The Boogaloo Movement and Hawaiian Shirts: A Contradictory Combination

The Boogaloo Movement

The boogaloo movement, also known as boogaloo boys or boogaloo bois, is a loosely organized far-right anti-government extremist movement in the United States. Adherents say they are preparing for, or seek to incite, a second American Civil War or second American Revolution which they call “the boogaloo” or “the boog.” The movement consists of pro-gun, anti-government groups, but the specific ideology of each group varies widely. Some are white supremacist or neo-Nazi groups who believe that the impending unrest will be a race war. However, there are also groups that condemn racism and white supremacy. The movement primarily organizes online, but adherents have appeared at in-person events including anti-lockdown and George Floyd protests. Heavily armed, boogaloo members are often identified by their attire of Hawaiian shirts and military fatigues.

Hawaiian Shirts and Their Link to the Boogaloo Movement

1. History of Hawaiian Shirts:
   • Contrary to popular belief, the aloha shirt does not find its origins in Indigenous craftsmanship. Instead, it is deeply tied to violent multiculturalism and militarization in the Hawaiian Islands.
   • Initially, these shirts were created to quell the racist anxieties of American citizens who feared that Hawaiʻi would incorporate a largely non-white population into the American empire.
   • In other words, the capacity of Americans to literally wear paradise reified a narrative that Hawaiʻi was theirs for the taking.
2. Hawaiian Shirts and the Boogaloo Movement:
   • The boogaloo movement, a far-right community, has taken to wearing Hawaiian shirts as part of their attire.
   • However, this co-option is far from the spirit of the shirt, which traditionally signifies respect for all animated or inanimate beings.
   • The movement’s adoption of Hawaiian shirts is ironic given their violent intentions and racist associations.
3. Obscure Film Reference:
   • The reason behind the boogaloo movement’s choice of Hawaiian shirts stems from an inside joke related to the obscure 1984 film “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.”
   • This joke is a reference to the “big luau,” an adaptation of the word “boogaloo.”
   • Unfortunately, this reference is racist and has ties to white power online spaces, where “boogaloo” was associated with racist violence and calls for a race war.

In summary, the boogaloo movement’s use of Hawaiian shirts is a complex and controversial symbol, juxtaposing the laid-back image of the shirts with their violent intentions and historical context.

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