The Mokihana Club installed its officers for the coming year at its annual potluck luncheon June 6, at the historic Lihu‘e United Church Parish Hall. Outgoing president Mary June Purvis officiated at the installation of president Donna Lee, first vice
The Mokihana Club installed its officers for the coming year at its annual potluck luncheon June 6, at the historic Lihu‘e United Church Parish Hall.
Outgoing president Mary June Purvis officiated at the installation of president Donna Lee, first vice president Carolyn Knepper, second vice Ppresident Sandra Gage, recording secretary Ruth Fite, corresponding secretary Norah Heppard, treasurer Mary McMillan, parliamentarian Georgene Yamada and auditor Carol Nance.
The members were delighted with the beautiful koa wood box made by Ray Nitta, and given to the club by president Mary June Purvis. It has fittings for the two gavels owned by the club, and a brass plaque in the lid which records the date and donor.
Shortly after the club’s founding, someone made a mokihana wood gavel for the women who were still meeting in their homes. Years later when the mallet began to split, a brass plaque reading “Mokihana Club” was made and attached around the head of the gavel.
Later, treasuring the gavel made of mokihana wood, the Club purchased another gavel.
The historic gavel disappeared and was forgotten. During a fall housecleaning of the parish hall in 2006, the antique mokihana wood gavel was discovered in the recesses of a storage closet, and given to President Mary June Purvis who was inspired to have the koa wood box made for it.
