Island textiles icon Alfred Shaheen died Monday in Torrance, Calif., from complications due to diabetes. He was 86.

Shaheen was among the founders of the modern Hawaiian garment industry, helping revolutionize the business not only through innovative designs but by establishing a business model that allowed him to introduce Hawaiian wear to people around the world.

His original pieces today can sell on eBay for hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

"He was one of the giants of the Hawai'i garment industry," said Dale Hope, creative director for Kahala Sportswear and author of the book "The Aloha Shirt."

Shaheen "pioneered screen printing here in Honolulu like it had never been done before — he printed men's aloha shirts and women's dresses," Hope said. "To print rayon fabric in Honolulu and with the vibrancy, colors and technique that he achieved was mind-boggling."

By 1959, Shaheen had built his own factory and showroom and was Hawai'i's largest manufacturer of aloha wear. He employed 400 people and was grossing more than $4 million annually by selling garments worldwide, including at retail stores in Hawai'i.