Hawaii Dem asks to break Congress dress code for ‘Aloha Fridays’

A Hawaii Democrat is asking House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to allow lawmakers to observe his state’s tradition of “Aloha Fridays” — even if it breaks Congress’s strict dress code.

Rep. Mark Takai, who was born in Honolulu, wrote a letter to Ryan urging him to allow Hawaiian shirts on the floor on Fridays, just like his state legislature allows.

{mosads}”Today, Aloha shirts are more popular than ever,” the letter says, according to the Associated Press. “What started off in a small store on North King St. in Honolulu is now a major fashion enterprise and a half a billion dollar a year industry.”

Takai, who is a top member of the House Small Business Committee, said allowing Aloha shirts would support small business.

As part of a longstanding rule, formal attire is required in Congress.