Takai asks to wear Aloha shirt on the House floor
Mark Takai and family took to the stage in Nov. 2014 after the second printout at the Democratic Party Coordinated Election Night Celebration at the Manoa Ballroom of the Japanese Cultural Center. (Star-Advertiser file)
It’s Aloha Friday, and U.S. Rep. Mark Takai wants to be able to don an Aloha shirt on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Takai, D-Hawaii, has asked Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to allow Aloha wear to be worn on the floor.
The Hawaii congressman said his office has observed “Aloha Fridays” since he came into office in 2014. “However, when House votes occur on Fridays, it is harder to get into the spirit, as Aloha Wear is forbidden by the House rules, which requires that full business attire be worn on the Floor,” Takai wrote today in his letter.
“The Aloha shirt is a tangible symbol of the Aloha Spirit – it embraces diversity, inclusion and friendliness that pervades throughout the State of Hawaii. Embracing the Aloha shirt will allow members to embrace the Aloha Spirit – something that Washington could use a little more of,” Takai wrote.
Takai told Ryan his recommendation supports small business and promotes “a unique Hawaiian custom in the United States House of Representatives, Aloha Friday.”
Takai is ranking member of the House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Contracting and the Workforce.
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115 responses to “Takai asks to wear Aloha shirt on the House floor”
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Aloha Shirt??? Darn right–and send pictures to Obama and that gift certificate to Hilo Hattie’s someone suggested!!!
Wow, you’re still allowed to post in here after the racial slurs you posted? You got booted from that thread, but I guess the Star-Advertiser monitor is slipping.
A Republican must have pardon,serious’s naughty list?
I’m actually not afraid of very many things after the life I’ve lived. Racists is certainly not one of them and if you are defending the slurs he posted… well you might want to look in the mirror to see what a true “scumbag” looks like. You folks are a dime a dozen and disgust me.
Mazie Hirono should be allowed to wear a mu’umu’u on the Senate floor; Brian Schatz should wear a yarmulka, and Tulsi should wear her Hare Krishna costume.
And what will my puppies be wearing?
“The Aloha shirt is a tangible symbol of the Aloha Spirit” Really? It has been years since Bishop Street showed it’s aloha spirit. Sure a small number of men will wear Reyn’s, Iolani Sig Zane, etc……….but it is rare these days to see women in a mu’u mu’u on “Aloha Friday”
Okay da Gov seems to always wear one.
IMHO (growing up here) Aloha Friday is more of a catch phrase today. Marketing ~ a ~ cliché. Please Mark, go with the prescribed dress code.
No like people come here and force change, no different if you go somewhere else. Aloha does not reside in one’s clothing brah!
Anything to prep the juices for the Fall campaign to get re-elected or challenge Schatz? The traditions of Congress are very difficult to change. Doubt he will be successful. One has to be more tactful rather than brash especially from a junior/neophyte. representative.
“Aloha does not reside in one’s clothing brah!” True enough. However, I’ll disagree with the rarity of aloha shirts downtown, although I’ll admit a lot of the younger people might not wear them. The middle to older folks with the power still wear plenty of Reyn’s!
That will get him a lot of respect
Next we will let the military wear aloha shirts. Sorry you have to wear what is required even though you do nothing for us.
They already do. Have been for a while. Walk around on Hickam on Fridays. It’s also used as a fund raiser for the different clubs on base to promote espirit de corp but it has to be approved by the commander. I could care less what our political leaders wear as long as it is in good taste and they do the job they were elected to do. You can put clothes and lipstick on a pig but it doesn’t change the way it acts.
EOD9. Hawaii ‘ s politicians should donate the most to the said fund raising. After all, they don’t deserve such a high pay just for showing up to work.
Especially when showing up for work means going on a junket.
Part time work at that.
Military implies that the taxpayer will foot the bill.
Sorry Mark, not the right thing to do. You are not special.
WHO DOES HE LISTEN TO? A JOKE NO LESS…HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH!
You and the state of Hawaii lose respect when you ask questions that make you look not serious and professional. Isn’t there more important issues that you should be working on. That’s why the mainland don’t respect Hawaii.
Would be cool to wear, but even as a local, I would not approve of it. That would open the door for other exceptions to be made.
..37. I’m through being cool… Devo band.
Nice suggestion but not appropriate. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, should be the mantra when considering dress code in Washington D.C. Dress with dignity of whom you represent!
