Maui Senior Student Sews Blankets for Newborns

Tynell (right) presenting baby blankets with new parents Jafra Depontes and Andrew Pualoa of Kula with their second daughter Anahakeaakamahina.

By Maui Now Staff

A senior student at Kamehameha Schools Maui presented 58 handmade baby blankets to the Obstetrics department at Maui Memorial Medical Center as part of her senior project.

Tynell Ornellas said that through her internship with a pediatrician, she found a deeper desire to learn about and care for children.

This led her to a senior project in which she spent the summer learning how to sew baby blankets for newborns.

Ornellas said the blankets will provide comfort and warmth to babies, who in turn will provide her with the inspiration to follow her dreams.

Ornellas hopes to one day have a career in pediatrics.

Ornellas is the daughter of MMMC Nurse Manager Candyce Ornellas.  She interned with Dr. Matthew Ho, a pediatrician at Maui Medical Group.  Ornellas is also a member of the Science and Natural Resources Academy and Health Occupations Students of America Club.

“We are so grateful to Tynell for making these wonderful blankets for our new moms….many of whom will really need them,” said OB Nurse Manager Jana Malia Joyo-Bui. “It would be great if her generosity might also be an inspiration to other teenagers to get involved in something that they are passionate about, while helping others in the process.”