Moʻolelo of Logo

Before college, I pursued graphic design as a future profession and was initially accepted into UH Mānoa as a Graphic Design student. Following a summer internship with Kupu, I changed my major to Marine Biology but continued to freelance. I felt it was only fitting that I design my logo for this project as well.

​

I wanted a sleek, elegant, modern look in designing this logo. So, I chose to make a wordmark logo. Pilina, the ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi word for "association" or "connection," is derived from the word "pili," meaning "to cling" or "to stick." Pili is also a grass, specifically Heteropogon contortus, which, when exposed to moisture, will contort its seed heads and burrow into the soil. Pili was also often used to thatch hale as the grass would stick tightly together. This plant's unique characteristics and cultural significance inspired the design, in which the pili grass is contorting and wrapping itself around the letters.