BY LISA MARIE DAHM
North Hawaii News

When the Anuenue Quilters of North Kohala group wanted to give back to Anna Ranch Heritage Center in Waimea for their hospitality, they chose the perfect gift – a quilt designed and sewn by all its members.

According to Joan Moynahan, the group’s coordinator, the quilting group meets regularly in the center’s Tea Room for three hours every Thursday.

“We so appreciate the opportunity to use the beautiful space looking out over the mountain,” Moynahan said. “It is just a lovely room; perfect for sewing and quilting.”

She said after deciding on the gift, the group first chose a quilt pattern, then pooled their quilter’s “stash” of fabric to use for the project from their homes. Their only purchase was some black fabric. Members worked on the quilt during their Thursday sessions and also worked on sections separately.

The project, which group member Paulette Clayton quilted by hand, took about two months to complete. Moynahan said normally it wouldn’t take as many hours to finish, but her goal was to create a group project.

“It was quite a process, but I wanted as many ladies as possible to participate in the making of the quilt,” Moynahan said.

The Thursday afternoons sessions are important to the members of Anuenue Quilters, who come not just from Waimea, but also travel from Kona, Waikoloa, Honokaa, Kapaau, and Mauna Lani with some members who live in Minnesota and California joining when they are in town.

According to Moynahan, the quilt gift fits in perfectly with the purpose of the Anuenue Quilters. Their mission is to preserve the traditions, culture, and history of quilting and to promote the knowledge and understanding of the art of quilting through continuing education services for members and public education activities.

Their focus includes a bond of friendship and mutual understanding that goes beyond their willingness to participate in quilting projects, activities and skills.

Maka Wiggins, program manager for Anna Ranch, said the gift was an important contribution to the center.

“It is people like the Anuenue Quilters that sustain ongoing preservation and conservation efforts here at Anna Ranch,” Wiggins said.

The quilt measures 56 inches by 64 inches and is now on display in the Anna Ranch gift shop.

“It turned out very nicely and it is now in their shop for someone to love it also and to buy it,” Moynahan said.

The Anuenue Quilters of North Kohala group meets at Anna Ranch from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Thursday for their group workdays. For information on the Anuenue Quilters of North Hawaii, call Moynahan at 885-8830.