We started Kenui Quilts back in the early 90’s because of our background at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Over a period, we noticed the interest in Hawaiian Quilting but realized that quilting for resell was not available in Hawaii. Local quilters would quilt for family only leaving everyone else without the opportunity to own and appreciate Hawaiian quilting for themselves.
In the early 90’s Hawaiian Airline stewardess were introducing Hawaiian quilting to quilters in the Philippines and a small cottage industry was borne. When Costco came to us and asked us if we would create a Hawaiian Quilt “Roadshow” for their Hawaii based warehouses we decided to research and source out those ladies in the Philippines who were quilting in the Hawaiian Style. In 1995 we introduced to the Hawaiian Market the first Costco Roadshow showcasing the Hawaiian Style of Quilting hand made in the Philippines. It was a success and local people from all the islands and mainland appreciated the hand craftsmanship of quilters. This led to retailers contacting us and from that we created our wholesale distribution business surrounding Hawaiian Style of Quilting.
There were some detractors who questioned if a quilt hand made in the Philippines could be a “Hawaiian Quilt”. I think Nalani Goard a Master Hawaiian Quilter here on Oahu summed it up best, she said “Hawaiian Quilting is a method of quilting not a geographical location……a quilter does not have to be Hawaiian or live in Hawaii to quilt a Hawaiian Quilt, all he or she needs to demonstrate is the manner in which they quilt”.
Kenui Quilts has been offering Quality Hawaiian Quilts for over 28 years. We are proud of being able to bring to the market high quality at reasonable and affordable prices.