Mokihana Club steps out to install new officers

WAILUA — Even the chairperson who did the table decorations didn’t make it, said Mokihana Club member Helena Cooney, Wednesday during the first in-person meeting of the Mokihana Club since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“She had to go on the wait list,” Cooney said. “The officials were real strict about allowing only 25 people to attend. If you called as No. 26, you were put on the wait list.”

Currently, the Mokihana Club sports a membership of more than 80 people. Just 25, including members of the new 2021 board, members were allowed to the Lydgate Park main pavilion to enjoy a bento lunch following the installation of the new board members led by President Sylissa Franklin, and officiated by outgoing president Terri Gately.

With Franklin taking the lead as president, Gately becomes the club’s second vice president. Other officers being installed include Kay Little taking the reins as the first vice president, Donna Wilcox continuing over from the 2020 board as the treasurer, Aileen Christman taking the pen as the club’s Recording Secretary, Bertie Bloom being the Corresponding Secretary, and Barbara Eazell is the club Parliamentarian.

“After not seeing each other for more than a year, we do a lot of reading,” said Mokihana Club member Suzanne Ellis who patronized the Book Exchange maintained by club member Belinda Bartels. “There are a lot of titles coming in, but also a lot going out.”

Bento payments were spearheaded by Elyse Litvack, also the founder of Kumu’s Cupboard, and Dot O’Reilly.

The Mokihana Club, the largest woman’s organization on the island, is celebrating its 116th year of service to Kaua‘i.

The written object is “to promote the social, cultural, and civic life of the community.”

Information: Melanie Muranaka 801-427-6336.