Residents can help preserve Kauai’s unique culture by dressing up. At its Threads of Kauai’s History event on Oct. 28, the Kauai Historical Society will celebrate clothing that reflects diverse cultures of the island by asking guests to wear their
Residents can help preserve Kauai’s unique culture by dressing up.
At its Threads of Kauai’s History event on Oct. 28, the Kauai Historical Society will celebrate clothing that reflects diverse cultures of the island by asking guests to wear their historical threads on the runway.
The non-profit’s fundraising event aims to bring in necessary funds that are critical to keep the struggling organization in operation.
“Like many other nonprofits, we must continue applying for grants from the state and other entities, but the competition is intense,” said Donna Stewart, publicity assistant for Kauai Historical Society. “Through partnering with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and local foundations, we are continuing to sponsor talks on Kauai history. We are also striving to increase memberships and selling publications at community events.”
The society also needs enough qualified staff to continue providing public services like managing in-depth historical collections and fulfilling detailed research requests.
“We’re the only real archive of historic documents and maps for Kauai and Niihau. We even have a huge archive of The Garden Island newspaper,” Stewart said. “A lot of people want to have the information we have but until we make it accessible, there’s no value in it.”
The organization desperately needs volunteers to help with cataloging and scanning its more than 10,000 historical photos, she said.
With just three paid employees and three active volunteers, the Historic Society needs more help, including a new executive director, and more funding to make archives accessible to the public.
The Threads of Kauai History fundraiser will highlight unique forms of clothing and utilitarian items used on Kauai in slightly different ways by various cultures.
Every culture in Hawaii will be on display, from kapa (cloth from mulberry bark) made by Native Hawaiians and ranging to cotton and silk favored by Chinese immigrants, Japanese and Okinawan kimonos and handmade shoes, denim palaka (plaid) shirts worn by paniolos, Filipino terno dresses and barongs (embroidered shirts), festive skirts and aprons brought out for Portuguese festas, and other styles of everyday and special occasion “threads.”
“Threads or fibers have been made into baskets, fish nets and rope of many materials that can bind canoes, houses and countless applications,” Stewart said. “We will display many examples. They will certainly remind us of useful things we grew up with and now appreciate. Leis made of diverse materials and assembled in different ways are also threads that connect family and friends.”
To celebrate the cultural history in clothing, attendees are encouraged to wear vintage clothing from any culture or to wear something modern that’s influenced by a particular culture. During the evening, an emcee will encourage people to circulate among the tables in the ballroom to share their “threads.”
A few prized examples of quilts from the Kauai Historical Society collection that preserve history and culture will also be displayed. Grove Farm Museum is loaning a kapa sleeping mat made of seven layers, each painstakingly prepared, for the event.
Honored guests will be Phyllis Kunimura and Bob Schleck, who spearheaded the restoration of the Historic County Building on Rice Street, a project that took over 20 years to complete.
A brand-new video documentary featuring the two community leaders tied to Kauai’s history will be premiered at the fundraiser.
Titled “Tenacity for Preservation,” the video exemplifies the importance of historical preservation, from buildings and documents to artifacts and culture. The video was shot, edited and produced by Jana Rothenberg Blay, videographer and member of the Historical Society’s board of directors.
Musicians Kelii Kanealii and Garrett Santos will also be performing at the event. Marriott’s chefs will prepare a buffet of hot and cold pupus, and cash bars will be available. Mark Rossi and Pua Rossi Fukino will add mellow Hawaiian music and hula. Attendees can enter prize drawings for dining, hotel stays and gift baskets.
“Threads literally means fabrics, but it also means connections to generations, which is so so important in Hawaiian history and culture,” Stewart said. “The thread of even a song could start as a chant and then be put to music and now be modernized by contemporary composers and arrangements that people can relate to. But in the background, the original meaning is still preserved.”
The Threads of Kauai History will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 28 at Kauai Marriott Resort at Kalapaki.
Reservations are required, and prices range from $40 for students to $75 for non-members.
Info: www.kauaihistoricalsociety.org/events, (808) 245-3373
