Ever since I returned from Hawai'i, October I've been busy, busy, busy... 'Trying to catch up on…read moreyelp*views before I completely forget what I was planning to write in the first place.
I remembering walking into Crazy Shirts for my very first time in town a few years back; quite a few years back when I saw my first ever, red dirt shirts. Great idea but what caught my attention even more were the overall designs by Crazy Shirts. Now, these aren't your average swap meet t-shirts where you can get five for $20, these are nice & good quality too. So, expect to pay a bit of $$ for them.
I flew back home to attend a funeral; being back on the aina was bitter-sweet. It was great to see everyone but wish it wasn't under the circumstances. Funerals seem to be occurring more often these past few years. We've enjoyed the spring & fall seasons growing up with the uncles & aunties but now winter is starting to make its way around... (sigh) There's a season for everything.
It was my last day on the aina before I flew out the next morning. I had wanted to visit Haleiwa Town before I had to hele back to Orange County. It was where we grew up, spent most my summers out here on the North Shore.
When I walked into the shop, I was instantly greeted by the young lady behind the front counter who smiled and said, "Aloha!" I replied, "Howz'it?!" Say hello to Crystal; friendly & happy to answer any of your questions. We talked story for a bit; Crystal was professional, courteous, and didn't hesitant to greet whomever walked into the store.
I really wasn't planning on buying a shirt, I was just walking through the backside of the plaza. (In truth, I was looking for Strong Currents. It was surf shop that used to sit back from the main road & diagonally across the lot from Red but unfortunately it's no longer there.) I have a couple of nice shirt designs from there. Their license plate frame is still on my car today.
I walked around the shop a couple times looking @ the various designs. I know I said I wasn't going to buy anything but it's a local thing; t-shirts & hats... It's a weakness. HA! We love our shirts and when you see something that strikes a chord with you, well, it's tough to walkaway empty handed. I saw a few shirts that caught my eye but after pacing between them for a while, I ended up getting the clean & simple, "HALEIWA," t-shirt with large block style lettering on the front.
I mentioned earlier that I still have a couple shirts from Strong Current, which are now well worn, washed, but still get plenty of aloha for... Both of them are similar in design, straightforward & simple with large lettering, Haleiwa as well. I like the red dirt shirt design but thought maybe a small, added design element or variation might give it bit more appeal; just my own design sense & thoughts. (I do art, design & printing as well.)
1. Add a small iconic, hand drawn depiction of "Rainbow Bridge" with text beneath, "Haleiwa, HI - Est 1898." Placed on the left breast of the shirt and "HALEIWA" on the back.
2. Keep "HALEIWA" on the front & place bridge/text on the back @ the upper middle of the back. (3" x 4" graphic)
So, needless to say, I did not leave the shop empty handed.
If you're passing through town, whether a local or visitor to the islands; I highly recommend making a small kine stop in Haleiwa and visit Red Dirt Shirts. I remember growing up back when Haleiwa was simple, straight forward, & beautiful. I would drive with my Uncle Candro down Kam Hwy; he'd have his hand out the window the entire time, waving & saying good morning to the locals. It was a time where everybody knew everybody. There was always one group our another making hulihuli chicken in the parking lot for some fundraiser. LOL - Yes, among t-shirts & hats we love our kaukau too. (Food) The o'hana used to have a shop in town back in the 50's/60's, "The Bolosan General Store." I believe it might be wine shop now, I think.
If you're looking for something different & unique, of good quality with nice designs, Red Dirt Shirts is definitely a good place to start. Also, "active military" get discount too.
"The N-word" | I've worked retail at various places and people do not like to hear that one specific word, "No." I've seen a couple of unhappy write ups and it's unfortunate but a business has its policies for a reason. I get it, I don't like hearing no too but it's the businesses call to make. After all, it's NOT my business, it is someone elses. Also, if you look @ their profiles, some yelp*ers only use this platform when they're not happy or do not get their way which is unfortunate. Don't let the small, disgruntled few dissuade you from stopping by Red Dirt Shirts to say "Aloha!"
My name is DJ and I approve this buggah! Again, a big mahalo to Crystal for the aloha, keep up the awesome job! A hui hou!!
Overall rating: 5 Stars
Food: n/a
Ambiance: 5 (You're on the North Shore in Hawai'i!)
Service: 5+
Value: 5