With President Barack Obama having been born on Oahu, common sense says an aloha shirt. However that’s far from certain.
“This is not gonna be our decision,” said Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, a member of the APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee. “This is will be actually a State Department and White House decision about whether or not to go ahead with the shirt.”
Ever since President Bill Clinton handed out bomber jackets during the APEC summit on Blake Island off Seattle in 1993, the host country has provided garments to Asia-Pacific leaders that reflect the native culture. The only exception occurred last year in Yokohama, Japan when leaders wore dark business suits.
Many in Hawaii hope the APEC tradition of “local” dress makes a comeback later this fall.
In preparation for the Honolulu summit local companies began submitting applications in December for a unique aloha shirt design appropriate for heads of state.
“It’s gotta be done right,” Schatz told Khon2. “It’s gotta reflect Hawaii; it’s gotta be done by a local designer (and) it’s gotta be made here because we don’t want us to be represented in an incorrect fashion.”
About a dozen local companies and designers are competing for the honor of having their aloha shirt seen by the world. Roughly 2,000 members of the world media are expected to cover Leaders’ Week in Honolulu from November 7 – 13.
Among those competing are Hilo Hattie and Tori Richard, two of the most famous aloha shirt brands in Hawaii.
Hilo Hattie instituted the help of local designer Amos Kotowari, who’s aloha shirt designs are featured at Neiman Marcus in a special collection under his name.
“He lent his design and signature to a special product just for APEC,” said Mark Storger, Hilo Hattie’s chief operating officer. “We went with something very authentic and traditional Hawaiian.”
Josh Feldman, president and CEO of Tori Richard, hinted his company’s design is something APEC leaders would be comfortable wearing in just about any social setting.
He said the aloha shirt has come a long way since it was first introduced in Hawaii by Ellery Chun in the 1930’s.
“It doesn’t have to scream Hawaii, but it’s certainly suggestive of it,” said Feldman. “The beauty of the product is it can work anywhere.”
Schatz had no timeline as to when the State Department and the White House would decide on an official APEC garment, but he said those in charge are currently reviewing all of the aloha shirt proposals.
“We’re very proud of our aloha shirts and rightly so,” said the lieutenant governor. “It’s one of those things that may not seem very important but it’s really critical that we get this one right.”
Just last week Gov. Neil Abercrombie proclaimed 2011 as the 75th Anniversary of the Aloha Shirt. Whether President Obama plays along during the APEC summit remains to be seen.
“I certainly know he understands how important it is to our culture but I just don’t know whether he’s gonna go for the aloha shirt or something a little bit more western and traditional,” said Schatz.
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See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
