Celebrate Hawaiian Culture and Dresses at the Mu‘umu‘u Library

Head librarian Leiolani Faurot in the library’s workshop area. Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

It’s been exciting to watch the mu‘umu‘u movement gain momentum on O‘ahu. Over the past few years, mu‘u-themed events have been popping up around town. In 2022, Gov. David Ige declared January as Mu‘umu‘u Month. And this past summer, the Mu‘umu‘u Library, a project started in 2019 by Marion Camo (below, right) to facilitate the sharing of vintage mu‘umu‘u, opened a studio space at Ward Centre.

Photo: Courtesy of Mu‘umu‘u Library

Along with borrowing dresses, members can take educational workshops and access sewing equipment, patterns and literature. Cared for by head librarian (translation: operations manager) Leiolani Faurot, the library’s 500-plus dresses, which range in size from double-XS to three-XL, include a wide variety of Island labels either thrifted by Jones or received as donations from fashion houses and collectors.

Memberships are available as monthly or yearly packages, with tiered access. But nonmembers can still get in on the fun via the library’s swap rack—bring a Hawai‘i-label mu‘u, and you can take one home in exchange. It also plans to hold monthly events, such as its Mu‘u Kalikimaka party on Dec. 8, celebrating the garment.

“We want to normalize wearing mu‘umu‘u, even the fanciest, as an everyday thing and enjoying the feeling of pride that comes with that,” Faurot says.

Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., muumuulibrary.org, @muumuulibrary

SEE ALSO: Gorgeous Mu‘umu‘u Worn at Mu‘u at the Museum 2023