UH West Oʻahu student wins bookstore system’s T-shirt design contest

By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

UH West Oʻahu student Emily Maluyo is the winner of this year's UH Bookstore System HI Pride T-shirt Contest. Maluyo holds a picture of her winning design. Image courtesy of Emily Maluyo

When University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu student Emily Jenie Maluyo learned of a UH Bookstore System T-shirt design contest last year, she worked on an original design to submit. But unfortunately, she never had the opportunity to finish it.

“Now, going into my last year of college, I decided to go back to finalize the design and submit it before I graduate,” Maluyo said.

And it’s a good thing she did.

Maluyo bested nearly 50 entries from UH students systemwide and received more than 2,400 votes from UH students, faculty, and staff to win this year’s UH Bookstore System HI Pride T-shirt Contest.

“When I found out, I was with my family so it was an enjoyable experience for everyone as they helped to garner the votes with their own connections,” said Maluyo, a Waipahu resident. “There was a lot of excitement!”

The contest, in its 11th year, was open to students from all 10 UH campuses and encouraged them to show off their creative skills to convey what “HI Pride” means to them.

Maluyo, who is pursuing dual degrees in Applied Science with a concentration in Health Information Management and Public Administration with a concentration in Health Care Administration, said she was motivated to enter the contest for several reasons.

“I don’t often get to express my creativity throughout my daily life,” Maluyo said. “It was also an opportunity for me to be involved in the UH community and convey what ‘HI Pride’ truly meant to me.”

The inspiration for Maluyo’s design was based on what she said represents the UH community: love, friendship, and pride.

“I wanted to include the shaka to encompass the Aloha and the local culture — it is recognizable to anyone in Hawaiʻi,” Maluyo said. “Along with the iconic gesture, the beauty of the kupaloke (tuberose) flower lei surrounds the shaka to convey the beauty and diversity found in the melting pot of Hawaiʻi.”

Maluyo and the contest’s runner-up each won a prize pack worth more than $200 including Apple Beats Solo headphones, a $25 bookstore gift card, and a T-shirt featuring Maluyo’s winning HI Pride design. The 2022–2023 HI Pride T-shirts will be available for sale in the fall semester at all UH bookstores.

Emily Maluyo’s winning design for this year’s UH Bookstore System HI Pride T-shirt Contest.

Source: https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/kaloinews/?p=17272