of Clara, Hilo Hattie gives UH scholarships to deserving students so they may continue their education in Hawaiian studies and music.

Hilo Hattie Today

Over the past 47 years, Hilo Hattie has grown into Hawaii’s largest retailer, manufacturer and wholesaler of Hawaiian fashions and gifts. Since 1963, over 60,000,000 visitors have shopped with Hilo Hattie, making Hilo Hattie the largest shopping attraction in Hawaii.

At Hilo Hattie, you’ll discover Hawaii’s largest selection of Hawaiian fashions, gifts, souvenirs, t-shirts, home & beach accessories, beauty products, gourmet foods and stunning Island jewelry. Hilo Hattie guarantees its shoppers the best values, largest selection of Made-in-Hawaii gifts and a 100% quality guarantee on thousands of Hawaiian products.

Come and discover our fun and unique "One Stop Hawaiian Shopping" experience. All shoppers receive:

  • Free Shell Lei Greeting
  • Complimentary Refreshments
  • Kona Coffee and Food Tasting
  • Largest selection of Made-in Hawaii gifts
  • Sarong Demonstrations
  • Free Transportation from Waikiki and most neighbor island hotels
  • Customer lounges
  • Worldwide Shipping Services
  • Exclusive fashions and gifts not found in any other store

Hilo Hattie is also the world’s largest retailer of Hawaiian resort and casual fashions offering hundreds of exclusive prints and styles only found at our Hilo Hattie stores located on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Sizes range from 6 month infants to 4T, Children's XXS to XL, Women's up to 3XL and Men's up to 5XL. Hilo Hattie even has its own exclusive family matching line of garments and deluxe silk fashions for men, women and children.

In addition, our company offers a vast array of Hilo Hattie labeled premium food products with a huge selection of our very own Hawaiian coffees, cookies, macadamia nuts, jams, jellies, sauces, tropical snacks, spices, syrups, and more. Custom gift and custom theme gift baskets are available to fit any budget.

Hilo Hattie’s new café “Da Kona Bean Café” located at its Nimitz flagship store is the place to relax and unwind with food and beverage unique to Hawaii, live entertainment showcasing the up and coming musical talents in Hawaii, and free WIFI to catch up on what’s happening at home and at work. Plenty of free on-site parking makes this a “must-stop” for locals and visitors alike.

While in Hawaii, please visit one of our seven stores conveniently located on all major islands. For more information call (800) 233-8912 or (808) 535-6500.

Corporate History

2010

  • Pomare, Ltd, parent company of Hilo Hattie opens a new concept store at Ala Moana Center mall level called Island Edge.
  • Hilo Hattie adds a cultural experience to its Nimitz flagship store with a new Hula studio and two large briefing rooms offered to tour operators and the public for free.
  • Hilo Hattie builds a "History of Aloha Wear" museum at its Nimitz flagship store featuring authentic aloha shirts from the 1930’s up through today’s contemporary aloha shirt.
  • Hilo Hattie constructs a Hawaiian style café at its Nimitz flagship store offering authentic Hawaiian flavored drinks and food, free WIFI access and live entertainment.
  • Hilo Hattie adds University of Hawaii Hilo Vulcan sports logo to its marketing agreement with the state university.
  • Hilo Hattie expands its offerings in the Uniform division and sells its private label products to retailers on the U.S. mainland through its Wholesale division.
  • Hilo Hattie adds an Import and Export division.

2009

  • Donald Kang, principal owner of Royal Hawaiian Creations, Hawaii’s largest manufacturer of Hawaiian wear, purchases Hilo Hattie’s parent company, Pomare, Ltd and is named President and Chief Executive Officer of Hilo Hattie.
  • Hilo Hattie is again voted "Best Place for Hawaiian Aloha Wear" by local residents of the six leading newspapers for the seventh straight year.
  • Hilo Hattie is awarded Best of Lahaina, Maui Ready-to-Wear Apparel.

2008

  • Hilo Hattie is awarded "Best Place for Hawaiian Aloha Wear" by the readers of the six leading newspapers in Hawaii for the sixth straight year.

2007

  • Hilo Hattie is awarded "Best Place for Hawaiian Aloha Wear" by the readers of the six leading newspapers in Hawaii for sixth straight years.
  • Hilo Hattie renews its marketing agreements as the "Official Retailer" for the Honolulu Festivals & Pan Pacific Festivals.
  • Hilo Hattie extends its agreement with United Airlines to sponsor their Halfway to Hawaii contest.
  • Hilo Hattie signs marketing agreement with Outrigger Hotels & Resorts for their new Beach Break promotion.
  • Hilo Hattie signs new in-flight marketing agreement with Continental Airlines & Alaska Airlines.
  • Hilo Hattie is voted "Best Place for Hawaiian Aloha Wear by the readers of the six leading newspapers for the fifth straight year.