You’re right, but it could be worse if he wore one of those Ai No Kea or No Ack Up t-shirts. LOL
Once, while working on the Continent, a male co-worker from Hawaii wore an Aloha Shirt to work.
Lady walked by and told the male co-worker, “That’s a beautiful blouse you have on today.” Let’s hope Representatives on the floor don’t mistake a shirt for a bouse, or get the wrong idea.
Oh? Mainland people call aloha attire a tablecloth.
dumb and dumber………..
Dumbest and dumbest?
Play it safe. Always start from the bottom in Hawaii.
Very silly request. Cannot imagine what he is thinking. Maybe that is why I voted for Djou.
Agree and same her I voted for Djou as well.
Fiveo. You must have gotten a free plate lunch for waving the sign for Djou?
You can take a boy out of the country, but you can’t take the “country” out of a boy.
I hope he gets laughed out of Congress. An embarrassment to Hawaii.
Next he’ll ask to wear “slippas” because it’s part of Hawaii’s culture.
Pssst.. you’re not in Hawaii. Grow up !!!
…1959. Whooh! That was a slap in the laulau.
Really? This is how he wants to make news?
Another Hawaii embarrassment.
Yep. My wife can’t sleep with me laughing at all the failures Hawaii ‘ s leaders with my smartphone on the SA’S website.
Wear an Aloha print tie, socks, underwear. Take baby steps first if this sort of thing means that much to you. It won’t solve the many issues Hawaii has, but if it makes you feel you’ve accomplished something, go for it. Glad I didn’t vote for you with this type of thinking.
Pauliboy. Save water doing laundry. Just wear the undies.
…boy. You want to know what makes me feel good? Can’t say it on this site.
From the number of negative comments, it seems apparent to me that the “Aloha Spirit” does not rest in the souls of these posters. Perhaps that’s why Hawai’i has changed so much – Monsanto, and other mega-corporations come in and destroy the ‘aina and now one of our Representatives of the State wishes to spread a little “aloha” and he gets mocked. Calling it a blouse tells more about the ignorance and closed-minded attitudes that are now running our country than anything to do with Representative Takai’s effort to reach across the aisle in a positive, symbolic effort. I guess the idea that one must dress to impress reflects the “white man rules” of the day. By the way, before anyone jumps to conclusions, I am a white man who has benefited greatly from being white. It’s time we as a country of many colors grows up and truly admires the character of a man by his words and actions and not by the car he drives, the watch he wears, or the cut of his suit. Thank you, Mark. Please remind Washington DC that Hawai’i is alive and well!
Takai just trying to get a little attention. I’d rather see Tulsi in a bikini. Racism is a two way street and you surely don’t speak for all white men.
Sarge22. Yep. Aloha wear in Hawaii means that it will also apply in the deep winters of Washington D,C.
And I’m thankful that neither do you.
Exactly. Be very thankful.
The “Aloha Spirit” isn’t in the clothes you were.
HRS143. Bravo! First comment that makes sense here.
Really, HRS134??? The “Aloha Spirit” isn’t in the clothes you were (sic)? Maybe it will be in the clothes you might become. Another Hawaii embarrassment: were vs. WEAR.
There, their, they’re. Bad spelling won’t hurt you. Relax.
Where?
Like your handle….
This is just to be seen. He’s probably still making alliances and needs some distraction his way. This isn’t a class reunion.
He could try to carry one of Nancy Pelosi’s coolers for her.
Yeow! How did we get from Mark’s Sartorial miss-steps to Monsanto. I’m sorry, I just can’t follow that leap.
Slink. No make fun of my Monsanto stocks. Dividend pays for my puppy’s food.
Sorry Mark, not the right place nor the right time. If you play the part you have to look the part like the others in congress.
Takai has yet to pay his dues and is already asking for special treatment. 🙁
A true liberal.
Apparently he’s a quick study. 🙁
HRS134. Yeah. At least make believe that you look serious at work.
Whoa! That’s not a nice thing to say. “Send them back to their mother country..”? Where shall we send you? Kid, it is not nice to make negative comments of people and their origin. It makes you the racist one and I’m sure that is not your intent!
No way! Throw on a sport coat and get to work. You’re not in Hawaii Mr. Takai! Imagine what the House Floor would look like if all parts of the U.S. were granted permission to wear their “diversity” attire. 🙁
Texas Congress already dons their cow boy hat in session.
Have you seen them wearing cow boy hats on the House floor? I think not.
