A new, bi-lingual signage and wayfinding system celebrates the unique, environmental, social, cultural, academic, and historic contexts of Mānoa. 

The foundations of the project are built on direct observations and conversations with prospective students and their families on campus tours and other user research. These fresh perspectives were complemented by the deep knowledge of Mānoa and the university through expert interviews with UHM educators, researchers, and leaders.

The interactive system displays letterforms against a background of unique artwork by the renowned, Hilo-based design studio of Sig Zane Kaiao. Nalani Kanaka‘ole, Sig Zane, and Kūha'o Zane conducted cultural research and design explorations that expanded the system to invite viewers to learn more about Polynesian navigation techniques and Kanaka 'Ōiwi alignment practices.

Client: University of Hawaiʻi Office of the Vice President for Administration
Principal Investigator: Brian Strawn AIA
Co-Principal Investigator: Karla Sierralta AIA
Design Partners: Kūha'o Zane, Nalani Kanaka'ole and Sig Zane of Sig Zane Designs & SZ Kaiao
Project Staff: John Colburn IX, Glenn Grande, Jason Hashimoto, Charles Palanza, Coby Shimabukuro Sanchez, Christopher Songvilay, Sho Tetsutani, Noelle Yempuku, Griffin Ward, Hunter Wells
Project Team: Jack Ames, Keola Annino, Christina Holcom, Kai Hoshijo, Keliʻi Kapali, Melise Nekoba, Vivianne Nguyen, Valerie Ribao, Mackenzie Suess, Bryson Tabaniag, Thomason Takata, Kayla Watabu, Tre Zamora
Advising Team: University of Hawaiʻi Office of the Vice President for Administration; University of Hawaiʻi Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office, Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe; Daniel S. Friedman PhD, FAIA, NCARB; University of Hawaiʻi Office of Project Delivery
Design Consultants & Construction Team: Global Specialty Contractors, Two Twelve, and CRĒO Industrial Arts
Course integration: ARCH 750 G, Summer 2018