2006

  • Hilo Hattie is voted "Best Place for Hawaiian Fashions" for the fourth year by the readers of the state’s five leading newspapers.
  • Hilo Hattie expands its home accessories products.
  • Hilo Hattie renews its marketing agreements as the "Official Retailer" for Honolulu Festivals, Pan Pacific Festival, Aloha Festivals and the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.
  • Hilo Hattie renews its marketing agreement with the University of Hawaii Athletic Department as the official provider of fashions for all sporting events.
  • Hilo Hattie renews its multi year agreement with the Honolulu Symphony Pops.

2005

  • Hilo Hattie signs a marketing agreement with Sam Choy, one of Hawaii’s leading chefs, to offer exclusive merchandise under his label.
  • United Airlines extends its marketing agreement with Hilo Hattie to include all Japan to Honolulu flights.
  • China and Eva Airlines sign in-flight marketing agreements with Hilo Hattie.
  • Hilo Hattie is awarded Bank of Hawaii’s statewide uniform program.
  • Hilo Hattie expands its private label food products to include a broad array of jams, jellies, syrups, coffee, cookies, candy and more.
  • Hilo Hattie wholesale division launches its new "Hula Doll" fashion collection.
  • Hilo Hattie is awarded "Official Retailer" for the Sheraton Bowl, Honolulu Festivals, Pan Pacific Festivals and Aloha Festivals.

2004

  • Hilo Hattie is awarded "Official Retailer" for Hawaii’s three leading festivals: Honolulu Festivals, Pan-Pacific Festival and Aloha Festival.
  • Hilo Hattie is voted #1 in Hawaiian Aloha Wear for the second consecutive year by the State’s leading newspapers from their Reader’s Surveys, according to Oahu’s Honolulu Star Bulletin Newspaper, Midweek, Big Island’s Hawaii Tribune Herald, Kauai’s Garden Isle Newspaper and Honolulu Weekly.Hilo Hattie teams up with United Airlines and Mauna Loa to cosponsor the "Halfway to Hawaii" in-flight contest.
  • Hilo Hattie teams up with Hawaiian Airlines to sign a multiyear marketing agreement to launch in-flight promotions that would change every quarter.
  • Hilo Hattie signs a marketing agreement with University of Hawaii Athletic Department to become "The Official Provider of Aloha Fashions" for the UH Coaches and athletic personnel for all sporting events.
  • Hilo Hattie is awarded both the Kamehameha School and Maryknoll School uniform programs.

2003

  • Hilo Hattie is awarded the uniform contract of Hawaii’s largest Hotel and Condominium chains, Aston Hotels & Resorts. .
  • Hilo Hattie becomes the "Official Retailer" for our State’s three largest Festivals: Honolulu Festival, Aloha Festival and the Pan Pacific Festival. .
  • Hilo Hattie voted #1 in Hawaiian Fashions by the state’s four leading newspapers from their Reader’s Survey’s, according to Oahu’s Honolulu Star Bulletin Newspaper, Midweek, Big Island’s Hawaii Tribune Herald and Kauai’s Garden Isle Newspaper. .
  • Hilo Hattie receives Ho’okela "Resort Retailer of The Year" award from Retail Merchants.
  • Governor Linda Lingle gives Hilo Hattie a Proclamation making October 28, 2003 Hilo Hattie Day in Hawaii "in recognition in the significant impact Hilo Hattie has had on Hawaii’s retail industry since opening its doors forty years ago." .

2002

  • Hilo Hattie signs agreement with Maui Divers Jewelry in February becoming Hilo Hattie’s official Jewelry concessionaire in all stores.
  • Hilo Hattie becomes a marketing partner with Disney for launch of Lilo & Stitch movie.
  • Hilo Hattie becomes "The Official Retailer" of Kintetsu’s Annual Pan-Pacific Festival held in June
  • Hilo Hattie is awarded "The Official Retailer of The State of Hawaii’s Aloha Festivals."
  • Hilo Hattie re-launches Internet web site at www.HiloHattie.com in July 2002.

2001

  • Hilo Hattie creates a new deluxe line of silk fashions for men and women.
  • Island Soap and Candle Works factory is added to its Nimitz flagship store, Honolulu.
  • Hilo Hattie launches both a uniform and wholesale division.

2000

  • Hilo Hattie is awarded with the Retail Merchants of Hawaii’s Oahu "Retailer of the Year" Award. Hilo Hattie was also awarded the "Specialty Retailer of the Year" from the State of Hawaii.
  • Hilo Hattie becomes sponsor of Vanna White’s clothes, Wheel of Fortune TV Show.
  • Hilo Hattie opens its second Maui store in at Pi’ilani Village, Kihei, and Maui on December 10.

