Hilo Union Participates in Complex Branding Project

Hilo Union Elementary kindergarten students set to graduate from high school in 2028 were presented with class t-shirts on Monday.

The students received the shirts as part of a volunteer pilot program for the Hilo-Waiakea Complex to improve the branding of Hilo High School. Hawai’i State Department of Education Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi presented the t-shirts to the students and was accompanied by Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area Superintendent Brad Bennett, Hilo Union Elementary Principal Erin Williams, Kurt Osaki with K20+ and the Osaki Creative Group, Wayne Kamitaki with K20+ and House Mart Ben Franklin/Ace Hardware Hawai’i, Hilo High School Foundation and Big Island Candies’ Allan Ikawa, and Newton Chu with the Hilo High School Foundation.

T-shirts were donated by K20+, a local company that began by the principals of Osaki Creative Group and HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts and Ace Hardware Hawai’i. Kindergarteners are being giving the shirts in hopes of inspiring the class to pursue the long-term educational journey thought process that would last until high school graduation.

K20+ joined in on the project with roots in the belief that school branding is important and can positively impact student, faculty, and community pride and engagement. As part of its commitment to building school pride for the State of Hawai’i’s public school system, K20+ is donating time to oversee the program.

“The ultimate goal of this project is to build school pride for the students, alumni, and communities of Hawai’i’s public school system. We believe that school branding will be the catalyst in building school pride, and with pride, the potential of our students is endless,” said Kurt Osaki.

Features of the program include:

• Working with the Hilo High School Foundation on giving a portion of the proceeds raised by the program back to the school.
• Creating an educational program allowing students to start and run an on-campus merchandise store and e-commerce site.
• Partnering with local businesses to extend the Hilo High School brand and grow their donor base. All participating businesses will be expected to give a portion of their sales back to the school.