Iolani was formed in 1946 by Hawaiian businessman Isamu Takabuki. He sold this company in 1953 to Edith and Keiji Kawakami. Mr. Takabuki went on to create Go Barefoot Inc.
The Iolani Sportswear company has been owned by the Kawakami family to this day. They take pride in producing all of their wares in Hawaii rather than overseas.
Iolani Sportswear started out producing strictly men’s “Aloha” Hawaiian shirts, but their line grew to consist of ladies’ Hawaiian sarongs, dresses, shirts, shorts, as well as their classic Hawaiian shirts for men and now women.
Designer “Kiyomi” Hirose developed the women’s line for Iolani.
In 2006 Lloyd Kawakami (son) took over as president of Iolani Sportswear. Lloyd’s two sons also work for the company, keeping it a family affair.
Written by pinky-a-gogo
from a 1950s shirt
Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo
from a late 1960s Hawaiian style shirt
Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo
from a mid 1970s shirt
Courtesy of pinky-a-gogo
from a 1960s dress
Courtesy of betterdressesvintage
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