The Hilo Hattie Story

From their humble beginnings on the island of Kauai and the International Marketplace in Waikiki, Hilo Hattie has become synonymous with vacation shopping.

Who Was Hilo Hattie?

Clarissa “Clara” Haili was born on October 28, 1901. She began her career as a School Teacher but it was her singing and dancing that gave her a place in modern history. She popularized the comic hula style with such tunes as “When Hilo Hattie Does the Hula Hop” and “The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai.” She legally changed her name to Hilo Hattie in 1942. Clara "Hilo Hattie" Nelson passed away in 1979, leaving behind a legacy carried on by a quality company that  understands and illustrates the Aloha Spirit.