Clarissa Haili was born on October 28, 1901 in Honolulu. Everyone however called her Clara. Clara first sang in her church choir and loved to dance the hula despite her mother's objections. In 1930, she married Theodore Inter. In 1940, she met Harry Owens, who got her into the movies. Clara legally took the name Hilo Hattie at the insistence of Harry Owens during the 1941 filming of Song of the Islands (1942). In 1949, Clara also appeared regularly on Owens' television show and in a number of variety shows, plus several non-musical stints on Hawaii Five-O (1968). In 1979, she passed away in Honolulu shortly after her biography was published.Today, Hilo Hattie is an icon because of her music and dancing as well as for her namesakes. In 1969, a new hybrid orchid was named after her. In 1971, an original line of clothing was also named after her. That clothing line eventually became a full-fledged clothing store called Hilo Hattie. Now there are 7 Hilo Hattie retail stores in the state of Hawaii. The Hilo Hattie stores remain a major tourist destination for visitors to Hawaii. Show less «