The Aloha Shirt

Name: The Aloha Shirt
Brand: Unknown
SKU: 9781938340567
Price: 124.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

Spirit of the Islands

By Dale Hope

Summary

The Aloha Shirt by Dale Hope offers the most comprehensive exploration of the iconic Hawaiian shirt, tracing its origins from a single sewing machine shop to a global fashion phenomenon. Illustrated with hundreds of vibrant images, the book delves into the stories of designers, manufacturers, and retailers who shaped this cultural icon synonymous with the relaxed, fun-loving spirit of the islands. It presents a vivid portrait of the aloha shirt as both a cherished souvenir and a symbol of Hawaii’s enduring allure, celebrating its rise in popular culture and fashion revivals.
Read More

Format: Hardback

$124⁹⁹

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

The Aloha Shirt

$124⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is perfect for arts and culture aficionados, fashion historians, collectors of vintage clothing, and admirers of Hawaiian culture seeking a visually rich and informative read about an enduring island symbol.

ACOTAR 22 Oct 2026

The ACOTAR Countdown Is On, But We Need to Talk…

Last week, things started taking a dark turn. The excitement surrounding the release was suddenly...

Even More New Board Games Just Arrived!

It's been another busy week at Book Hero, with heaps of new board games and...

BOOK BRIEFING 21 Oct 2026

The Book Briefing 21/10/2026

Welcome back to another edition of 'The Book Briefing', your weekly round-up of all the...

STORY TO SCREEN 21 Oct 2026

Story to Screen - 21/10/26

It's been another huge week in the world of book-to-screen adaptations! From record-breaking trailers and...

CHILDREN'S CORNER 21 Oct 2026

Things We Learned from an Evening with Alice Oseman

Liam and Lizzy went along to an evening with Alice Oseman of Heartstopper! Here are...

Description

The most colourful and complete book published on the most enduring souvenir ever invented: the Hawaiian shirt.

Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of images, this book recounts the colourful stories behind these marvellous shirts: as cultural icons, evocative of the mystery and the allure of the islands, capturing the vibe of the watermen culture and lifestyle—casual, relaxed, and fun. Valued by professional collectors and by millions of vacationers and fashionistos, these shirts are enjoying a fashion revival.

Drawing from hundreds of interviews, newspaper and magazine archives, and personal memorabilia, the author evokes the world of the designers, seamstresses, manufacturers, and retailers who created the industry and nurtured it from its single-sewing-machine-shop beginnings to an enterprise of international scope and importance and its revival today.

The Aloha Shirt is both a dazzling, fun-to-browse art book, and a fascinating chronicle of the world's love affair with Hawaii.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The New York Times praises the book as a "lovely $60 hardcover" that captures the aloha shirt as a "bright badge of good fortune." Reviews highlight its blend of fashion history and cultural insight, noting the detailed examination of the industry's development and the lavish illustrations. The book appeals not only to collectors but also to those interested in Hawaiian tourism and culture, fashion enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to colourful, engaging storytelling.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781938340567

Publisher: Patagonia Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 28 July 2016

Country: United States

Imprint: Patagonia Books

Edition: Second Edition

Illustration: Color photos throughout

Contributors:

Introduction by Gerry Lopez
Contributions by Greg Tozian
Contributions by Yvon Chouinard

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 190.0mm

Height: 279.0mm

Weight: 1573g

Pages: 384

Collections

Arts & Culture Dale Hope Education & Reference Fashion & Design Home & Garden Non-Fiction

About the Author

Dale Hope has spent his life in the garment industry in Hawaii. He inherited his parents' clothing business, then bought and served as creative director of the legendary Kahala label. He has also worked with Patagonia on the Pataloha label. Dale is an avid waterman and lives in Haleiwa, HI. Gerry Lopez, author of Surf Is Where You Find It made his reputation at Pipeline, then went on to a lifelong career in surfing, snowboarding, and stand-up-paddle. He co-founded Lightning Bolt(R) Maui surfboards, was instrumental in developing the high-performance shortboard, and has appeared in many films. He lives in Bend, OR. Greg Tozian is a writer (author, journalist, playwright), artist (comics), photographer, filmmaker & musician. He lives in Portland, OR. Yvon Chouinardis the founder and owner of Patagonia, Inc., and author of Let My People Go Surfing, The Responsible Company, and Simple Fly Fishing. He lives in Ventura, CA.

More from Arts & Culture

View all

Dylan's Pick

Bold Types

A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...

By Jane Ussher

Hardback

$59⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$70⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

I’ll Believe in Anything

From Jacob Tierney, the creator of Heated Rivalry, in partnership with Brendan Brady and Accent Aigu, comes I’ll Believe in Anything, an official and complete collection of annotated scripts for the biggest cultural sensation of the year, with all new exclusive behind-the-scenes content.Based on Rachel Reid’s blockbuster Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry premiered on Crave and HBO in late 2025 and immediately took the world by storm. I’ll...

By Jacob Tierney

Hardback

$54⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$60⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
On Sale
16% off
New Release

Shirl's Pick

Home Again

Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...

By Jon Toogood

Paperback

$27⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$39⁹⁹~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships today
On Sale
20% off

The Odyssey

Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....

By Homer

Paperback

$24⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$35⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
On Sale
21% off

The Iliad

When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an...

By Homer

Paperback

$26⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$37⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
On Sale
20% off

Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook

Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...

By Monique Fiso

Hardback

$36⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$52⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

A Life in Lyrics

Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest showmen of the twentieth century. With his unparalleled voice and searing on-stage energy, he was a great pretender, a killer queen and a champion of the world. But behind the glamour lived a musician and lyricist talented beyond measure, and the creative force behind one of the most culturally significant and musically diverse...

By Freddie Mercury

Hardback

$50⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$65⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Birdlands

A rare, intimate journey into the wild islands where Aotearoa's birds live beyond the reach of most human lives. In the most remote outposts of Aotearoa, our islands are populated not with people, but with birds. From the storm-lashed Subantarctic Islands in the deep south to the scattered volcanic islands of Tikapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf in the north, Birdlands offers a...

By Edin Whitehead

Hardback

$41⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$50⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
On Sale
21% off

This Angry Pen of Mine

This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...

By Layne Staley

Hardback

$58⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$89⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
Mah Jong Player's Companion

Since the arrival on the market of Patricia Thompson and Betty Maloney's two previous books, The Game of Mah Jong Illustrated and Improve Your Mah Jong, a wide range of hands from many parts of the world has been sent to them. In this player's companion, the authors have put together a cross-filled reference guide where over 120 hands, illustrated...

By Patricia Thompson and Betty Maloney

Paperback

$19⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Split Enz

'My favourite band. Ever! And certainly the best dressed.' Sam Neill Split Enz were never designed to fit. Emerging from art school mischief in early-1970s New Zealand, they turned pop into surreal theatre: costume, character and melody colliding in a rock band that refused to behave like one. At the centre of that vision was Noel Crombie—percussionist, performer and the...

By Michael Dwyer and Noel Crombie

Hardback

$51⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$65⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
The Artist's Way

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a transformative guidebook that has captivated millions, including luminaries such as Elizabeth Gilbert and Tim Ferriss. With its profound ability to inspire and elevate, this book invites readers to embark on an enriching creative journey, fostering a deeper connection to one's artistic process and sense of purpose. The heart of Cameron's groundbreaking programme...

By Julia Cameron

Paperback

$37⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$45⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.