Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 9, 1 September 1985 — Daughters' Quilt Exhibit Accents Hawaiian Flag [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Daughters' Quilt Exhibit Accents Hawaiian Flag

Rare, fragile and delicate were some of the Hawaiian flag quilts and other quilts from the collection of the Daughters of Hawaii whieh were exhibited for the first time throughout July at the Queen Emma Summer Palaee. Six of the 1 1 quilts dealt exclusively with the Hawaiian or American flags and five dealt with crowns, flowers, wreath and lei. Most of them were made in the late 1800s, the oldest reported to be from the 1880s. It wasan interestingexhibit and thesponsors were pleased at its acceptance. Another exhibit with a different theme is being planned for later this year. T ourists made up the bulk of visitors during the exhibition as the loeal folks were conspicuous by their absence. Rare indeed were these quilts that "do not touch" signs appeared beside eaeh one.

Hawaiian quilting, whieh is an adaptation of American quilting brought by the New England missionaries, is characterized by its fine stitching and is usually a design of only one color appliqued on another background color. Kuu Hae Aloha, the traditional Hawaiian flag quilt, is an exception. These were made around the time of annexation to show devotion to the flag of the Hawaiian kingdom, and later quilts made to depict the American flag. One of the most interesting flag quilts was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Midkiff. It shows the twins Kameeiamoku and Kamanawa as facing outward. This change of their position, it was reported, eame during King Kalakaua's time. On other flag quilts, the twins face inward.

This is one of the Hawaiian flag quilts on display during the Daughters of Hawaii exhibit in July.