Yes- it would look like America in all its diversity – oh how horrible if the people representing us actually dressed like us instead of performing stilted penguins in clothes that nobody in his right mind would ever wear to actually work and boldly claiming that they belong with the 1%. I don’t need Mark Takai in a suit – I don’t care what he wears –
I don’t need Mark Takai – I don’t care what he wears. I’ll take the penguins. They know how to dress.
[…] For today’s other Slow Newsday Story, see this little tidbit about Mark Takai who wants to wear aloha shirts to Congress on Fridays. Not even the venerable Senators Inouye or Akaka requested this privilege. In an era where our […]
Sorry Mark, another STUPID HARD-UP FOR REELECTION PRESS. VERY IMMATURE AND NIAEVE. GET WITH THE PROGRAM AND STOP GRANDSTANDING….VERY SILLY!
IN OTHER WORDS…MAKE A-R-S-E!
Can’t get any worse for Hawaii. We are already at the bottom of the rank.
Well, maybe not quite at the bottom. We still Tulsi to show we have someone intelligent representing the 50th State.
Com’on let it go and show some professionalism while doing your job in Congress…it’s business attire. While here locally that’s fine.
It’s funny that this question came up. Before I became an Administrator, I would always wear a dress shirt and tie in the classroom. My 9th graders would ask why. I told them that I take my task seriously and I want my dress to show that and the respect that I have for my students and the subjects that I taught. They got it. (After becoming an administrator I did the same thing. The only lapse was when my Halawa Housing kids asked me to wear a LavaLava to school with my shirt and tie. It worked wonderfully)
Cellodad. No lie. You wear a suit because you have Macy’s stock. And they sell a ton of suits. Well. Just kidding about the lying part.
Yeah. Our elected officials in Hawaii should be fine with a tee shirt. They never do any serious business to lead us into the future, anyway.
Mark you want to wear an Aloha shirt to work, resign and come back to Hawaii and work in Waikiki.
Oahuan. Work? That’s why he became a politician. Just to show up for work.
Poor Joseph A. Banks clothing store. They sell a ton of suits. What was Djou thinking of.
Mark Takai is wrong to ask to wear aloha attire in the House. This is how it will work if Takai is allowed to do so. Since discrimination is not allowed, the Muslim from Minnesota will then be allowed to wear his thobe, the American Indian will be allowed to wear buckskin clothing and a feathered head dress, transgenders will be allowed to wear dresses or business suits depending on what suits their mood, members of Japanese ancestry will be allowed to wear kimonos, and members of other ethnicity will be allowed to wear the traditional dress of their ancestors or their constituents. We are the United States of America and not the United Nations. Members of Congress are free to wear whatever they want in their home districts or when not in session, but their attire should be business when in the House chamber. The Aloha spirit is supposed to come from the heart and not from wearing an Aloha shirt.
“The Aloha spirit is supposed to come from the heart and not from wearing an Aloha shirt.” Funny how we didn’t see that type of sentiment from you when your buddies in this forum were ranking on the President for NOT wearing an aloha shirt.
Good one. Didn’t expect that left hook.
Takai wants to wear it to work. Obama was on vacation. Just might be a slight difference or maybe not in Takai’s case.
Nice try at explaining away Ronin’s hypocrisy. But I expect nothing less from you.
Cite one time that I said anything about Obama not wearing an aloha shirt, just one.
Reading comprehension is important Ronin. Reread my post and then tell me where I said you DID. When you can “cite one time” where you called out one of your buddies in the Forum for ranking on the President about it, I’ll buy off on your crocodile tears.
DowntownGreen, you are right for once. I did misread your comment. Gomen nasai.
Well, zero doesn’t have ANY Aloha at all, so it wouldn’t matter what he wears.
I think it would be totally awesome if members of Congress dressed any way they want – what the heck is so special about business attire – that makes it the rule of the land? Representatives should be able to dress as they deem appropriate, they shouldn’t ask for permission– they should just show up however they want to dress. How can anyone censure them for dressing their own bodies in a way that they see fit? I would never wear a suit and tie, it would be uncomfortable and totally silly for me to do so… How dare the House try and tell other citizens how to dress!
Before you post, you must realize that there are more than likely rules, regulations and policies that govern the attire to be worn while Congress is in session. I’d bet everything that if you were elected to Congress, you yourself would find a suit and tie, and use it while conducting business.
um yeah – that is what is what is wrong with our Congress, that you need to conform to a ridiculous dress code. No, I would never do that and there are many reasons why I’ll never be elected to Congress, but eschewing the stupidity of a button down shirt and tie are the least of the reasons. If Mark Takai shows up in an Aloha shirt, I pity the fool that tries to shut him down for it.
