Torrance, Calif. - Alfred Shaheen, a pioneering textile manufacturer credited with creating the modern Hawaiian garment industry and in the process transforming the state's garish, tacky souvenir shirts into works of art, died Dec. 22. He was 86.

Shaheen died of complications from diabetes, said his daughter, Camille Shaheen-Tunberg.

As tourists from the mainland flocked to Hawaii after World War II, many began to bring home colorful but cheesy looking shirts and sundresses that would be cause for much amusement among friends.

Shaheen began to change that in 1948, however, when he opened Shaheen's of Honolulu and began designing, printing and producing aloha shirts, dresses and other ready-to-wear clothing of better design and much higher quality. Among those seen in Shaheen-designed shirts of that era was Elvis Presley, who wore one for the cover of his 1961 soundtrack album "Blue Hawaii."

Such Shaheen originals now fetch $1,000 or more.