MO‘O: Connections & Successions
(Kaona behind the MO‘O graphics)
There were two tiers, so to speak, of graphics developed for MO‘O – Connections & Successions.
The first tier of graphics consists of the structural and organizational graphics which, through mimicry of “family tree”/genealogy diagrams, provides clear connections between the theme and the five mo‘o-related kūkākūkā sessions. Some of the event signage utilizes the structures of the family tree to connect speakers who have kumu/haumana or makua/keiki relationships which advance the idea of the succession of knowledge and/or kuleana.
Additionally, the first “o” in MO‘O was made prominent by decreasing the opacity of the rest of the word. The reasons for doing this were two-fold. First, it was important that people not read the word as “moo” as the disconnect between that word and the content and purpose for this symposium would be problematic. Secondly, the “o” functions both as a focal point graphic for marking important information on structural diagrams for symposium layouts as well as a background motif utilized on various printed materials and digital communications.
The second tier of graphics represent the five mo‘o-related kūkākūkā sessions (mo‘opuna, mo‘oaupuni, ‘iwi kuamo‘o, mo‘olelo, mo‘okū‘auhau). Each session icon incorporates a rough-edged version of the “o” utilized in the organizational graphics to help tie the two tiers together. The following list explains the mana‘o behind the MOʻO icons.
- mo‘opuna: (grandchild) implies a relationship spanning three generations so the outermost figure represents the kupuna giving birth to the makua who in turn is giving birth to the mo‘opuna
- mo‘oaupuni: governance & leadership are represented by stylized mahiole and ‘ahu ‘ula, as chiefly symbols
- ‘iwi kuamo‘o: backbone & pathways are represented by a stylized spine and po‘o which also function as a pathway and destination point
- mo‘olelo: stories, history & tradition are represented by a stylized palaoa which is a carved whale tooth traditionally passed down through the hiapo (first born) from one generation to the next giving that individual the authority to speak for the family
- mo‘okū‘auhau: (genealogy & lineage) implies familial relationships which, in this graphic, are represented by the three piko which connect us to our past, present and future; mauli (fontanel) is the piko on the top of the head which connects us to our past/ancestors, piko (navel) connects us to the present/living, ma‘i (genitals) connects us to our future/descendents