We keep getting asked...... ......where did it all begin? The Hawaiian or "Aloha Shirt" that is. Well there are probably as many stories about its beginnings as there are about "Big Foot" and "flying saucers". However, one thing that is for certain, Tommy Bahama or Ralph Lauren had nothing to due with it. The one common denominator with the stories is that this all began in the early 30's by a man named Ellery Chun. Chun was born in Hawaii in 1909 and died June 2000 at the age of 91 (no finger counting required). Also, Mr. Chun was the person for coining the frase "Aloha Shirt". For many years before this, locals where making a similar styled shirt for their families and friends but he was the man that made it famous and we do mean famous. Hands down the "Aloha Shirt" is the noted as the most recognizable clothing style the world over. The story goes on to tell of collaboration between a salesperson of the Honolulu Advertiser Newspaper and Mr. Chun to coin the phrase "Aloha Shirt". The future success of the Aloha Shirt was assured after placing one of his sister's designed, short-sleeved shirts in his shop's window with a sign that read "Aloha Shirt". This all began when he and his sister fashioned a rather loose fitting short sleeved shirt from some brightly colored left-over kimono fabric. They hung it in the shop's front window with a sign that read "Aloha Shirt" and the rest is history. Then on July 15, 1936 he registered the name "Aloha" as a trade name and began marketing a variety of these brightly colored shirts. With this a whole new industry was created for the islands and one in which the islands take much pride. The shirts where scooped up by the local residents and surfers at first because of their comfort in the warm climate. The tourists then followed and wanted to be part of the whole scene. Then after WWII ended many of the military personel that where stationed there further spread the word as they returned home with their own collection.... More to follow in the next letter................
