After a computer crash and website crash I’m finally back on-line.

There were tears at first but We did it! Thank you to the Poakalani Ohana who came on Friday to blow up beds, set up lattices and hang quilts. It was a beautiful show and one of our best. Then everyone came back on Saturday and Sunday to quilt and enjoy the festival. John would be so proud and yes he was there in every quilt that was hung. His designs were amazing. We miss him but the tradition continues in all of us. The Poakalani Ohana is number 1 in my book, simply the best. I didn’t post all the pictures so please forgive me if one of yours is missing.

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…while our quilting room in the Kana’ina Building on the grounds of the Iolani Palace is being renovated. They say it’ll be only for two months and we should be back in April. So please join us at our new temporary location at the Ohana Market Place who is graciously making room for us starting January 26. Classes are 9:30am- 11:30pm. The Market Place opens at 10:00 but they’re letting us in early so we can start our class at 9:30am.

…on a quilt.   Don’t let the large patterns scare you off you also have a choice of making smaller squares which eventually can be joined to make a larger quilt.  This quilt designed by John tells of the many medicinal plants used by the Hawaiians for their ailments.  They too had their doctors of medicine.  16 squares, 16 stories on 1 quilt. How amazing is that.  Appliqued by retired nurse Doris Shibuya. I can’t wait to see the finished quilt. 

Saturday was an amazing day.  We finally laid to rest my dad, kumu John at the family plots in Oahu Cemetery.  He is now with mom. Thank you to my amazing family the Serrao’s, Kaleohano’s, Changs, Correa’s especially Aunty Jojo and Uncle David who was there for us. They held our hands while we planned his service.  Thank you especially to our dad’s and mom’s family who came in from Hilo, and Molokai. We love all of you. 

A special Thank you to my Quilting Family, what would we do without you. You supported us not just during this difficult time but while John struggled through his last days.  Thank you for all the refreshments you provided, also coming early to help set up the quilts and take down the quilts and transferring his flowers to the family plots.  Special thanks also to those who came in  from Canada, California and especially all of John’s Quilting Family from Japan.  We are humbled that you made the effort to come to Hawaii and hold our hand during this difficult time.   My heart is full.

Mahalo to our cousins, aunties, uncles, hula sisters, friends, co-workers,  former co-workers, all of John’s friends and everyone who came to support us. We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives. Also thank you to all who sent e-mails, snail mails, text messages, phone calls and especially those who sent flowers, lei’s and cards at the service. There are no words to express our gratitude and thanks. We are indeed Blessed.  Also a special Thank you to the Honolulu Police Department  who played their role in honoring dad. Tomorrow we move-on and on Saturday we will be continuing the quilting tradition through all our classes. Let us now celebrate life. 

Let’s celebrate the Life of John F. Serrao Sr.  Saturday November 3. Oahu Cemetery Chapel 9:00am Services 10:30 Burial To Follow

Let’s also celebrate the continuation of his quilting class.