Pohopoho

We have mentioned before that in the Hawaiian language it is common to repeat a word for emphasis. Take huli huli chicken, for example. Huli means "to turn". So if you cook chicken on a spit or rotisserie it is called huli huli chicken. Chicken that has been turned a lot! Among the many definitions for poho is "patch, as in clothes; to patch, mend." When clothing is mended it commonly involves sewing (appliqueing) a small patch over a tear. In quilting if you have a quilt, or kapa, that has many patches, or appliques, it would be called a kapa pohopoho.

Tropical II, is a kapa pohopoho with Angel's Trumpet, Ulu (or Breadfruit), Plumeria, Monstera, Torch Ginger and Orchid. The individual blocks in this quilt are 21" square.

Did you know? Many of our Hawaiian wall quilt patterns also include a companion 21" block pattern. These block patterns can be used to make pillows to coordinate with your wall quilt, can be added to pohopoho quilts, can be used in sampler quilts, and can be a starting place for a person new to applique or Hawaiian quilting. We also have other block patterns available on our Hawaiian Block Quilt Pattern Page.

We have several examples of beautiful kapa pohopoho in the Hawaiian Quilt Album in our Flickr Gallery.