Hilo Hattie's cutting back stores

[gregb]

For fans of Hilo Hattie's on Maui, they have closed the Kihei store and drastically reduced the size of the Lahaina store. The Lahaina store is now 1/4 of it's previous size. It is still in the same location in the Outlet Mall, just a lot smaller.

I don't know what has happened on the other islands, but on Maui at least, it looks like they are falling on hard times. Sorry to see that as I have purchased many Hawaiian shirts from them over the years.

Greg

 

[DeniseM]

When the economy got bad a few years ago they declared bankruptcy and reorganized.

More info: http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/...-retailer-hilo-hattie-closing-two-stores.html

 

[Luanne]

For fans of Hilo Hattie's on Maui, they have closed the Kihei store and drastically reduced the size of the Lahaina store. The Lahaina store is now 1/4 of it's previous size. It is still in the same location in the Outlet Mall, just a lot smaller.

I don't know what has happened on the other islands, but on Maui at least, it looks like they are falling on hard times. Sorry to see that as I have purchased many Hawaiian shirts from them over the years.

Greg

Kihei store was closed awhile ago. It was closed when we were there in March.

Although we would always visit the stores, both in Kihei and Lahaina, it's been years since we've bought anything there.

 

[DaveNV]

I've been told the Hilo store is closed. Ironic, since that's where they got the name of the place.

We bought things at the main Oahu store on Nimitz Blvd in June. Big place, quite busy. I hope it sticks around - I need to add to my free shell lei collection.

Dave

 

[LisaRex]

Is this one of those ABC stores that sells cheap souvenirs made in China? If so, I won't miss it. I hate those tourist traps. I'd much rather pay twice as much for something hand-crafted by a local.

Gatlinburg, TN used to be known for their local crafts. The last time I went down, the Made in China stores had taken over most of the town. So depressing.

 

[presley]

We bought things at the main Oahu store on Nimitz Blvd in June. Big place, quite busy.

That's always my first stop after we get the car.

Is this one of those ABC stores that sells cheap souvenirs made in China? If so, I won't miss it. I hate those tourist traps. I'd much rather pay twice as much for something hand-crafted by a local.

They do have some China made souvenirs, but they also have lots of made in Hawaii clothing. We normally get some clothes there. They also have food/snack items. They are not an ABC store.

 

[Passepartout]

I'd miss Hilo Hattie's about as much as I miss K-Mart. There are other choices for Aloha shirts and macadamia nuts and puka shell necklaces.

Jim

 

[1Kflyerguy]

We usually stop and visit their stores, but i rarely buy anything... guess that makes me part of the problem....

 

[bizaro86]

Bummer. When we went last I bought matching outfits for myself/wife/infant son, all made in Hawaii. We're going again, and I was hoping they'd still have the same outfits so we could get a bigger size for my son, and if our new baby is a girl, an infant sized outfit for them.

Plus, they had dole whip. I didn't find that out until close to the end of our trip, which was good for my waistline.

Hopefully the Lahaina store keeps their clothes selection and the dole whip.

 

[BocaBoy]

Hilo Hattie's is an iconic Hawaiian institution and is a fun place to shop. I had no idea they were in trouble.

 

[gregb]

Is this one of those ABC stores that sells cheap souvenirs made in China? If so, I won't miss it. I hate those tourist traps. I'd much rather pay twice as much for something hand-crafted by a local.

Gatlinburg, TN used to be known for their local crafts. The last time I went down, the Made in China stores had taken over most of the town. So depressing.

Hilo Hattie's is definitely not an ABC store. It is a Hawaiian institution. They have been making and selling Hawaiian shirts and dresses on the islands for years. I believe it was started in part to provide work for native Hawaiians. Over the years the competition has been using foreign factories to undercut the market. Hilo Hattie's has added non-Hawaiian made products, but more high end.

I have many Hilo Hattie's shirts and always wear them when in Hawaii.

Greg

 

[jacknsara]

Aloha,
While the news is sad, it is not surprising.
Costco in Hawaii sells made in Hawaii aloha wear (primarily shirts) for lower prices and the patterns change more frequently.
We used to stop in at Hilo Hattie least once every annual trip. We have lots of "free" mugs with $25 purchase. It seemed like the merchandise was almost the same every year. It seems like the Kauai (Lihue) parking lot is rarely even half full and we drive by frequently.
I'm guessing that a major portion of their shopper traffic is from the cruise ships; the Hilo Hattie shuttle is busy whenever one is in port.
Aloha wear is almost main stream - at least it seems that way to me on the West coast of the mainland. There are lots of other places - both brick & mortar and internet - to buy aloha wear.
In my view, Hilo Hattie was unable to adapt to the changing competitive landscape.
But it is sad.
Jack

 

[krj9999]

Incursion of Walmart, Costco, and Target on the islands certainly hasn't helped their situation. Reality is though that most of their non-clothing products are significantly overpriced compared to shopping elsewhere. And other than matching family outfits, it's not overly appealing to purchase there.

