MEDIA RELEASE

Celebrate spring with flowers, fashion and fun at the “Lavender Blue” musical review and luncheon 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant & Gardens.

The event starts at 10 a.m. with an arts and crafts fair in the Gardens of Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant. Offerings by local and celebrity artisans include lauhala hats, fresh flower lei and lei po’o, feather hat lei and feather art, and fresh flower bouquets.

Fashions by Hawaiian designer Nakeu Awai will be featured during an 11:45 a.m. lunch and musical revue that weaves together romantic vignettes of the paniolo lifestyle, with special tribute to the strong and beautiful women ranchers such as the late Anna Lindsey Perry Fiske.

“Expect oohs and ahs as Nakeu enthralls the audience with the ambiance he weaves using fashions, flowers and music – all under the umbrella theme ‘Lavender Blue’,” says Kathy Clarke, event coordinator. “For this event, Nakeu is bringing back his much-loved coral print, as well as a variety of fashions in new and exciting designs.” 

Winner of the 2008 Oo Award by the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Nakeu has spent the last 30 years designing distinctive island fashions. He is known for his development of unique prints for his fabrics and the commissioning of special designs from many local artisans.

A signature of Nakeu’s revues is participation by community residents as models. This year, expect to see Riley Smith, Wally Wong, Pat Bergin and Aulii Kirsch among those showcasing his fashions. 

Music for the event will be provided by Kupukaa.

The event is a benefit for Paniolo Preservation Society. Tickets are available in advance for the lunch and musical revue: $45 in advance and $55 at the door based on availability. Advance reservations are recommended as there is limited seating. A credit card number is required to confirm your reservation. 

To reserve a seat, call Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant at 887-2200.