On this day in 1832, Queen Regent Ka’ahumanu of Hawaii, died after a brief illness. Ka’ahumanu was the most powerful wife of King Kamehameha and after his death she was named Queen Regent, a title similar to a modern-day prime minister. The Queen embraced Christianity and right before her death, missionaries presented her with the first copy of the New Testament printed in the Hawaiian language, bound in red leather with her name engraved in gold letters.

This Kapa Hae Hawaii (Hawaiian Flag Quilt) was made in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s in Hawaii. It was machine pieced, hand appliqued and hand quilted and although the maker’s name is unknown, there is an inscription that reads “E.K.C.” The quilt was documented by its owner, who inherited it, during the Hawaiian Quilt Research Project in 1993.

View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ka%CA%BBahumanu

Posted by Amy E. Milne
Executive Director, Quilt Alliance
amy.milne@quiltalliance.org