LIHUE — Everyone can wear a muumuu, it was demonstrated Friday when Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami presented a formal proclamation to the Kauai Historical Society marking January as Muumuu Month.
Even men can join the celebration of the muumuu by wearing an aloha shirt, Kawakami said, pointing out his vintage Tori Richard shirt he acquired from a vintage store. Muumuu is embraced by a lot of people, he said, as evidenced by the large number of department heads and workers who were garbed in the Hawaiian fashion.
The Kauai Historical Society was designated the recipient to the proclamation and received thanks from Kawakami for “celebrating the muumuu as an endearing part of Hawaii’s culture and fashion history.”
“I asked Carol Yotsuda of the Garden Island Arts Council to come and support,” said Shannon Hiramoto, considered the founder of Muumuu Month in 2015. “Today is the day the ladies get together and sew for the Boro Boro Boutique so I told them this proclamation presentation was a good time for a break.”
The muumuu is a shortened, or cut-off version of the holoku, a tailored dress featuring a high collar and train, patterned after the Mother Hubbard dresses worn by missionaries to Hawaii in the 1820s.
The fashion was quickly adopted for everyday wear in Hawaii, and today, many people still enjoy wearing the flowing garment that has endured a number of adaptations among the Hawaiian people and fashion designers around the world.
The Kauai Historical Society has planned numerous events, many being described as family-friendly, throughout the month leading to the highlight Muumuu Paina Luncheon on Jan. 19 at the Smith’s Tropical Paradise gardens.
Other events include tours of historic places and facilities like the Grove Farm Museum, and the Muumuu in the Meadow at Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow in Kokee. A full schedule of events for the month as well as more information on the Muumuu Paina Luncheon can be found on the Kauai Historical Society’s website at www.kauaihistoricalsociety.org.
“These are just the events being put on by the Kauai Historical Society,” Hiramoto said. “I have seen notices of other muumuu events being put on by other groups celebrating the muumuu.”
One of the new events is the Muumuu Repair Drop-in and Sew Day being held at Kaiaulu at Hale Lihue Community Center on Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Kaiaulu is the former barre studio that was known as the Ulu Room,” Hiramoto said. “Ha Coffee is on the inside and people can come in to have their muumuu fixed. It’s all part of the Rice Street Business Association and the Downtown Lihue Night Market that starts when the event is done.”
A similar event takes place on Jan. 10 at the Hanapepe Art Night Keiki Activities, and more.
“Shoppers can check out Fonda’s Daughter for their vintage muumuu and aloha shirts,” Hiramoto said. “Next door at the Hanapepe Hawaiian Congregational Church, there will be activities for keiki. Fonda’s Daughter has become a key shop at Hanapepe Art Night.”
Hiramoto started January is Muumuu Month back in 2015 when she started wearing a different muumuu each day and posting on social media.
