ALOHA JOY; DESIGNERS PUT A LITTLE HAWAIIAN PUNCH INTO THEIR CLOTHING THIS SUMMER.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Fashion Editor

It's hip to hula.

As a salute to Hawaii's 40th anniversary as a state, designers have put some Hawaiian punch into their prints for spring and summer. And the louder, the better.

The new-again trend was first spotted in Italy, when Gucci designer Tom Ford presented men's sport shirts, women's skirts, and even luggage and pet collars in splashy tropical prints on a white background. And now everybody's riding the wave.

According to Milinda Martin, fashion director of Robinsons-May stores, the current Hawaiian fashion trend started in the men's department with the aloha shirt. She's referring to the colorful rayon or cotton sport shirt that was introduced to the mainland in 1936.

``The shirt is a symbol of the relaxed lifestyle that's become so important to us,'' Martin said. ``Its popularity is widespread, even in states that are nowhere near the beach.''

Although many have copied the concept, the original aloha shirts were based on the artistry of Myron Von Brundt, who painted vivid designs of birds of paradise, fish and outrigger canoes for textile use. On the cutting edge of fashion, Hollywood celebs like Bing Crosby were occasionally seen in them, but it took a president to make aloha shirts an American tradition.

In her book ``Fairchild's Dictionary of Fashion,'' author Charlotte Mankey Calasibetta says aloha shirts became popular in 1951 when President Harry Truman appeared on the cover of Life magazine wearing one.

Of course it didn't hurt that Montgomery Clift wore a Von Brundt palm tree print shirt in the 1953 Oscar-winning film ``From Here to Eternity.'' (And you thought Tom Selleck started the craze in TV's ``Magnum P.I.''?)

Now that old look is back on racks - from major retail chains such as the Gap to local resale stores such as Lisa's NY Style shop in Sherman Oaks, where owner Lisa Zohar says she gets numerous requests for Hawaiian print shirts and dresses. ``It used to be they wanted clothes for '80s parties, then swing parties ... and now it's luaus,'' says Zohar.

But this season, you can easily find new retro looks in all price ranges.

Mervyn's California stores have bought so heavily into the tropical trend that they've created a special Hula Hut department to cater to island interests, says company spokeswoman Abigail Jacobs, who adds that besides clothing for the entire family, shoppers can find puka shell necklaces and surfboard amulets, as well as hibiscus-print housewares.

With luaus making a comeback, think about delightfully cheesy accessories, like a little hip-swaying hula dancer doll for a centerpiece. They were spotted at Urban Outfitters in Pasadena, where salesman Chris Tran says the dancing doll and floral print fisherman's hats are his best sellers.

For tiki torches, try Home Depot stores; and for fake flower leis, raffia table skirts, inflatable monkeys and metallic palm trees, check out specialty stores such as Aahs in Sherman Oaks, and also the Oriental Trading Co. catalog (800-228-2269).

You've got your parrot print shirt and shorts on, you've lit the tiki torches, and you still haven't succumbed to the tropical heat wave?

Exchange your Cosmopolitan cocktail for a mai tai and slip a Don Ho recording of ``Tiny Bubbles'' into the CD player.

Aloha.

Hawaii Four-0

Hawaii celebrates its 40th anniversary as a member of the United States this year. Here's some trivia to help you get into the island spirit:

Aloha means ``love'' (as well as ``hello'' and ``goodbye'') in the Hawaiian language. Wreaths of flowers called leis are tokens of love as well - and the ultimate Hawaiian souvenir.

Polynesians are the original settlers of Hawaii, which was possibly named for chief Hawaii-loa.

In 1795, King Kamehameha unified and ruled most of Hawaii.

The pineapple industry became a big business after 1885, but it wasn't until the the 1940s that actress Carmen Miranda made the tangy fruit a fashionable headpiece.

In 1894, the Republic of Hawaii was established, and it was annexed by the U.S. in 1898.

On Aug. 21, 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state and California went hula-happy.

Women started wearing grass skirts and billowy Polynesian print dresses called muumuus to parties. Those with lots of style savvy tucked a yellow hibiscus blossom (Hawaii's state flower) into their hair.

Polynesian-themed music filled the air in the '50s and '60s with a variety of pop songs ranging from Don Ho's ``Tiny Bubbles'' to Andy Williams' ``Hawaiian Wedding Song.''

Hollywood focused on the tropical paradise with numerous films, including ``Waikiki Wedding'' starring Bing Crosby, and Elvis Presley's ``Blue Hawaii,'' ``Girls! Girls! Girls!'' and ``Paradise, Hawaiian Style.''

CAPTION(S):

7 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Cover--Color) On the cover: Tropical print sun dress by Roxy, $48; with tote bag by Esprit, $30, from Robinsons-May.

(2--Color) Van Halen does the beach scene at Point Dume in denim clam diggers by Paris Blues, $24.99, topped with an aloha print halter top by Guess?, $42, and straw hat by Liz Claiborne, $24.

(3--Color) Fresh looks in swimsuits include this one-piece floral design by La Blanca, $74. Her chiffon scarf by Cejon, $27, can double as a sarong.

(4--Color) Sunning herself at Zuma beach is actress Kelly Van Halen in a two-piece suit by La Blanca, $82. All fashions courtesy of Robinsons-May stores.

(5--Color) Aloha shirts and matching boy-shorts are sizzling this season, especially when teamed with a tube top. Her shirt-and-shorts set is by OP, $51.99; tube top by A. Brod, $16.

(6--Color) Pineapple princess Van Halen in a rayon muumuu by Clio II, $48.

(7) Celebrate Hawaii's 40th anniversary with an aloha shirt like this updated rayon design by High Sierra, $26, at Mervyn's.

Photos by Tina Gerson/Daily News

Box: Hawaii Four-0 (See text)