Origins of the Hawaiian Shirt
When you think of Hawaii, the first thought that often comes to mind is the Hawaiian shirt. Also known as the Palaka shirt, it has a long history. Made using a Hawaiian staple material called tapa, not much has changed about these unique and popular shirts.
Made from trees, the tapa cloth has ceremonial and functional uses, in both shirts and tapestries in many Hawaiian homes. The Palaka shirt has an interesting story, originating from the plantation days. Many Hawaiian field laborers came from Asian countries, such as China and Japan, and traveled to Hawaii with silk shirts. Deeming these shirts impractical for field use, they removed the shirt tails and used a lighter loose fitting clothing to alleviate the heat.
Palaka shirts nowadays are often seen with a dark inside print, and a faded outer print. While it seems the shirt is worn the wrong way, this is the intention of the design, to show the muted pattern. The basic colors for these shirts are black and brown, but a rainbow of colors is also available. Tapa fabric is not very durable, and is often used for ceremonies and special occasions by government officials, chiefs and wedding celebrants.
Tapa can be found in many homes across the island, from shirts to decorative quilts. Tapas given by chiefs or royal family members have more value and are often displayed in the home. The process of making tapas is natural, as every part, from the dyes to the brushes, is derived from nature. This makes the production of tapas very environmentally friendly. These works of art are products of a culture that deeply respects nature in this constantly changing modern world.
Leave a Reply