A Mōlī poster and logo support the conservation of the Laysan Albatross - and Hawaii’s indigenous language

Rae Okawa of Native Hawaii Designs.has designed what is described as a “tribal mōlī poster” to support the conservation of Kauai’s Mōlī or Laysan Albatrosses Phoebastria immutabilis, as well as the use the of Hawaii’s indigenous language.  Each symbol depicted on the poster is given its meaning in the Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures.  In addition, Rae Okawa has produced a logo to a similar design which aims to raise funds for the Kaua’i Albatross Network from the sale of clothing and tote bags.

The network’s Mission states that “The Kaua‘i Albatross Network is dedicated to helping preserve the vitality of the Laysan Albatross and promoting safe habitat on which this magnificent bird depends.”

Design by Rae Okawa

It is intended to write an article for the ACAP Monthly Missive series on the usage of native languages and names in the conservation of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels and their breeding sites.  The indigenous languages of Hawaii (Ōlelo Hawai’i, an official state language since 1978) and New Zealand (te reo Māori a national official language since 1987) are prominent in this regard, but there are other examples of the use of local names in Chile’s Juan Fernández Islands, Spain’s Balearic Islands and the United Kingdom’s Tristan da Cunha Islands.

With thanks to Hob Osterlund, Kaua‘i Albatross Network and Fellow, Safina Center.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 04 September 2024