The very first store is located on a stretch of road between Lihue and Kapaa on the Island of Kauai. The sign out front reads, "Kaluna Hawaii Sportswear". The first store was the birth of an idea for a fun, profitable Hawaiian business venture.

The company expands, acquiring resort shops throughout the state.

With expansion came the need for more manufacturing capabilities, so the company purchased the Margolis Manufacturing and Retail Company in Hilo, along with the rights to the Hilo Hattie name.

Hilo Hattie herself, Clarissa Haili, was born on October 28,1901. Everyone called her Clara. She began her career as a School Teacher but it was her singing and dancing that gave her a place in modern history. She popularized the comic hula style with such tunes as "The Cock-Eyed Mayor of Kaunakakai," "Princess Pupule Has Plenty Papayas," and "When Hilo Hattie Does the Hula Hop." Clara "Hilo Hattie" Nelson died in 1979, happy that her name was to be carried on by a quality company that continued to generate the Aloha Spirit.

Each year, Pomare Ltd. dba Hilo Hattie gives 9 scholarships valued at $1,000 each to promising and deserving students at any accredited U.S. college or university.

Hilo Hattie's new headquarters, an 80,000 square foot, $7 million showroom, manufacturing center and warehouse, opens at 700 N. Nimitz Highway. The structure has won several beautification awards and houses the corporate offices of Pomare and Hilo Hattie, 30,000 square feet of retail space, a distribution center and the larger of the company's two manufacturing plants. Annual sales reach $30 million, and approximately 750,000 garments are manufactured and sold.

New Maui store opens in February in the new Lahaina Shopping Center, with 13,900 square feet of retail space.

Hilo Hattie installs state-of-the-art AccuMark 300 pattern design, grading and marking computers and GERBERcutter and GERBERspreader systems by Gerber Garment Technology (GGT), making it the State's only manufacturer to utilize this latest technology in garment design and production.

The new Hilo store opens in June, with 12,000 square feet of retail space.

A separate building houses 5,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Hilo Hattie employees number over 400 on four islands, and Hilo Hattie showrooms host 1,000,000 visitors per year.

Jim Romig is named "Retailer of the Year" by the Retail Merchants of Hawaii.

Hilo Hattie diversifies and opens a new jewelry center in its Oahu store, bringing retail space to 22,900 square feet.

Hilo Hattie receives the Kahili Award as "The Best Attraction in Hawaii' by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Hilo Hattie develops its Internet site at  www.hilohattie.com

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.

Jim Romig named 1998 Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young LLP.

In November, Hilo Hattie opens its mega 20,000 square foot store in Orange, California.

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 Vana White's clothes, Wheel of Fortune TV Show. Hilo Hattie opens 18,000 square foot store in Kihei, Maui on December 10.

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 2002. Hilo Hattie is awarded "The Official Retailer for the Aloha Festivals." Hilo Hattie welcomes over 2,500,000 visitors and Locals to its stores in Hawaii, making it one of Hawaii's largest shopping destinations. Hilo Hattie re-launches Internet we b site at www.HiloHattie.com in July 2002, division reaches $1,000,000 in revenue.

Hilo Hattie is awarded "Official Retailer" for Hawaii's three leading festivals: Honolulu Festivals, Pan-Pacific Festival and Aloha Festival. On March 16, Hilo Hattie Owner, Jim Romig is installed into Hawaii Business Hall of Fame for creating a company that today employs over 500 employees and is listed as one of the largest, top 100 corporations in the State of Hawaii. Hilo Hattie voted #1 in Aloha Wear for the second consecutive year by State's leading newspapers from their Reader's Survey's, 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 to co-sponsor their "Halfway to Hawaii" Contest. Each day 5,000 coupons are distributed in-flight. Hilo Hattie teams up with Hawaiian Airlines and signs a multi year marketing agreement to provide in-flight promotions that would change every quarter. Hilo Hattie signs a three year 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.

Still Owned and operated by the original founder of Hilo Hattie, Jim Romig. Hilo Hattie voted "Best Place for Aloha Wear" for the fourth year in a row by the readers of the state's five leading newspapers. August, Hilo Hattie signs a marketing agreement with Malama Pono Ltd., owner of the Duke Kahanamoku trademark name, to develop exclusive Duke Kahanamoku merchandise. Hilo Hattie expands its home accessories product line. Hilo Hattie renews marketing agreements as the "Official Retailer" for Honolulu Festivals, Pan Pacific Festival, Aloha Festivals and the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. Hilo Hattie acquires his own mini buses on Kauai, Maui, Kona & Hilo.