Members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation may be exclusively from the minority party, lack seniority in the House and Senate and have to work harder than most to be relevant. But the most junior member of the delegation, U.S. Rep. Mark Takai, has made a bold move that could bring one of Hawaii’s most popular and visible traditions to Washington — indeed, to the very floor of the House of Representatives.

Takai has asked Speaker Paul Ryan to amend House rules to allow aloha shirts to be worn on the House floor on Fridays — a clothing choice that has been the official Friday custom in Hawaii for 50 years — rather than the full business attire currently required. Over his first year in office, Takai has consistently observed Aloha Fridays, inviting colleagues to his office for pau hana where Hawaiian food and hospitality are on hand in healthy supply.

But when House votes occur on a Friday, Takai finds it hard to get into the usual spirit of the day encumbered by a suit and tie.

“Since your ascent to the Speakership, you have promised a variety of reforms in the House of Representatives,” said Takai’s letter, in part. “I would like to now draw your attention to a recommendation that I have which will support small business and promote a unique Hawaiian custom in the United State House of Representatives, Aloha Friday.”

Takai called aloha shirts a “tangible symbol of the Aloha Spirit” that stand for “diversity, inclusion and friendliness.” “Embracing the aloha shirt will allow members to embrace the aloha spirit — something that Washington could use a little more of,” said Takai.

While there’s been no response yet from the speaker’s office, Takai’s request may face better-than-expected odds: Ryan is already pushing the fashion envelope, as the first speaker to sport a beard since Frederick Huntington Gillett, who led the House from 1919 to 1925.

The full text of Takai’s letter is as follows:

Dear Speaker Ryan,

Since your ascent to the Speakership, you have promised a variety of reforms in the House of Representatives. I would like to now draw your attention to a recommendation that I have which will support small business and promote a unique Hawaiian custom in the United States House of Representatives, Aloha Friday.

The modern Aloha shirt began in 1931; they were sold from a Chinese dry goods shop owned by Ellery Chun. Within a year every local retailer and designer began manufacturing and selling Aloha shirts, all of them made and designed in Hawaii. From whimsical designs of ukuleles and surfers to muted designs of plumeria and taro leaves, the Aloha shirt shows a love for all things Hawaii.

In 1962, the Hawaiian Fashion Guild began to promote Aloha shirts for the workplace. It began by distributing Aloha shirts to every Member of the Hawaii State House of Representatives and Hawaii State Senate. Aloha shirts quickly became popular, with Aloha Friday quickly rising to prominence, officially beginning in 1966 and by 1970, Aloha shirts had gained mainstream acceptance and is now considered business attire for any day of the week in Hawaii. On the floor of the Hawaii State House and Senate, the Aloha Shirt is worn every Friday.

The Aloha shirt is a tangible symbol of the Aloha Spirit – it embraces diversity, inclusion and friendliness that pervades throughout the State of Hawaii. Its influence extends past the Pacific as many American icons including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Arthur Godfrey, Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower were known for their fondness of the Aloha shirt.

Today, Aloha shirts are more popular than ever. What started off in a small store on North King St. in Honolulu is now a major fashion enterprise and a half a billion dollar a year industry.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you to allow Aloha shirts to be worn on the House floor on Fridays. Embracing the Aloha shirt will allow members to embrace the Aloha Spirit – something that Washington could use a little more of.

Sincerely,

MARK TAKAI
Member of Congress