HFM: 'Iolani Sportswear marks 60-year milestone

Nadine Kam photos
From left, Carla and Lloyd Kawakami with sons Nick and Alex, who have built up 'Iolani Sportswear, the company started by patriarch and matriarch Keiji and Edith Kawakami in 1953.

'Iolani Sportswear celebrated its 60th anniversary with a rooftop garage party at the company headquarters at 1234 Kona St., above Side Street Inn, which catered the fundraising party.

Casual fashion shows highlighted recent designs from the company that continues to build on the success of founders Keiji and Edith Kawakami, with the addition of contemporary street wear to complement classic aloha wear collections.

In between fashion shows and enjoying the food, guests could browse the 'Iolani Sportswear shop, with proceeds from the evening's sales and admission benefiting the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, which is also marking 60 years.

The event was a part of Hawai'i Fashion Month, and the company will also be celebrated, along with Hilo Hattie (marking its 50th anniversary) and Fighting Eel (celebrating 10 years) during the Governor's Fashion Awards taking place Oct. 30 at The MODERN Honolulu. The event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125 at governorsfashionawards2013.eventbrite.com


Non-flash video

Miss Hawaii 2013 Crystal Lee on the runway in 'Iolani.

 Kapala provided music for the event. Manoa DNA—Lloyd, Alex and Nick Kawakami, showing they have talent beyond fashion—also performed later in the evening, though by then I was off to see the Hawai'i International Film Festival opening night film "Final Recipe." It was a wonderful, warm-hearted foodie film, so catch it when it comes back.

Favorite dishes from Side Street Inn were on the evening's menu.