Name/Title
Hawaiian Quilt - Na Peahi o Kaahumanu (Queen Kaahumanu’s fans)Entry/Object ID
MK_0016Description
This vibrant piece is one of 30, original Hawaiian quilts crafted under the supervision of Meali'i Kalama, commissioned by hotel founder Laurance Rockefeller in the 1960s.
Upon opening the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Rockefeller sought quilts from Kalama, a distinguished local quilt artist, to honor the islands' rich quilting tradition spanning over a century.
Using a pastel red applique in a single contour stitch, Kalama and her team fashioned this exquisite fan-shaped floral and leaf design, a reference to the fans of Queen Ka'ahumanu, the most favoured and politically powerful of King Kamehameha's wives.
Containing over 2 million stitches and the product of more than 1,000 hours of meticulous work, this quilt merges contemporary craftsmanship with historical practices, offering a stunning insight into Hawaiian culture.
This treasured piece has been in the Mauna Kea's collection since 1965, when Laurance Rockefeller developed the hotel, and was very recently reframed.Made/Created
Date made
circa 1960Place
State/Province
Hawai'iCountry
U.S.A.Continent
North AmericaDimensions
Height
84 inLength
84 inHeight
90-3/4 inWidth
92-1/2 inDepth
4 inLength
90-3/4 inLocation
Area
5th Floor Mauka-South WingFloor
5th FloorBuilding
Main Tower* Untyped Location
Storage ShedFloor
5th FloorBuilding
Main TowerFloor
5th FloorBuilding
Main Tower