Missionaries taught quilting to the women of Hawaii who transformed it into a uniquely Hawaiian art form. The mild weather allowed far more time for details appliqué and quilting. Since one was not dependent on the quilt for warmth quilting was seen more as a leisurely activity that can be a good thing because it takes many months of hand stitching to complete.

Quilt motifs are drawn from forms of favorite plants. Hawaiian quilts typically have a central appliquéd motif and the stitch pattern often echo that design. The pattern of quilting is often likened to the imprint left by a patterned beater on Hawaiian kapa.