Kamehameha Garment Co. LTD was started in 1936 with a small store in Honolulu, a larger factory in Hilo and a business office and showroom in Honolulu. They concentrated on innovative designs and broke into the local market selling to Sears and Watumull's.
In 1939, with 23 exclusive prints, they began shipping large orders to the mainland. Herb Briner ran the operation, designing and styling for both mens and womens lines. He was experienced around the factory, able to cut shirts with an industrial cutter, and served as the fabric buyer and sales manager. Kamehameha produced some of the most noted and elegant Hawaiian prints.