1999

  • Guinness Book of World Records certifies Hilo Hattie’s 400XL Aloha shirt as the "World’s Largest Aloha Shirt". The Aloha shirt is displayed at the Nimitz flagship store.
  • Hilo Hattie signs a marketing agreement as the "Official Provider of Hawaiian and Resort Wear" for Baywatch Hawaii, Pacific Blue and Destination Stardom.
  • Hilo Hattie receives an award for "The 1999 Marketer of the Year" by the American Marketing Association, Honolulu Chapter.
  • Hilo Hattie is awarded the Governor’s 1999 Exporter of the Year Award for "Exporter of Manufactured Products" and "Overall Exporter of the Year."
  • Hilo Hattie welcomes more than 2,000,000 visitors and locals to its stores in Hawaii, making it one of Hawaii’s largest shopping destinations.

1998

  • Hilo Hattie receives the Kahili Award as "The Best Retailer in Hawaii" by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. Hilo Hattie was recognized for creating a Fun-One-Stop-Hawaiian-Shopping-Experience.
  • Hilo Hattie offers a free shopping shuttle from Waikiki to its flagship Nimitz store, with optional drop offs at Aloha Tower Marketplace, Ward Center and Ala Moana Shopping Center

1997

  • Hilo Hattie opens a large format store at the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu.

1996

  • Hilo Hattie receives the Kahili Award as "The Best Attraction in Hawaii’ by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
  • Hilo Hattie is one of the first retailers in Hawaii to launch its internet site at www.hilohattie.com

1995

  • Hilo Hattie expands into the Eastbound and Kamaaina markets with new styles, updated and contemporary prints.
  • Company changes its name from Hilo Hattie Fashion Center to Hilo Hattie ~ The Store of Hawaii.

1994

  • Hilo Hattie diversifies into home accessories, Hilo Hattie labeled food products and stunning Island jewelry.

1993

  • Hilo Hattie is named the recipient of the Governor’s Cup Award from the Hawaii Fashion Industry Association as the "Hawaii Specialty Store of the Year".

1992

  • Hilo Hattie opens its second Big Island store in Hilo.
  • Hilo Hattie stores host more than 1,000,000 visitors per year.

1991

  • Hilo Hattie is the recipient of the "Governor’s Cup Award" from the Hawaii Fashion Industry Association, Hawaii General Retailer of the Year and Hilo Hattie also wins the Hawaii Visitor Bureau’s Five Kahili Award.

1990

  • Hilo Hattie’s first Maui store opens in the new Lahaina Shopping Center.

1986

  • Hilo Hattie opens its Kailua-Kona store on the Big Island of Hawaii.

1983

  • Hilo Hattie’s new headquarters, a 90,000 square foot showroom, manufacturing center and warehouse, opens at 700 North Nimitz Highway. The structure has won several beautification awards and houses the corporate offices of Pomare and Hilo Hattie, retail space, distribution center and Hawaii’s largest apparel manufacturing plant.
  • Hilo Hattie’s Kona store opens with 9,016 square feet of retail space.
  • Hilo Hattie’s Maui store opens in the new Lahaina Shopping Center, with 13,900 square feet of retail space

1982

  • Hilo Hattie opens a large store in Lihue, Kauai.

1979

  • With expansion came the need for more manufacturing capacity, so the company purchased the Margolis Manufacturing and Retail Company in Hilo, along with the rights to the Hilo Hattie name.
  • Each year, Hilo Hattie creates scholarships for promising students at any accredited U.S. college or university.
  • All the retail store names were changed to Hilo Hattie Fashion Center

1966 – 1969

  • The Company expands, acquiring resort shops throughout the state.

1965

  • The first manufacturing center opened in Honolulu where the Ward Warehouse is today. It was called "Hawaiian Wear Unlimited." At this time, the company began shuttling visitors from Waikiki into the facility everyday (with one van!) and became known as home of the "$3.95 Aloha Shirt."

1963

  • The very first Hilo Hattie store was opened by Jim Romig on a stretch of road between Lihue and Kapaa on the Island of Kauai. The sign out front read, "Kaluna Hawaii Sportswear". The first store was the birth of an idea for a retail store that specialized in Made-in-Hawaii fashions and gifts.

Corporate Affiliations Include:

  • American Society Travel Association
  • American Management Association
  • Activities & Attractions Assoc. of Hawaii
  • Hawaii Chamber of Commerce
  • Hawaii Fashion Guild Hawaii Hotel Association
  • Hawaii Sales and Marketing Association
  • Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau
  • Meeting Professionals International
  • Oahu Visitors Bureau
  • Pacific Asia Travel Association
  • SKAL International