Since 1916, The Mokihana Club has been supporting Kauai’s healthcare system, starting with the first public health nurse hired to the island that year.
And Saturday, March 9, the club is continuing the tradition into 2019 with a fundraising concert that will raise scholarship money for nursing and music students at Kauai Community College.
“Each year the club does some big event to raise money,” said Terri Gately, club spokeswoman and member. “In the past they’ve done the golf scramble, and this year we’ve decided to do this big concert.”
Headlining The Mokihana Club Scholarship Benefit Concert and Silent Auction are Hawaiian slack-key guitar masters Keola Beamer and Jeff Peterson, with Moanalani Beamer.
“We’re real excited about that, and love their music, and most people in the community are familiar with them,” Gately said.
The silent auction items have poured in from all over the island, and people can bid on hotel stays and restaurant gift certificates, spa treatments, quilts and tours.
“There’s such a variety of items in all price ranges, with something for everyone,” Gately said.
There’ll also be a no-host bar so people can get wine and beer.
The event will be at the AquaKauai Beach Resort. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the silent auction and the concert starts at 7 p.m.
Proceeds go to the scholarship fund. That partnership between The Mokihana Club and KCC was created in 2003.
Music came onto the scene in 1955, when The Mokihana Club sponsored the first performance of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra on Kauai.
Though the sponsorship of music programs was taken over by the Kauai Concert Association, The Mokihana Club was still interested in helping young people with musical talent.
An annual music scholarship was established, one that awards scholarships to qualifying high school graduates who wish to pursue musical studies.
Lately, The Mokihana Club has about 20 people apply for the scholarships in total, with a majority of the applications coming from the medical sector of study.
In 2018, about 15 scholarships were given out for nursing students, and six were given out to music students.
“It’s a nice amount so they (students) can get started in college. Each scholarship might be different,” Gately said. “Usually, it’s about $20,000 to the nursing program and $5,000 or $10,000 for music students, depending on funds. There’s far more nursing students who apply.”
To date, a total of $112,000 in scholarships has been awarded to honor and support students who choose to study nursing.
Founded by Mable Wilcox, The Mokihana Club is open to all women, and the mission is to “be a force of social and cultural stimulation, and to undertake civic development and improvement on the island of Kauai.”
Tickets are $50 for general admission and $75 for golden circle admission. They can be purchased at www.themokihanaclub.org or by calling 755-5235.
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Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