This is a good example of why the USA is so screwed up today. Liberals think it is OK for people to do what ever they want to do anywhere and any time.
Do you even work? Most, if not all, companies have some sort of dress code. Well, maybe Rock-Za doesn’t but that’s another story all together.
Takai quit wasting their time with Aloha shirts. Do something constructive.
…371. So far, the only constructive thing that our leaders in Hawaii have done is to raise the rail tax.
Takao did we elect you (no me) to request silly things of the house. Just do your job and not be requesting these things. If denied are you going to throw a tantrum? Is Kamehameha Day celebrated in congress?? Please stop acting like a spoiled brat
Don’t ask – just do it!
Government is quick becoming borderline irrelevant.
Takai has confirmed his ignorance and GREENHORNS!
With all of the things going on in the country today, this is the best this clown can come up with? Grow up!!!
What a fool. What an embarrassment to Hawaii. What a typical local dem politician.
I saw Lingle in a muu muu dress.
Is he going to leave his slippers outside the door?
The symbolism of the Aloha shirt is to foster the Aloha Spirit and more camaraderie and collegiality in a partisan body. Wearing a dress shirt with a tight necktie and a suit creates an atmosphere less conducive to discourse with flexibility and compromise. this is the reason why Congress has been less than effective in addressing national and global issues. I have attending annual conferences sponsored by professional scientific societies for more than 5 decades and even 10 or 15 years ago, most attendees wore suits and ties at these meetings. More recently, participants have been less formal and aloha shirts are more and more common at these gatherings and there is a definite change in how the attendees are more relaxed, interacting less authoritatively with students, and a significant sense of collegiality and collaboration. I truly believe that this change in the culture of the meetings has resulted in innovative solutions to the problems that are in the forefront of the field of study. I think that by fostering a change in the mentality of the members of Congress with a more relaxed atmosphere at least one day a week on Fridays, can start something that could have major impact on the effectiveness of this body!
Moral decline (or degeneration) refers to the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of morality. The condition of moral decline is seen as preceding or concomitant with the decline in quality of life, as well as the decline of nations.
C’mon, you’re not Hawaii anymore. Is this how you represent the people of Hawaii? You should be addressing issues that will enhance the lives of the people.
NO, Mark Takai should be asking to wear a Kimono, and send him, and his family home to their mother country. JAPAN!! He ain’t native!! Get it straight. Impeach this traitor!! Him and Governor Ige!! I ain’t surprised he got cancer. Hope he dies from it too!! I won’t be surprised just like our other neighbors did. Know who I am?? Yah, screw off Mark Takai, you and David IGE for being racist, and butt ugly!! And you like smile, Ill make sure everyone knows your a racist. Sorry ass Loser!!
Did you forget to take your meds today? Your comment was unnecessary and offensive.
The first time he posted it or the ad nauseum repeats? 😉
Tackling the tough issues…
Is he kidding?
Next he might really embarrass Hawaii by requesting to speak pidgin in Congress. He might even suggest fellow Congressmen who aren’t fluent in pidgin to “Eh, bra why no get the kine intapreta ?”
[…] ICYMI: “[Hawaii Rep. Mark] Takai, D-Hawaii, has asked Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to allow Aloha wear to be worn on the floor. The Hawaii congressman said his office has observed ‘Aloha Fridays’ since he came into office in 2014. ‘However, when House votes occur on Fridays, it is harder to get into the spirit, as Aloha Wear is forbidden by the House rules, which requires that full business attire be worn on the Floor,’ Takai wrote…” [Star Advertiser] […]
[…] ICYMI: “[Hawaii Rep. Mark] Takai, D-Hawaii, has asked Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to allow Aloha wear to be worn on the floor. The Hawaii congressman said his office has observed ‘Aloha Fridays’ since he came into office in 2014. ‘However, when House votes occur on Fridays, it is harder to get into the spirit, as Aloha Wear is forbidden by the House rules, which requires that full business attire be worn on the Floor,’ Takai wrote…” [Star Advertiser] […]
[…] Mark Takai has the right idea. He’s petitioned the House of Representatives to allow “Aloha wear” on the House floor, which requires “business […]
[…] Mark Takai [D, HI-1] wants to be able to wear Aloha shirt on House […]
[…] Congressman Mark Takai has the right idea. He’s petitioned the House of Representatives to allow “Aloha wear” on the House floor, which now requires “business […]