LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i was well-represented, taking two of the three top awards last Saturday during the Mu‘u at the Museum event that was a fundraiser for the Queen Emmalani’s Summer Palace on O‘ahu.
Hosted by the Daughters of Hawai‘i as a fundraiser for the upkeep of the Queen Emmalani’s Summer Palace, the Mu‘u at the Museum coincided with January being observed as Mu‘umu‘u Month and celebrated the mu‘u mu‘u, holoku, and aloha attire.
Nialani Green, the daughter of Capt. Rod and Barbara Green, earned the Most Elegant award for her mu‘u mu‘u that is an interpretation of the iconic Queen Emmalani holoku rendered in a black-and-white photo of Queen Emma and the christening cup that was gifted to her by Queen Victoria.
Barbara earned the Avante Garde award for her green holoku that is emblazoned with iconic pieces similar to those found on the Filipino elegant dress terno.
“I’m feeling so grateful for being from the Garden Island, right now,” Barbara said. “Especially, following the historic championship by the Kapa‘a Warriors football team.”
O‘ahu designer Puamana Crabbe was voted the Most Vintage.
Barbara said contest winners were determined by the attendees who cast their votes through the three gems presented when the entered. A green gem voted for Most Vintage, a teal gem voted for Avant-garde, and a clear gem voted for Most Elegant.
In addition to the mu‘u mu‘u award winners, Jamilee Jimenez, a Kaua‘i resident and full-time mu‘u mu‘u advocate, served as the day’s Mistress of Ceremonies.
“Thanks to Shannon Hiramoto — yes, she lives on Kaua‘i, too — the mu‘u mu‘u month movement continues to grow with much momentum across the state,” Barbara said. “A similar event will take place, Saturday on the Big Island.”
Hiramoto started the first Mu‘u mu‘u Month celebration in 2015 as part of an effort to celebrate and preserve the legacy and tradition of the mu‘u mu‘u in Hawai‘i.
The mu‘umu‘u was introduced to Hawai‘i in the 19th Century, patterned after dresses worn by Protestant missionaries in the 1820s. The garment was modified and adapted into a more comfortable and loose form to suit the warm, tropical climate in Hawai‘i.
Adapting to changes over the years, the mu‘umu‘i is still worn today by modern woen for their comfort, ease and traditional beauty.
Businesses, organizations, and community groups don mu‘u mu‘u as special event days such as the 3540 Warehouse in Lawai, the birthplace of Hiramoto’s efforts in 2015, having women wear mu‘u mu‘u whenever feasible.
Vicky’s Fabrics in Kapa‘a, whose founder Vicky Masuoka has been sewing mu‘u mu‘u for longer than 40 years, unofficially directs its staff to wear mu‘u mu‘u on Fridays in observance of the mu‘u mu‘u month. Vicky’s Fabrics celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2022.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
