VNR: Mānoa signage featuring Hawaiian place names, cultural knowledge wins international award

Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building.

Link to video and sound (details below): https://go.hawaii.edu/XRU

WHAT: New bilingual signage based on kānaka ʻōiwi (Native Hawaiian) knowledge and values at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa received the 2023 World Changing Ideas Award in the Art and Design category.

- Fast Company’s World-Changing Ideas Awards honor the innovative ways businesses and organizations are making the world more accessible, equitable, and sustainable for everyone.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 2, 2023

WHO: The project is spearheaded by the UH Community Design Center (UHCDC) at the UH Mānoa School of Architecture, led by principal investigator Brian Strawn and co-investigator Karla Sierralta, along with a team of staff, student research assistants and graduate students. The UH-based team co-designed the new wayfinding system together with Nalani Kanaka‘ole, Sig Zane, and Kūhaʻo Zane of Sig Zane Designs.

WHERE: UH Mānoa campus around Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building and Bilger Hall

WHY: There are currently two signs in place in front of the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building and Bilger Hall. Ultimately, signs featuring the new design will be placed in front of a total of 21 of the campus’ main buildings in a multi-phase project expected to be completed by 2030. The signs invite viewers to take part in a kānaka ʻōiwi body alignment practice like those that traditionally occur at some heiau (temples). Each sign will gesture toward different landmarks in and around Mānoa, such as the Waʻahila Ridge or Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) on the coast. The project aligns with UH Mānoa’s commitment to being a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning that includes evoking the importance of place among haumāna (students), staff, faculty and the community.

OTHER FACTS:

• Kānaka ʻōiwi divided the islands into ahupuaʻa (land division usually extending from the mountains to the sea) that were made up of subdivisions called ʻili ʻāina, each with its own name and purpose.
• According to an 1882 historical map of Mānoa, multiple ʻili ʻāina intersect on the Mānoa campus.The new signs will feature the building’s name and the name of the ʻili ʻāina the building is located in. There will also be markers installed in different locations on campus that will indicate where ʻili intersect.
• There will be a medallion at each sign with a QR code that will link to an interactive website with information about the specific location.
• The project is a joint venture of the Office of the Vice President of Administration (OVPA), Brian Strawn, Karla Sierralta (UHCDC), Sig Zane, Nālani Kanakaʻole, Kūhaʻo Zane (Sig Zane Designs), Daniel Friedman (Design Advisor), Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe (UH Mānoa Native Hawaiian Affairs Program Officer), Two Twelve (Wayfinding Consultants), Global Specialty (Contractors), and CREO Industrial Arts (Fabricators).

VIDEO BROLL: trt 1:15

Exterior scenes of Life Sciences and Bilger Hall, and inside the design studio

SOUNDBITES:

Brian Strawn, UHCDC Principal Investigator (:15)

“Receiving this award is a huge honor, primarily because it is highlighting the Indigenous knowledge systems that exist in Mānoa valley. Highlighting the ecological and cultural significance of this place is of great importance to the university.”

Kūhaʻo Zane, designer, Sig Zane Designs (:12)

“With this signage you’ll be able to not only find your way around campus but also be educated about what are the important Indigenous places within this area, or within this ahupuaʻa of Mānoa.”