Name/Title
Hawaiian Quilt - Halakahiki (Pineapple)Entry/Object ID
MK_0027Description
This vibrant piece is one of 23 Hawaiian quilts crafted under the supervision of Meali'i Kalama, commissioned by the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in the 1980s.
Kalama, a distinguished local quilt artist, had previously crafted a collection of 30 original quilts at the request of hotel founder Laurance Rockefeller in the 1960s, to honor the islands' rich quilting tradition spanning over a century. But by the 1980s, many of the original pieces had to be replaced following 20 years of guest handling and exposure to the elements within the hotel.
Kalama was honored to continue to contribute to the Mauna Kea’s quilt collection, but for this commission, without Rockefeller's prior direction to use pastel tones, she was allowed to design the quilts in brighter colors. Using a green applique in a single contour stitch,
Kalama and her team fashioned this exquisite pineapple design, a reference to the bright tropical fruit often grown across the islands.
Containing over 2 million stitches and the product of more than 1,000 hours of meticulous work, this quilt representing the Lanikaula’s grove 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. Longtime guests of the hotel may have previously seen this peice on display on the 6th Floor of the Main Tower.Made/Created
Date made
circa 1978Place
State/Province
Hawai'iCountry
U.S.A.Continent
North AmericaDimensions
Height
84 inLength
84 inHeight
90-5/8 inLength
90-3/4 inLocation
Room
Discovery CenterFloor
2nd FloorBuilding
Beach WingFloor
6th FloorBuilding
Main Tower