Though we have several mugs and shirts from Hilo Hattie as well from long ago, and usually drop in while on the islands (purchased matching outfits for DW's sister's family on our last trip).

 

[Luanne]

As I had mentioned we always stop in at the store, but haven't bought anything in a long time. I found that even their post card selection wasn't all that good.

 

[DaveNV]

I agree that Costco and whoever has made a dent in the business Hilo Hattie's had. But the selection at HH is usually better than the limited selected in those other stores, and prices are pretty reasonable.

Last time we were in Hawaii, my sister had asked that we bring her a muumuu. She'd never owned one. We did shop around, but the one we bought came from the HH store on Oahu. Not the sort of thing I'm likely to buy again, but it was good having a choice when I needed to find one at a reasonable price

Dave

 

[Luanne]

I agree that Costco and whoever has made a dent in the business Hilo Hattie's had. But the selection at HH is usually better than the limited selected in those other stores, and prices are pretty reasonable.

Last time we were in Hawaii, my sister had asked that we bring her a muumuu. She'd never owned one. We did shop around, but the one we bought came from the HH store on Oahu. Not the sort of thing I'm likely to buy again, but it was good having a choice when I needed to find one at a reasonable price

Dave

Oh I agree they still have their niche. Dh bought several shirts years ago, but after awhile you don't need more Hawaiian shirts. Also he's found he likes the shirts better at other stores.

As for things we bring home, like chocolate covered mac nuts, we usually find the best prices at the grocery stores.

 

[california-bighorn]

CHilo Hattie closing main store-New International Market Place

We just got back from two weeks in Hawaii. First week in Kauai where the Hilo Hattie store was in sorry condition. The second week when we got to the main store on Nimitz in Oahu it was not any better. It was on the news over there that the Nimitz store will be closing.
My wife always had to hit their stores and although I understand they were almost a part of the experience, I won't miss them too much.
On our visit last year there was a rumor they would consolidate and have a store in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. I can't see that happening.
BTW, construction is moving along on the "New International Market Place" that will consist of high end stores. The structure for 4 floors is up with an expected opening date of Summer 2016.

 

[krj9999]

A couple stories on; they entered bankruptcy in February. Going towards smaller stores.

http://www.kitv.com/news/hilo-hattie-closing-nimitz-highway-location/35295040

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/...s-hilo-hattie-closing-nimitz-highway-location

 

[linsj]

The Big Island store was closed this year.

 

[Luanne]

The Big Island store was closed this year.

Which one? There was one in Hilo and one in Kona.

 

[n777lt]

I agree that Costco in particular probably took a big chunk of their sales ...and probably other Hawaiian wear stores. For $10 a piece in March my husband picked up some striking short-sleeved cotton button-down shirts - Hawaiian patterns with the pockets and plackets perfectly matched. He gets comments whenever he wears them. No need for Tory Richards or Tommy Bahama any more.

 

[Fern Modena]

And more's the pity, cause I'm sure Costco's Hawaiian clothing is Hawaiian in name only, and is sourced from a much lower cost place. It has to be, to sell shirts for $10.

Especially when I am on vacation, I want to buy things with memories built into them. That means clothes made with local materials by local people. Cloth dolls made locally by hand, etc. Every time a store like Hilo Hatties leaves, these memories become harder to find.

I was planning on going to the Nimitz Bl. Hilo Hattie's on my next visit. It won't be there by my next visit. :annoyed: If any of you get to the Ala Moana store, which I understand is still there, please let me know if they have anything besides clothes there.

Fern

I agree that Costco in particular probably took a big chunk of their sales ...and probably other Hawaiian wear stores. For $10 a piece in March my husband picked up some striking short-sleeved cotton button-down shirts - Hawaiian patterns with the pockets and plackets perfectly matched. He gets comments whenever he wears them. No need for Tory Richards or Tommy Bahama any more.

 

[linsj]

Which one? There was one in Hilo and one in Kona.

Both. I was thinking of Kona though since I never went to the Hilo store.

 

[LisaRex]

I guess I'm going to have to make a point to shop at HH's if they have authentic Made in Hawaii merchandise. I will say that the cartoonish name probably isn't helping draw in new customers. It sounds very kitcschy.

 

[Ken555]

On a related topic, I was impressed with the shirts at the Kahala store at Whaler's Village on Maui earlier this year. I wasn't impressed with the price. I'd like to support local businesses...so I found many of their shirts available on Amazon for significantly less, not all varieties, but I now have 5-6 shirts that cost an average of ~$28 vs the $85 or so they wanted retail. Most made in Hawaii. No need to buy while visiting unless that part of the mystique is what interests you.

http://www.kahala.com


Sent from my iPad