The weather was nice enough today for me to first try wearing a new Hawaiian shirt. I just checked the closet and verified that it is my fifteenth. I've sort of discovered that they are more convenient than t-shirts. They dry faster after being washed. As well, the fact they can be worn untucked and half-unbuttoned is a big plus in my book.
I even once looked up their history. It seems as though "aloha shirts" were invented by a Chinese shop keeper. He used unsold stock of kimono material to create colorful shirts to sell to Waikiki tourists in the early 1930's. They were a big hit. Other manufacturers soon followed suit as even locals took to them. Of course US Mainland demand increased when servicemen returned stateside after World War II.
I don't really understand why like them so much. I don't think it's my age as I don't see a whole lot of 50 year olds wearing 'em. I've only visited Hawaii once. It's just a quirk. And they're a lot cheaper to collect than say, sports cars, or fine gems.