LAWAI — January is celebrated as Mu‘umu‘u Month and there are a few days remaining to enter the Mu‘umu‘u Design Contest, which is being held for the first time this year as part of the monthlong celebration and appreciation of the mu‘umu‘u.
According to Shannon Hiramoto of Machine Machine, the deadline for entry is Jan. 7 for individuals to commit to designing and sewing a mu‘umu‘u in one of two categories — Formal and AvantGarde — for an opportunity to win a cash prize.
A full set of contest rules as well as registration can be found on the Mu‘umu‘u Month website at www.muumuumonth.com.
“Since the initial announcement of the contest, we’ve received a lot of contestants — the Casual category is already full,” Hiramoto said. “Designers are all busy designing and sewing beautiful creations that will be presented in front of an audience at the Kaua‘i Historical Society’s Second annual Mu‘umu‘u Pa‘ina Luncheon on Jan. 28 at the Smith’s Tropical Paradise in Wailua.”
The luncheon is a benefit for the Kaua‘i Historical Society from noon until 4 p.m. with the garden gates opening at 11 a.m.
“This year, the entertainment for the party will be a fashion show featuring a first-of-its-kind Mu‘umu‘u Design and Sewing Contest,” Hiramoto said. “The Garden Island Arts Council and myself are organizing this incredible show of our island’s fashion design talent where contestants will compete for cash prizes, and showcase their original handmade mu‘umu‘u in three categories — Casual, Formal and AvantGarde.”
Special guest judges are being flown to Kaua‘i for this fashion contest.
These include legendary fashion designers and Hawaiian cultural practitioners Nalani Kanaka‘ole and her husband Sig Zane, Keane Akao, the godson of the mu‘umu‘u designing master Nake‘u Awai, and renowned hula dancer Kanoelehua “Kanoe” Miller.
“Wow!” Hiramoto said. “I cannot wait to see what our designers create. There are still a few more days for designers to enter this contest.”
In addition to the fashion show, the Mu‘umu‘i Pa‘ina Luncheon’s stage will be filled with a variety of special Hawaiian musicians taking turns seranading the audience throughout the afternoon.
During the event, Hiramoto suggested people walking around to view the more than a dozen historical fashion displays demonstrating Hawai‘i’s unique fashion past and future.
Pa‘ina guests will also be offered an opportunity to purchase lei, or build-your-own-bouquet at the Pua Bar.
Additionally, the Kaua‘i Historical Society will be hosting a silent auction featuring unique experiences, vintage items, locally made products, and lots more to go along with a full buffet of the “yummiest” lunch.
Individual tickets for the pa‘ina are available at www.muumuupaina.eventbrite.com. For those wanting to purchase a table of 10, contact Pammy Chock at info@kauaihistoricalsociety.org.
Additionally, in conjunction with the monthlong celebration of mu‘umu‘u, with proof of purchase of the pa‘ina ticket, Keoki’s Paradise is offering free Hula Pies throughout the month.
The Kaua‘i Historial Society has partnered with other Kaua‘i nonprofit organizations to offer other fun (and in many case, free) events for anyone to participate in the appreciation of the mu‘umu‘u.
These include Local Kine Trivia hosted by Zavier Cummings @howsdisguy at the Kaua‘i Museum on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Grove Farm Museum (reservations needed) tours on Jan. 6 and 24 starting at 10 a.m., the Historic Lihu‘e Walking Tour with author Pat Griffin (reservations needed) on Jan. 13 starting at 4 p.m.
Kaua‘i Museum will host a Mu‘umu‘u Market on Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring O‘ahu vendor Mu‘umu‘u Library Swap Rack and DeStash Hawai‘i, and Kaua‘i vendors offering crafts, mu‘u and vintage at the museum’s courtyard.
Hiramoto said in keeping with the mu‘umu‘u appreciation theme, mu‘u or aloha wear is suggested for all events.
“It’s my great joy to be a part of the revival of mu‘umu‘u wearing,” Hiramoto said.
