I looks like Hilo Hattie, the originally Kauai-based store chain started in 1963, is fast coming to its demise. The ominous “we’re sorry” on their website is a sad indication of the conditions at hand. As you recall, we wrote about their problems last year both on May 10 and again on October 2.
The federal court trustee monitoring their bankruptcy has now asked that the filing be converted to a liquidation. The reasons are:
- Continual losses in bankruptcy
- Inability to open their planned Waikiki flagship store
- Failed reorganization attempts
Hilo Hattie has been plagued by a multitude of ongoing problems, not the least of which has been significantly reduced Hawaii visitor numbers over the past year. As we indicated previously, their other issues include:
- A focus on foreign vs. Hawaii-made merchandise
- The difficult credit market
- Multiple failed expansion attempts
- New ownership
The most unfortunate part is that Hilo Hattie employs about 200 Hawaii workers who are now facing unemployment.
We have so many memories of Hilo Hattie, and drive by their iconic locations frequently. Do you have any Hilo Hattie reminiscences you’d care to share?
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It’s sad to see an icon disappear.
I was a teenager working part-time a local tourist shop and when my boss bought me two of the most beautiful muumuus a girl could ever own. I wore them to work at the one job, then wore them again for my other job as a flower girl who sewed leis and cut gardenias at restaurants on Waterfront Row in Kona. I received MANY compliments.
I will remember Hilo Hattie’s with such fondness, because in their dresses I felt like the prettiest girl in town.
I have mixed feelings. While I liked the helpful employees and finding some good clothes there, I always felt like their foreign-made items were kind of scam-ish. If they had focused on Hawaiian-made, I think they would have done better.
Hopefully the market can bear someone else starting a better-managed equivalent that will bring back the jobs.
Its very sad to hear about the downfall of Hilo Hattie. When I lived in Waikiki I would always smile as I saw the trolley packed with people on their way to their store, complete with a free lei. Hopefully things will turn around for this Hawaiian icon.