Name/Title
Hawaiian Quilt - Flag and Coat of ArmsEntry/Object ID
MK_0032Description
This vibrant piece is one of 30 Hawaiian quilts crafted under the supervision of Meali'i Kalama, commissioned by hotel founder Laurance Rockefeller in the 1960s.
Upon opening the Mauna Kea, Rockefeller sought quilts from Kalama, a distinguished local quilt artist, to honor the islands' rich quilting tradition spanning over a century.
This quilt, containing over 2 million stitches and the product of more than 1,000 hours of meticulous work by Kalama and her colleagues, is designed based on the Hawaiian flag, with a central Hawaiian coat of arms.
Hawaiian royalty and its symbols became frequent subjects after the American overthrow of the monarchy in 1893. When the US annexed the kingdom just five years later, flying the Hawaiian flag - which had been adapted from the British Union Jack given to Kamehameha I by Captain Vancouver in 1794 - a sign of rebellion.
In the form of a quilt, the flag could be covertly displayed for private viewing or occasional secret gatherings that venerated the ancient traditions of Hawai'i. Upon statehood in 1959, the emblem was revived and became the state's official flag.
This special quilt was presented as a gift to Rockefeller in recognition of their partnership, and has remained in the hotel's collection ever since it was founded. Though longtime guests of the hotel may have previously seen this peice on display near the elevators of the main lobby, the peice was recently moved after it was reframed and restored.Made/Created
Place
State/Province
Hawai'iCountry
U.S.A.Continent
North AmericaDimensions
Height
93-1/2 inLength
92 inLocation
Room
Discovery CenterFloor
2nd FloorBuilding
Beach WingRoom
Lloyd Sexton Gallery (LSG)Floor
Promenade LevelBuilding
Main TowerArea
Lobby Elevator BreezewayFloor
Lobby LevelBuilding
Main Tower