KANE'OHE — When Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana coast leaving a wake of destruction in its path, the Hitzeman extended family broke out the check books to help the victims.

They still felt it wasn't enough, so the Hitzemans then figured out how to double their monetary contribution through a matching-fund set up by an employer.

Still unsatisfied with their own effort, the Hitzemans decided to find something more personal and with aloha they could offer.

"We were reading about companies that were loading up their tractor trailers and going down there to clean roads and about others who were driving down there picking up people and taking them home," said Jalene Hitzeman. "We just felt so disconnected and unable to put our hands to anything."

They couldn't, that is, until the idea to sew Hawaiian-print keiki blankets came up during a family party in Makaha over Labor day weekend.

That weekend the discussion kept turning to the hurricane and how the everyone could relate to the victims because the they had faced similar problems when Hurricane Iniki struck the islands in 1992, Hitzeman said.

The idea was to make something that couldn't be purchased in Louisiana or Mississippi, that was colorful and comforting, Hitzeman said. That's when project Ho'olu'olu (to comfort or console) was created and a Web site developed.

In less than three week, hundreds of blankets were sewn by relatives, friends and strangers who were more than willing to share their aloha, she said.

"There were wonderful people who were just waiting for something to do," Hitzeman said. "I can't tell you how many times people have told me that they were looking and yearning for something to do (for the victims) and this is it."

People committed to sewing a total of more than 300 blankets, including members of the Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club, women from Pohai Nani Good Samaritan Retirement Community in Kane'ohe, strangers who hooked up with the project through a Navy connection, friends, co-workers and relatives, she said.

Businesses and individuals donated material. Fabric Mart in Kane'ohe, for example, donated 200 yards of flannel when the owner learned that Hitzeman was in the shop to purchase flannel for the blankets. Other material donators were Wal-Mart Kunia, Bete Inc., TrendTex, Lowell T and Sandi C., Hitzeman said.

Children as young as 7 and aunties as old as 78 cut, pinned and stitched the colorful prints that were lined with the flannel, she said, adding that sometimes the cuts weren't straight and the stitching might be a little off but the blankets all come from the heart. They threw sewing parties and hosted sewing sleep overs. Some added personal touches, like lace borders, tags and a note.

One tag said Mai Ka Pu'uwai (from the heart) Made in Makaha and another said Made with Hugs and Kisses. A note said, "May this handmade keiki blanket comfort and console whomever it covers. It is sent with prayers, love and a wish for peace." The covers are generally about 45 inches by 50 inches but sizes vary according to the fabric and person sewing it, Hitzeman said.

Kani'o Spencer, 30, said the blankets are not like the ones issued to the evacuees. They're soft and pretty and carry the message of the Islands with the colorful Hawaiian-print fabric.

"Coming all the way from Hawai'i (they say) we're out here on this small island and we care," Spencer said, adding that she and her mother, Linda Spencer, made blankets and pillows. "I think it's more special knowing that somebody went out of their way to make something for them rather than this is from the Red Cross."

Hitzeman's aunt Ramona Cordeiro said she had a production line at her home when six women and three children spent weekends making the blankets. Cordeiro sewed round the clock for three weeks and estimated that her group made about 100 blankets. Cordeiro said the project has made her very proud of her family, known to always help one another in times of need but this was the first time they organized a group project.

"It's just in us to help the unfortunate," she explained. "And let's face it, I'm sure if we were in their boots someone would come to our aid. So we did this with love."

The Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club president Gege Kawelo estimated that the project will produce over 500 blankets especially with members asking for extension to complete their share.

With the club's goal to promote and educate people about the Hawaiian culture, the civic club saw this project as an opportunity to meet that goal and reach out across the the country to help others, Kawelo said, adding that Hitzeman's children belong to the club and members have close ties to the Hitzeman family.

"We're just a small part of a huge picture, doing our share on the Wai'anae Coast, giving back like everybody else," she said. "We have so many blessings so we have to share and malama each other."

Hula Halau 'Ohana Elikapeka in San Antonio has agreed to distribute the blankets to Katrina victims and perform for them.

Ho'olu'olu is wrapping up its project and expects to collect blankets until Oct. 10. People interested in contributing can make them and drop them off at any Ben Franklin Crafts store. The project has run out of material so people will have supply their own.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.