FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         June 8, 2006   Release M-60-06

‘WEAR ALOHA’ EXHIBIT OPENS AT HONOLULU HALE

            A colorful exhibit that includes the world’s largest aloha shirt and 80 years of aloha wear opens in the Honolulu Hale courtyard at noon tomorrow (Friday, June 9).

            The “Wear Aloha” exhibit will be open for free public viewing during business hours through June 29.

            The exhibit marks the 40^th anniversary of the Aloha Friday, the tradition of wearing aloha attire each Friday. (Before then, government offices and many private businesses required employees to wear Mainland-style business attire every day.)

            “When the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii voted in favor of Aloha Friday in 1966, they were acknowledging a sentiment widespread in our Island home, that we don’t have to dress like Mainlanders to be taken seriously,” said Mayor Mufi Hannemann. “Now the rest of the nation has caught some of the Aloha Friday spirit with Casual Fridays.”

            The “Wear Aloha” exhibit includes displays by aloha attire manufacturers Nake‘u Awai, Kahala, Iolani Sport, Reyn’s and Hilo Hattie.

            Tomorrow’s opening reception will include a proclamation by Mayor Hannemann, music by Nalu Hoe and lei-making demonstrations.

-30-

Contact:

Bill Brennan, 527-6928

Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767