For three hours on a Saturday evening, more than 250 guests at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s 21st biennial Scholarship Auction left their cares at the door and focused on the task at hand — raising money for student scholarships.
For three hours on a Saturday evening, more than 250 guests at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s 21st biennial Scholarship Auction left their cares at the door and focused on the task at hand — raising money for student scholarships.
The result far exceeded scholarship auction director Mollie Hustace’s expectations.
On April 25, at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel Ballroom, during an evening that Hustace now describes as “enchanting,” $673,850 was raised for the school’s financial aid program. This year’s auction was co-chaired by Laurie Ainslie, board of trustees member and former board chairperson, and Bernard Noguès, director emeritus of Isaacs Art Center.
Wendy McClain of McClain’s Ultimate Attic on Oahu presided over her first HPA Scholarship Auction and tirelessly moved 54 items in three hours. Bids ranged from $1,000 to $42,000 with spirited bidding for “hot” items such as a 15-strand Niihau shell lei for $7,000, Joseph Henry Sharp’s “Waianae Coast O‘ahu,” an oil on board, for $10,500, and use of a new BMW i3 electric car for $11,500.
Also moved were a private Jake Shimabukuro concert for 30 people for $16,500, and Jules Tavernier’s “Kilauea Eruption By Moonlight,” an oil on canvas, for $42,000.