The artwork of a University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu Academy for Creative Media (ACM) student will be shared globally, thanks to a unique opportunity and the desire to give back by a graduate of the UH West O‘ahu ACM program.
Student Harper Okamoto created a design that was selected by Honolulu Cookie Company for a special limited edition cookie tin that will be sold worldwide this fall. The project was made possible through a partnership between the company and pro surfer Carissa Moore’s foundation, Moore Aloha, which aims to help girls and women navigate the waves of mental health, wellness, and womanhood, and create a life of passion, purpose, and positivity.
“I’m honored to be able to represent UH West O‘ahu and the ACM program through this design, especially one that communicates such an uplifting message and cause,” said Okamoto, who is in her last semester at UH West O‘ahu and majoring in Creative Media with a concentration in Design and Media. “I hope that through this product, people will not only recognize my work as a UH West O‘ahu student, but the efforts and potential of the other talented creatives in the ACM program as well.”
UH West O‘ahu ACM alum ‘Ānela-Pōmaika‘i Mattson, a 2020 graduate who is now a marketing content specialist at Honolulu Cookie Company, played a very significant role in it all.
“As an alumni of UH West O‘ahu and the ACM program, it has always been a personal goal of mine to give back in some way,” Mattson said. “I’m grateful for my college experiences because it has led me to my current position with Honolulu Cookie Company.”
Mattson continued, “Now being a part of an amazing company that values not only giving back, but also the importance of art and education in our local community, I found myself in what seemed like a perfect position to pursue this personal goal of mine.”
So together with the help of her team at Honolulu Cookie Company, they were able to create a packaging design contest with Moore and Moore’s non-profit organization.
“The intention behind this contest was to provide an opportunity for current ACM students at UH West O‘ahu to challenge themselves creatively and gain experience on what it’s like to work with a local business,” Mattson said.
Okamoto, 22, of Pearl City, is grateful for how winning the contest will benefit her.
“This opportunity has already taught me a lot about product design, which is an area of design in which I have little to no experience, so I’m looking forward to working with Honolulu Cookie Company’s team and learning more about the entire process,” she said.
Okamoto said she is also grateful to Mattson for all her hard work that went into organizing the opportunity.
“It’s inspiring to see an ACM alumni like ‘Ānela doing such amazing things outside the program,” Okamoto said. “She serves as a great example of what kind of creative people the program produces.”
Okamoto added that Mattson coordinating the contest as a way to give back to the ACM program is a testament to the amazing quality of instruction and support UH West O‘ahu provides its students.
“I am constantly inspired by our alumni like ‘Ānela who epitomizes the values we strive to instill in them,” said Sharla Hanaoka, director of the Academy for Creative Media at UH West O‘ahu. “Her willingness to give back to the next generation of creatives shows the deep pride and appreciation she carries as a graduate of our program.”
Hanaoka said Mattson’s instrumental role in making the packaging design contest a reality opened up an invaluable opportunity that will profoundly impact the program’s students.
“Her contribution will not only enrich them, but elevate the reputation and reach of our entire program, too,” Hanaoka said. “We are so grateful to ‘Ānela for recognizing the power of lifting up others. Her spirit of service demonstrates that one person with a heart for giving can truly make a world of difference.”
Mattson was also recently featured in UH West O‘ahu ACM’s latest “Talking Story with Alumni” on Instagram live, where Mattson shared how her educational pathway influenced her as a creative professional.
“I want to personally congratulate all students who participated (in the packaging design contest) and encourage them to keep up the good work,” Mattson added. “This has been a full-circle experience for me, and I hope to provide more opportunities for students in the future. And a special mahalo to everyone involved who worked with me to make this possible!”