Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Other Views
We'd like to clear up some of the misinformation that has been circulating about the new "H" logo design for the University of Hawaii-Manoa Athletics Department. Careful thought went
into creating the ‘H’Discussions about a new logo or identifying mark for UH-Manoa athletic teams have been going on for some time. As long as three years ago, there was talk about the lack of consistency in the use of colors and the prominence of the rainbow in uniforms. The arrival of head football coach June Jones last year -- and the attendant excitement and anticipation of future successes for football and other sports -- provided an opportunity to turn our attention more fully to creating a new unifying image for Manoa athletics.
However, designing a new identity system takes time, more time than was available to the football program for last season.
In a nod to tradition, and in recognition of the fact that former football coach Larry Price began calling his team the Rainbow Warriors 25 years ago, Coach Jones suggested a new design for football helmets and the Aloha Stadium field. Thus was born the "25 Years as Rainbow Warriors" tag line for the 1999 football season.
The football warrior in a rainbow arc image that guided the Manoa football team from worst to first last year was always planned to be a one-year design, and discussions about a new, unifying image continued during last year's record season.
When marketing and promotion opportunities with nationally prominent Leigh Steinberg came together in the fall of 1999, a key element of that firm's recommendations was the adoption of a new logo.
Simultaneous to the dialog on the need for a new logo for Manoa athletics, feature stories in the local media in 1998 called attention to the successful career of Kauai-born, UH alumnus Kurt Osaki, a graphic artist now based in the San Francisco Bay area.
A designer with a national reputation, Osaki's work included cutting-edge, contemporary sports logo designs for several National Football League, National Hockey League and other professional sports teams.
UH contacted Osaki, and he said that he'd always wanted to do some work with the UH athletics program. Initial contacts led to further discussions, and as momentum grew for a new design, the deal was struck with Osaki to proceed.
Osaki began a lengthy research and consultative process that included individual meetings with all coaches, and with historical and cultural resources such as the Bishop Museum and many others. Several designs were presented to a review committee. They were revised, redesigned and re-reviewed over a period of several months, until the new "H" logo was chosen as the centerpiece and focal point for the new identity system.
By virtue of the lengthy process in researching, designing and selecting the now famous "H," many have long known that the new design was being created.
But from reactions in the media and in responses we've received during the last several days, it's pretty obvious that not everyone has picked up on what's gone into the process and what changes are actually being implemented.
The new "H" logo focuses very much on the theme Pupukahi I Holomua -- to unite and move forward.
And in the spirit of unity, it is important to note that in Manoa athletics publications the "H" and "the Rainbows" (as identifying language) appear together. Yes, Rainbows.
The bottom line: The Rainbow identity remains, maybe not as the visual focal point of the new logo with the arc of colors flowing out of the letters U and H, but certainly in the name of the Manoa athletic program.
The Rainbow is part of Manoa athletics -- in our team names, in cheers, in the rainbow Classic Basketball Tournament, the Rainbow Easter Baseball Tournament, the Rainbow Marching Band, the Rainbow Dancers, the RainBowTique retail outlets, the Rainbow Advantage Program for academic and campus living support, and in may other references that will continue to be associated with UH-Manoa.
So Manoa athletics moves forward, with the "H" image and rainbow name.
These kinds of changes come along periodically when, for example, it's time for a little more contemporary look, or as in our case, when our uniforms and visual images have been inconsistent and needed a unifying element.
Reports of the death of the rainbow are, to paraphrase Mark Twain, "greatly exaggerated." Continue to cheer "RAIN-BOWS" at sporting events, continue to wave those rainbow towels at frustrated opponents, and continue to support UH athletics. There's a lot to feel good about, including our new look.
Dean O. Smith is senior vice president of the University of Hawaii and executive vice chancellor of UH-Manoa.
University of Hawaii
