Mokihana Club hits 103

The Mokihana Club, a cultural and community-service women’s organization, will hold the first meeting of its 103rd year on Wednesday, at 10 a.m. in the Lihu‘e United Church Parish Hall, 4340 Old Nawilliwilli Road.

The women of the Mokihana club were initially drawn together when they put on a fair in June l905 to help fund the construction of Kaua‘i’s first public hall, the community building to be used for meetings, social gatherings, dances and performances.

The June 24, 1905, edition of The Garden Island featured the fair on its front page. The article states: “On that day all roads led to the fair,” with attendees “from all races of our cosmopolitan population. It was not the white man’s day or enjoyment alone nor mainly, for every class and every fancy” was represented.

Thirteen booths staffed by women from Lihu‘e and Hana-ma‘ulu sold sweets, plants, clothing, preserves, and handicrafts.

The dinner included Coney’s chowder, “steaming and savory,” duck, and sauerkraut, all for 25 cents. With the proceeds from the fair, the group that was to become the Mokihana Club was able to pay for the completion of Lihu‘e’s first public hall. At that time the building stood across the road from the present Kaua‘i Museum.

Members of the Mokihana Club are diverse in age and ethnicity, religious and social background. The club’s activities since its beginning have included pioneering for a public library, island beautification and health issues, assisting the YWCA Women’s Shelter, supporting the arts with scholarships for high-school students, and providing nursing scholarships for students at Kaua‘i Community College.

New officers for 2007-08 are Donna Lee, president; Carolyn Knepper 1st vice-president; Sandra Gage, 2nd vice-president; Nora Heppard, corresponding secretary; Joan Mills, newsletter; Ruth Fite, recording secretary; Lil Riley, treasurer, with Ruth Fite; Georgene Yamada, parliamentarian; and Carol Nance, auditor.