Megan Hadley

On Saturday night, August 13th, the ballroom at the King Kamehameha Hotel was filled with twinkling lights, long dresses and illuminated runways to raise funds and awareness for HIV on the Big Island. Raise the Runway, a fundraiser sponsored by Kumakahi Health + Wellness, a nonprofit that provides a safe haven for people living with HIV in Hawaii, is a dream come true.

Cindy Medeiros, Director of Operations, Kumakahi Health + Wellness, said: “It’s been difficult coming out of COVID-19, but we’re getting some normalcy back. It’s also our one year anniversary since our rebranding, so the fashion show is a big night for us.”

The fashion show featured four local designers who styled and created from Hawaii. Plus, they put the show together in less than six weeks.

“How long does it really take? About six months,” said Aloha Victor of Kauruae Hawaii Designs, a local designer.

“But we are here tonight to support this amazing nonprofit and help our community. We haven’t stopped working. We’re completely starving,” he laughed.

For Victor, fashion is about celebrating one’s unique style and breaking away from guidelines.

“To me, fashion is about designing the way you want it. I design for fun and try not to follow the rules of fashion,” he said. Everything we make is made in Hawaii, even the fabrics are finished and styled on the Big Island.It’s important to us.Our money. I want to know where is going and the people who work in this industry.”

However, due to COVID-19, all Kauruae Hawaii merchandise is now online.

“We currently use our store as a storage location, but you can find us on our website and on Instagram,” he said.

For Medeiros, the fashion show was a way to get back into the community after the COVID-19 hiatus.

“This night was an opportunity to go out again and collaborate with these incredible fashion designers,” she said. “We get to showcase their art through fashion. It’s really come to life. It’s exciting to see it all play out on the runway.”

“And we know it’s very short notice, but we’re proud of how it all came together and how hard everyone worked,” she continued. rice field.

Kumakahi Health + Wellness provides a comprehensive list of services on the Big Island of Hawaii, including access to healthcare and housing for people living with HIV, food pantry services, and case management programs. They also test and educate in the STD community.

“We also have preparedness services for people who want to protect themselves from HIV,” says Medeiros. “And we have a health insurance program so we can connect people to state health insurance.”

The nonprofit has been on the island for over 35 years since 1989 and continues to grow.

“We want to expand our service in Kona,” says Medeiros.

According to Peter Tui Silva, executive director of Kumakahi Health + Wellness, it’s about creating a safe haven for those in need.

“We’re a safe place for people to come in and not feel judged,” he said. , if you are terrified because you look a certain way and the name of your ID indicates this, come to us.

Kumakahi Health + Wellness is funded by local businesses and governments such as MyBar Kona, the State of Hawaii and United Airlines.

Additionally, with monkeypox on the rise, Kumakahi Health + Wellness also offers immunizations.

“We are a safe place for the monkeypox vaccine,” Medeiros said. “The Nursing Department is in control of them and will continue to help those in need.”

But Medeiros also said there’s no need for the public to panic over the rise in monkeypox.

“We are here to help. We want it to be a place where people can come and get vaccinated,” added Medeiros.

Fundraising efforts like Raise the Runway can help.

“Tonight was the culmination of putting together a beautiful and professional show for the community and answering the cause,” said Silva. “We wanted to show who we are and what we do.” This is us.”

The night was fun and wonderful for partygoer Liz, who asked for her full name to be revoked.

“So excited to see so many beautiful people together in one place. I also like seeing different designers. And models. Tonight was amazing and fundraising for the cause. “I love being active,” she said.

“I will definitely come back next year.”