Maces in the Western academic tradition denote authority, and are carried by the academic officer in charge in academic processions. At the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, faculty marshals have for years ushered graduates of Manoa into their commencement exercises holding wooden batons in lieu of maces.

At the spring commencement of 2003, a symbol of authority unique to Hawai'i was unveiled, thus launching an original tradition for graduation ceremonies at the Manoa campus.

In a manner common to Hawaiian and Pacific island cosmology, two complimentary ko'o (meaning, support, brace, or wand), supporting symbolic male and female mana replace the old university maces. The male ko'o represents water, knowledge, and humility, while the female ko'o represents fire, empowerment and wisdom. The ko'o are carried in by selected male and female graduating students to signal the beginning of the ceremony.

Students of Art 389: Hawaiian Art Studio under the direction of Ms. Maile Andrade
Conceptual Team: Eric Awa, Marino Carreira, Maka'ahoa Duarte, Shannon Hiramoto, Erin Irvine, Analu Kame'eiamoku Josephides, Abigail Romanchak
Design Team: Ku'uipo Cummings, Cody Kawamoto, Tony Lum, Raymond Yuen
Construction Team: Brendan T. Jackson (glass), Richard Kupihea Romero (overall design, wood), Candace Otsuka (overall design, wood and metal)

We thank the Mace Committee for its recommendations and selection of the mace designs.

University of Hawai'i at Manoa Mace Committee Members:
Austin Dias, William D. Foltz, Kristopher Tadashi Kaupalolo, C. Mamo Kim, Naomi Losch, Wendy L. Pearson, Kenneth A. Tokuno

With special thanks to Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Karl Kim, and Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Deane Neubauer for their support.

Created for the faculty marshals to usher in the graduating students, student artist Richard Kupihea Romero has created two kala'au, using the hala tree as his inspiration. In the Hawaiian culture, hala is a symbol of passing and passage.

Whether from womb to birth, from life to death, or from apprenticeship to mastership, the hala has been used by native Hawaiians for generations to mark rites of passage. In his rendering, Kupihea has produced one male and one female kala'au. The feminine aspect of the hala is indicated by the female, pineapple shaped hua atop a cluster of hala leaves. The Hinano flower depicts the male aspect of the hala and it also sits atop a cluster of hala leaves. The handles of the kala'au are carved in a moena pattern (weaved hala leaves) for the female, and ulehale (stripped and pounded hala root used for cordage) for the male.

Both the material (koa) and carving of the kala'au reflect the connection to the ceremonial ko'o.

Every semester, the deans of every school and college select two student marshals to represent and lead their graduating class in the commencement ceremonies. In making their selections, the deans consider characteristics such as leadership, scholarship, and service. It is an honor to be selected to marshal your fellow graduates in the commencement ceremonies.

To distinguish the student marshals from the remaining graduating class, each marshal wears a stole over his or her regalia. Undergraduate student marshals wear silver stoles, and advanced degree student marshals wear green stoles.

Student marshals are recognized in the commencement exercise, and have their names printed in the program. In addition, student marshals participate in a special rehearsal prior to the ceremonies to learn more about their roles in the ceremonies. As leaders of their graduating class, student marshals also serve as point-persons for those needing assistance as we assemble for the procession.