A little history behind the custom behind "Aloha Friday". According to my father whom did his best to explain to a then 8 year old curious little girl that asked every question under the sun....What began in the 60's as a campaign to promote Hawaii's garment industry became a worldwide phenomenon known as Aloha Friday to us and Casual Friday's to the rest of the world.
From what I could remember from that conversation and the all knowing Wikipedia, The Hawaii Fashion Guild wanted to promote Aloha-wear as suitable workplace attire especially during the very hot and humid summer months in Hawaii.
The Guild gave 2 aloha shirts to every member of the Hawaii House of Representatives and the State Senate.
The following taken from Wikipedia:
Subsequently, a resolution passed in the Senate recommending aloha attire be worn throughout the summer, beginning on Lei Day, which is May 1st. The wording of the resolution spoke of letting "...the male populace return to 'aloha attire' during the summer months for the sake of comfort and in support of the 50th state's garment industry."
In 1965, Bill Foster, Sr., president of the Hawaii Fashion Guild, led the organization in a campaign lobbying for "Aloha Friday", a day employers would allow men to wear aloha shirts on the last business day of the week a few months out of the year. Aloha Friday officially began in 1966, and young adults of the 1960s embraced the style, replacing the formal business wear favored by previous generations. By 1970, aloha wear had gained acceptance in Hawaii as business attire for any day of the week.
So....Have a Happy ALOHA Friday and a wonderful weekend to boot!
Mahalo for visiting. See you again soon. ~Amber
