Orchid blossoms is a favorite at weddings for center pieces, bride’s bouquets, corsages and even in the brides 
hair. In some weddings the guests even throw orchids instead of the traditional rice. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js651-bk7
Spending the summer with his grandparents in Laie John always spoke about cleaning the Taro Patches and the O’opu that lived within its water. This quilt was designed by John for those summer days in the country. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js662-bk8
Read more about the O’opu by clicking on the photo from The Hawaii Biological Survey. Here are some other amazing links about the Oopu.
Hamakua Marsh, Pacific Worlds, Hawaii Nature Journal
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You can tell how rare or popular a flower is when you find very few images on the Internet and for the Mauna Loa Vine very few images exist. So when John was visiting Hana years ago and came across the Mauna Loa Vine he was excited. The Mauna Loa is a cherished flower in the islands because it is very difficult to find. The flowers were made into beautiful Mauna Loa Lei’s and if you ever received such a lei you knew you were special. The Mauna Loa flower is one of three flowers that will not past agriculture inspection in Honolulu that’s why I call it the locals flower. 45″ x45″ Designed by John Serrao/js650-bk7
I found the photo on Dave’s garden website. Visit his really great page which has one of the largest plant database in the world. Happy Gardening. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/177277/
It only takes 5 days of traveling on the Mainland for me to start missing my island home. Hawaii doesn’t have the amazing four seasons, especially Winter and Fall like the mainland, but we have that nonstop floral blossoms blooming year round, every day rain or shine. This quilt was designed for Hawaii’s Sunny Winter Gardens. 90″ x 90″ Designed by John Serrao
Hapuu Fern – The curls of the young lacy fronds slowly opens into larger leaves that can grow up to 15 feet in length and the tree 15-20 feet tall. Found mostly in the wetlands of the islands the Hapuu held water and helped the Hawaiians survive during times of drought and famine. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js659-bk8, js641-bk7
The Hapuu Fern is my favorite tree fern that was once abundant on all the Hawaiian islands but now only found on Hawaii Island. Over harvesting, diminishing rainforest and housing development has reduced the hapu’u stands drastically. Click on the link to read about this beautiful Native Island Fern from the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources CLICK HERE
Another favorite design of John’s because of it’s long lines and simple uncomplicated beauty, the Heleconia comes in various colors and perfect for the larger floral arrangements. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js672-bk8
Did you know that the Monstera plant is also called the Swiss Cheese Plant. Just look at the leaves and you can see why. Seen though out the Hawaiian Islands in gardens and climbing trees it’s big bold green leaves is a favorite among gardeners. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js652-bk7
The plumeria flower found throughout Polynesia is a favorite in Hawaii. It’s overwhelming scented flower was strung into floral leis and used especially by the hula girls. Dancing to the strum of the ukulele the plumeria leis enhanced the beauty of the dancer. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js668-bk8
Every Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00pm during my High School Summers I danced with my Hula Halau at the Ala Moana Center Stage. I needed to have all my costumes ironed and prepped and my leis sewn for each performance. But unlike my other Hula Sisters it was easy for me to find the plumeria blossoms. My paternal grandparents had their own plumeria garden right in their own back yard. So I spent my mornings picking and stringing the beautiful plumeria leis.
Click on the photo to find out more about Girls Day….
Originated in Japan March 3 Girls Day is celebrated with a display of finely crafted dolls as we pray for hope, happiness and abundance for our daughters, nieces and granddaughters. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js645-bk7
The coral reef was home to many species of fish especially the He’e and Uhu(Parrot Fish) Unfortunately it was also an easy food source for the hungry Hawaiians. This quilt was designed for those days of spear fishing among the many coral reefs of the Hawaiian Islands. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao Personal Design.
Read more about Hawaii’s Parrot Fish from the Maui Ocean Center
Because of Hawaii’s ideal climate the islands are now a major center for commercial orchids farms and also popular are orchid patterns for Hawaiian quilts. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js675-bk8
Symbolizing strength and light the Kukui Nut is an invaluable tree to the Hawaiian People. From the oil and nut which lite the Hawaiian homes to the roots and leaves which were used for medicinal purposes as well as dyes. The Kukui Nut tree also graces many tourist with it’s nutty leis. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js660-bk8
Photo From Native Plants of Hawaii DLNR …learn more about Hawaii’s Native Plants especially the Kukui Nut.
There were two types of Mamo patterns when my Tutu Correa quilted back in the 1920’s. Sometimes the Mamo represented the beautiful Yellow Lehua Blossoms and sometimes the Mamo bird known for it’s yellow feathers and used to make the feather capes for Hawaii’s Na Alii. This quilt is for the fragile Yellow Lehua Blossoms. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js642-bk7
Did you know that there is a tradition that you never pick a lehua flower because it will cause it to rain and that the bark and the young leaves were used for various medicinal preparation. Learn all about the Ohia Lehua by following this link http://www.instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hi?Plants.ohia or click on the photo.
When Poakalani was a little girl she asked her grandmother, ” Where do babies come from?” and her grandmother told her that they found her underneath the Rose Bush in the front yard. From that time Poakalani loved roses especially that Rose bush in her front yard. This quilt was designed for those days of innocence. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js669-bk8
Read about the Honolulu Rose Society and their Peace & Heroes Rose Garden and then visit their garden located in Pearl City, Oahu which is part of the Urban Garden Center.
The Pink Ginger like the Red Gingers are seen throughout the islands, changing Hawaii’s Landscape into tiny mini-gardens. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrrao/js655-bk7
...on the grounds of the Iolani Palace. Please mark your calendars and we'll see everyone back at class on July
28.