It replaces our current logo that debuted in 1994
Posted: September 18, 2024
The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association unveiled a vibrant new logo this week, replacing the current 30-year-old design.
HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. said, “We wanted our new logo to symbolize our journey as we guide public education and the future of our keiki, with the double-hulled waʻa, or canoe, representing our union.”
Among the new design elements:
- The large and small sails of the canoe pay tribute to our former logo, representing our educators and the keiki we teach.
- The canoe sails on the ocean with waves that are the pages of a book, representing the knowledge and expertise our teachers pass on to the next generation.
- The ʻiwa bird in the sky represents the guidance our educators share and provide to our students and the community.
“As we make this transition, this new logo is more than just a design. It’s a symbol of our collective strength, the bond we share, and the huakaʻi, or journey, that we’re all on together,” Tui said.
In the coming months, every member will receive an HSTA T-shirt featuring our new logo, with women’s and men’s cuts available. The HSTA will provide more information on how members can get their new shirts in the weeks ahead. If you’re not a member, sign up at hsta.org/join.
In addition to changing our shirts, the HSTA has begun the process of swapping out our old logo for the new one on everything from our stationery and our website to our social media channels, mobile app and other platforms.
Logo redesign began last fall
Late last fall, the HSTA started the logo creation process by asking our members what they wanted in a new logo. Hundreds of our members sent us thoughtful responses.
They told us they wanted the redesign to symbolize Hawaiʻi’s educators while celebrating the cultural and educational heritage of these Islands.
Other key themes members wanted to get across with our new logo included: knowledge, inspiration, guidance, support, community, hope for the future, growth, collaboration, strength, caring, diversity, and a teacher-student bond.
The HSTA took these requests and presented them to graphic designer Peter Savasta, who has designed logos for many companies, nonprofits and other organizations here in the islands.
Savasta created a wide variety of designs to start, and over several months, the HSTA officers and staff narrowed and refined a concept that reflected members’ priorities of education, a Hawaiian sense of place, and a clear direction forward.
Remembering our past and present logos
HSTA’s very first logo, with the stylized HSTA acronym, reflected the 1970s style from which it was born. But there was no sense of place nor any representation of the work that HSTA was involved in.
Our more recent logo addressed some of those issues and has served us well for more than 30 years.
The iconic triangular logo debuted in January of 1994 with the stylized people meant to represent teachers, students and parents.
“While we love our current logo, the time has come for it to be updated for the digital age, where simple designs are more functional in apps and social media, and will help us to stand out,” Tui said.
“Our new design lets us continue to sail forward, carrying on the legacy of our kupuna as we proudly show the world that we are more than just teachers. We are navigators across a sea of knowledge. We are advocates for a better tomorrow. And together, we are building the schools, the community, and the future that our keiki deserve,” said Tui.
The HSTA last updated its logo in 1994. Then-HSTA President Sharon Mahoe addressed the 1994 state convention in front of a banner featuring the new triangular logo.
HSTA members wore their logo t-shirts at the State Capitol during the 2001 strike.
In the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, the HSTA used this circular design logo, on display at Institute Day at the Blaisdell Center in 1984.
