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History of the Kamehameha Schools seal (logo)
History of the Kamehameha Schools Seal
August 14, 2003
Padeken Bento. Class of 1928, advises that in 1926 there was a contest among students to design a school ring. Henry Ka‘ahea was the winner. In the 1926 school yearbook, it reads next to senior Henry Ka‘ahea's name, "He didn't take a penny for designing our class ring." Bento reported that his 1928 class ring also used the design, but unlike contemporary rings, the design was flat, not raised.
The design is used on the front cover of the 1932 yearbook, however, the school newspaper through 1935 does not mention either the ring design or a school seal.
From information provided by Mandy Bowers, 1991
Imua and Honolulu, Hawaii:
First use of this seal not found.
Honolulu, Hawai‘i and Imua:
Widely used in KS publications; first found in the Kamehameha School for Boys BLUE BOOK, 1948–49. Also used in Ke Ali‘i Pauahi publications and Ka Mo‘i. Last use seems to have been in 1961 in Ka Na‘i Aupuni yearbook.
“Imua” and removal of “The”:
This seal first appears on the 1940 commencement program cover. It also appears in Ka Mo‘i briefly.
Imua, removal of “The” and 1887 added:
This seal was created by KS graphic artists Lynn Fujita (lettering) and Robin Racoma (illustration) in 1986 in preparation for the Schools’ centennial celebration.
It first appeared in the 1987 centennial celebration logo which appears on all centennial publications.
Alumni seal
The word “Alumni” is substituted for “Imua.” Alteration and first use not known.
