10 Modern Aloha Shirts You Need To Wear Now
This isn’t your grandfather’s aloha shirt.
Aloha shirts never go out of style—but they have gotten an upgrade lately, thanks to innovative local designers who have modernized the Island staple.
1. Kealopiko
Photos: Courtesy of Kealopiko
The trio behind Kealopiko put a lot of time and effort into its apparel, from screenprinting small batches by hand to creating designs that showcase Hawaiʻi’s diverse ecology and native culture. Its 100% organic linen shirts—button down, with a slimmer cut and coconut buttons—are the epitome of local chic. kealopiko.com
2. Fighting Eel
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Known for its comfy chic women’s apparel, Fighting Eel also boasts a line of popular aloha shirts for men and boys in its beloved—and original—prints.
3. Sig Zane
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Local designer Sig Zane blends his artful designs with his deep love for Hawaiian culture and native flora in all of his aloha apparel. Recently, the Hilo-based brand launched quick-dry shirts—no ironing needed!—made with a refined fabrication that’s super smooth and comfortable. sigzanedesigns.com
4. David Shepard Hawaiʻi
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Local designer and horticulturist David Shepard describes his brand as “place-based, mission-drive aloha wear,” with hand-drawn fabric art depicting Hawaiʻi’s native flora and fauna. A portion of proceeds support local conservation efforts, too. davidshepardhawaii.com
5. Reyn Spooner
Photos: Courtesy of Reyn Spooner
Reyn Spooner has been a local favorite for over 60 years, known for its craftsmanship and design. Its boasts a lineup of new and vintage designs, perfect for anyone who loves a classic aloha shirt with a modern fit. reynspooner.com
6. Manaola
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Hula practitioner and self-taught fashion designer Manaola Yap designs unique aloha shirts that capture the repetitive patterns seen in nature. Yap hand carves his designs into thin pieces of wood, which are used in a traditional Hawaiian stamping technique called ‘ohe kāpala. Each pattern is then digitized onto fabric for Manaola apparel lines. manaolahawaii.com
7. Manuhealiʻi
Photos: Courtesy of Manuhealiʻi
Started in 1985 in Kailua, Oʻahu, Manuhealiʻi specializes in contemporary Hawaiian apparel that’s easy to wear. It offers both pull-over and buttondown aloha shirts in vibrant colors and designs, including māmane (a native leguminous tree) and ʻulu (breadfruit). manuhealii.com
8. Tori Richard
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Tori Richard is the epitome of Hawaiʻi resort wear, manufacturing its aloha wear in Honolulu for more than 60 years. Its aloha shirts are crafted with the company’s signature and proprietary 100% cotton lawn fabric, making it breathable and lightweight for Hawaiʻi’s warm climes. toririchard.com
9. Kāhala
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Founded in Honolulu in 1936, Kāhala’s iconic aloha shirts embody the Islands’ vibrant, beach lifestyle. With island motifs and light, tropical colors, the timeless prints fit any occasion. Designs range from native flora like ʻōhiʻa lehua to pineapples to tropical cocktails. kahala.com
10. Roberta Oaks
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If you’re into that vintage look, you’ll love Roberta Oaks’ retro-inspired line of aloha shirts. She uses lots of vibrant colors and island motifs to create one-of-a-kind shirts, all with modern silhouettes and a sharp fit. robertaoaks.com
