A Hawaiian detective’s necessity, The Panama Hat.

Well, there are many reasons for wearing a hat. I personally prefer a fedora in the Ohio winters to keep the snow and wind off my head. However, if you plan to do some detecting in the tropics, a Panama Hat is a must to keep a cool head when solving those mysteries.

In the six Charlie Chan novels written by Author Earl Derr Biggers, Charlie’s head gear, when referenced, was never specifically identified as a Panama Hat! Point in fact, the only time I could find it described was in the final novel, Keeper of The Keys (1932.); and then only by color:

“At one o’clock, Charlie stopped reading… He then put on an unfamiliar overcoat, secured his black hat tightly on his head, and grabbed his flashlight confidently.”

However, in all fairness Charlie was in the vicinity of Lake Tahoe, Nevada…and in the winter! So not much use for a Panama hat at the time. On the other hand, hats worn by others are often identified perhaps to get a better description of the individual:

• John Quincy Winterslip – a silk hat (The House Without a Key)
• Shakey Phil Maydorf – a felt hat low over his eyes (The Chinese Parrot)
• Asst District Attorney, J. V. Morrow – a plush green hat (Behind That Curtain)
• Smith the Beachcomber – a limp and tattered hat of straw (The Black Camel)
• Inspector Duff – his old felt hat dripping water (Charlie Chan Carries On)
• Deputy Cash Shannon – a two-gallon hat (Keeper of The Keys)

Still, it is undeniably true in the 44 Chan films Charlie’ hat was unquestionably that “Icon of The Tropics,” the Panama Hat! So how much did Charlie pay for his lid? Well we can’t be sure, but he probably purchased it at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, his hangout in the film The Black Camel.

Did you know there still exists a famous haberdashery inside the Coconut Grove at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel: Newt at The Royal. And I’m told owner Mr. Jim Tomasi has held court there for over three decades. Now these aren’t just any hats, but The finest Montecristi Panama Hats; hand-woven works of art. They are the highest quality, same as those worn by distinguished gentlemen during the “The Golden Age” of travel on luxury ocean liners, with wardrobe trunks and valets. Napoleon, Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt, Clark Gable in Gone With The Wind, Truman Capote, Noel Coward, Kings and emperors, tycoons and sportsmen all wore them. It was a time when no properly dressed gentleman would be without his Panama Hat.

To this day, the hats from Newt at the Royal are still hand-crafted, distinguished works of art. So what might one cost you? Well, if you are going to do your detecting in style–like Charlie did–then, you’d want the best, yes? Here’s a sampling:

So, if you’re ever in Honolulu, Hawaii and pass by 2259 Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, stop in at Newt on The Royal (The Hat Story) and see what you might look like in one of these adornments of refinement. Or see their other clothing like their famous Aloha Shirts, Kimonos and Shorts! You may not be any good at crime detecting; but hey, with one of these treasures atop your noggin you’ll definitely look good working at it!

“The man who would avoid suspicion should not adjust his hat under a plum tree.”

(Keeper of The Keys, 1932, Chap 16)