Mokihana Club, Macy’s Fashion Show Supports Music Scholarships (w/ video)

Montana is seen here modeling an outfit from Macy’s.

Fashion and food joined forces last weekend to raise funds for music scholarships for Kaua‘i’s youth. And one of the consequences was a heck of a good time.

The “Spring Fling Fashion Show” organized by the Mokihana Club attracted 180 people to the Jasmine Ballroom at Kaua‘i Beach Resort March 8.

Several members of the oldest women’s club in the state — it was founded in 1905 — took the catwalk in three different rounds during the fashion show featuring clothing from Macy’s store, which is managed by Katie Gov.

From left to right, Music Scholarship Chair Barbara Adair, Mokihana Club President Winnie Lu and Fashion Show Chair Helena Coonley.

“Kauai is a very feminine island,” said former Mayor Maryanne Kusaka, a guest speaker at the event. “So many organizations and corporations are being run by women … because I’m sure they know women get the job done.”

However, it was the only man on the catwalk, Kaua‘i Concert Association President Jason Blake, who caused the loudest cheers from the public, made mostly of women.

Besides the fashion show, the women enjoyed a three-course meal prepared by the resort’s chefs.

Paula Goldsberry, of Goddess in Training, models an outfit from Macy’s at the Jasmine Ballroom at Kaua‘i Beach Resort.

The funds raised in the event will add to other Mokihana fundraisers throughout the year and go toward at least three music scholarships for Kaua‘i’s aspiring young musicians, according to the nonprofit’s president, Winnie Lu.

Helena Coonley, chair of the fashion show, said she has been a Mokihana member since 2001, and throughout the years she has seen many young talents — boys and girls — benefit from the scholarship. She said she expects the club to fundraise at least $9,000 this year to divide among winners of a music scholarship competition.