UH West O‘ahu Bookstore releases student-designed T-shirt

The University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu Bookstore unveiled a new student-designed T-shirt this week. The bookstore’s new “West is Best” T-shirts were designed by Ken Tom, a humanities student at the university, whose design won an online poll in November 2014.

Following in the tradition of UH Bookstores’ annual “HI Pride” T-Shirt Contest, the “West is Best” Contest was open to UH student designers only. Tom first heard about the contest from his creative media instructor Sharla Hanaoka.

“Because of our campus’ creative media program, I thought it would be wonderful to have a contest that could give students design experience and also create buzz,” said UHWO Bookstore manager Kory Uramoto-Wong, who worked with Hanaoka to get student entries.

“UHWO students are vibrant, prideful, and are meeting their academic goals,” said Uramoto-Wong. “That is why we chose the theme ‘West is Best’!”

Tom, a Leilehua High School graduate from Wahiawa, researched typography and recruited feedback from family and friends before submitting his design to the bookstore’s contest. In addition to seeing his design worn by fellow students on-campus, he received the first “West is Best” T-shirt printed and a $100 UH Bookstore gift card as a grand prize.

The “West is Best” T-shirts are available exclusively at the West O‘ahu Bookstore, located on the second floor of UHWO Campus Center, and online at www.bookstore.hawaii.edu/westoahu. UH students receive a discount on their first “West is Best” shirt purchased with valid student ID.

All proceeds from UH Bookstores purchases support the University of Hawai‘i in its educational mission. For more details, visit www.bookstore.hawaii.edu.

About University of Hawai'i Bookstores

The University of Hawai‘i Bookstores’ mission is to promote a productive learning environment for the UH community by offering a diverse array of quality products and services at competitive prices. The main branch of the UH Bookstores System is located on the University of Hawai‘i’s Mānoa campus, in the heart of Campus Center. In addition, there are stores on eight branch campuses: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, University of Hawai‘i Maui College, University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu, Leeward Community College, Kapi‘iolani Community College, Honolulu Community College, Kaua‘i Community College, and Windward Community College. Visit www.bookstore.hawaii.edu for more information.

For more information, visit: http://www.bookstore.hawaii.edu/westoahu