Our Logo
Our Ka Pā Hula Nā Manu Hoʻoheno Aloha (Hula Manu) logo reflects our connection to nā manu (birds), our cherished lineage, and the relationships that bring us together through hula.
Three Manu | Past, Present, and Future
The three birds in motion represent the past, present, and future. They remind us to honor those who came before us, embrace our responsibilities in the present, and nurture future generations. Their interconnected forms reflect the relationships between kumu and haumāna and the aloha that binds us together.
The Circular Form | Life and Connection
The circular design subtly evokes a hua (egg), symbolizing life, potential, and nurturing. It also recalls the three piko, representing our connections to our ancestors, our present lives, and future generations.
The egg imagery connects to Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, whose name and traditions evoke the tenderness of being cherished and nurtured.
Flight and Movement | Our Journey Through Hula
The flowing, organic lines suggest birds in flight, reflecting the natural movement and grace of hula. Each manu follows its own path while remaining connected to the others, reminding us that every haumāna brings a unique story to our pā hula.
Together, these elements reflect our hope to honor the knowledge shared with us, nurture one another, and carry forward the aloha we have received.
Original Artwork
Brandon Busante and Miriya Gutierrez-Busante thoughtfully created this logo, bringing my vision to life through original artwork inspired by the stories, symbolism, and intentions I shared with them.
Our School Colors
Our school colors are inspired by nā manu (birds), the natural world, and the beauty of Hawaiʻi.
Deep Peacock Teal: Our primary color, inspired by the peacock’s beautiful feathers and our connection to nā manu.
Classic Mauve: A soft, gentle color reflecting grace and the sweetness of hula.
Natural Sand: Inspired by the ʻāina and natural fibers, reminding us to remain grounded and humble.
Golden Sunrise: Inspired by the rising sun and the golden feathers of birds, representing warmth, light, and new beginnings.
Together, these colors reflect the natural beauty, warmth, and grace we hope to share through Hula Manu.
The pīkake is our school flower.
Me as a young child at the airport in the Philippines, wearing a sampaguita lei and surrounded by my paternal and maternal grandparents and older sister.
Pīkake (Jasminum sambac), also known as Arabian jasmine or sampaguita, holds a special place in my heart. Its delicate white blossoms and lovely fragrance remind me of sweet memories, especially of my homeland, the Philippines, where sampaguita is the national flower.
I fondly remember wearing a sampaguita lei at the airport as I prepared to leave the Philippines for the United States. That memory, captured in a photograph, reminds me of home, family, and the love we carry with us wherever life takes us.
In Hawaiʻi, the flower is known as pīkake, the Hawaiian word for peacock. It is said to have been named in honor of Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani, who cherished both the fragrant jasmine and her beloved peacocks. This connection to nā manu (birds) makes it especially meaningful for Hula Manu. Lei pīkake is also my personal favorite!
Although not native to either Hawaiʻi or the Philippines, this flower has become deeply woven into the cultural expressions of both places. To me, it is a beautiful reminder that something can come from elsewhere yet become a cherished part of a place's story, carrying meaning, beauty, and memories across generations.
Above all, the sweetness of pīkake reflects a philosophy I hold dear: to keep our hula sweet and pretty, expressed with grace, humility, and aloha.
Just as the fragrance of pīkake lingers long after we encounter its blossoms, I hope the hula we share at Hula Manu leaves a lasting impression of beauty, warmth, and aloha.
Pīkake reminds us that beauty carries a story, and that aloha, like its sweet fragrance, can travel far.