New Logo (2025)

Talofa lava! My name is Anncelitta Akenese Meli, but I go by Litta! I was born and raised on the island of Tutuila (more specifically in the villages of Afao and Malaeloa), but moved to Oʻahu in 2021! After doing a couple of odd jobs, I transferred over to University of Hawaiʻi- West Oʻahu in order to complete the last two years for my bachelors in Creative Media. I plan on graduating in Spring 2026. So, I still have a couple of semesters to go before getting that degree! One day, I get to return back to my home and give back tenfold to the community that helped raise me to become who I am today with my passion in graphic designing and visual storytelling!

1. Fishes as the Central Motif:

● Symbolism of Fishes: As an island state encircled by the Pacific Ocean, Hawaiʻi has profound cultural and ecological ties to the ocean. The inclusion of fish in the logo creates a potent visual link to the vibrant marine life and water ecosystem of the island. I was particularly intrigued by the Blue-Green Chromis fish! Indigenous to the Indo-Pacific area, including Hawaiʻi, they are recognized for their resilience and social nature, thriving in groups, which I believed would align with the essence of HCTM! The fish can symbolize growth, progress, and the concept of community.

● For HCTM, The fish can represent the flow of knowledge and the dynamic nature of learning, while the teal color palette reflects Hawaiʻi’s marine environment. The overall design may integrate the fish image with mathematical symbols and geometric patterns to emphasize the organization's commitment to education and mathematics.

● “School of Fishes”: Referring to a collective of fish swimming in a synchronized manner, I believe that this metaphor is suitable for an educational institution such as HCTM, symbolizing collaboration, shared learning, and unity in mathematics instruction. Much like fish in a school, teachers and students within the organization collaborate to explore the extensive realm of mathematical knowledge!

2. Faces of Fish as Math Symbols:

● Math Symbols as Faces: The faces of the fish in the logo are cleverly designed using recognizable math symbols like plus signs (+), division signs (÷), minus (-), and others. This immediately ties the design to its educational mission, clearly communicating that this is a group focused on mathematics.

● Human Element: The faces on the fish can also symbolize the teachers and students themselves. Just as a fish’s face is integral to its identity, mathematics is integral to the identity of the organization. The math symbols on their faces highlight human involvement in the learning process, with math being an important tool to navigate the world around us. The fish aren't just symbols—they are active participants in a collective, learning journey!

3. Connection to the Organization’s Purpose (HCTM):

● The Hawaiʻi Council of Teachers of Mathematics (HCTM) is focused on supporting math education and fostering a community of math educators across Hawaiʻi. The use of the school of fishes metaphor is particularly apt, as it emphasizes the idea of a supportive, interconnected network of educators. Teachers, like the fish in the logo, are part of a larger system, helping  students thrive in math through shared knowledge and collective effort!

On behalf of the Executive Board of Hawaiʻi Council of Teachers of Mathematics, we would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for Anncelitta Akenese Meli's hard work and dedication in creating our fantastic new logo with great meaning behind it.