State Retention

Drawing from design concepts originally drafted years earlier, the emblem was built by fusing modern military functionality with deep-rooted Hawaiian warrior traditions.

• Subdued Hawaiian Flag: Serving as the foundation, the Hawaiian flag is rendered in tactical grayscale. This muted palette ensures that retention items—such as duty uniform undershirts, gear patches, and tactical outerwear—can be worn during duty hours and field operations without violating uniform standards or clashing with operational environments.
• The Hawaiian Warrior Helmet (Mahiole): The central silhouette blends contemporary soldier imagery with a traditional Hawaiian warrior helmet (mahiole). This pairing honors the lineage of Hawaiian warriors while representing today’s citizen-Soldiers standing watch over the islands.
• The Leiomano: Positioned within the design is a digitally illustrated leiomano (shark-tooth war club), traced directly from archival imagery captured during a Hawaii Army National Guard commercial production. The weapon signifies strength, protection, and readiness.
• Distinct Typography: Departing from the standard block lettering common among other state National Guard emblems, the design incorporates stylized script for the state name, providing a bespoke, local signature.

Central to the emblem’s philosophy is the Hawaiian phrase “Hana Hou”—translated as “one more time” or “do it again.” In Hawaiian culture, hana hou is an enthusiastic call for an encore. In the context of the National Guard, it captures the spirit of re-enlistment: a conscious decision by a Soldier to reaffirm their oath, stand with their unit once more, and continue answering the call to serve their community and nation.

The outer boundary of the emblem takes the form of an octagon, deliberately echoing the silhouette of a stop sign. The geometric choice serves as a visual metaphor: it encourages Soldiers approaching the end of their current enlistment contract to pause, reflect upon their military journey and accomplishments, and thoughtfully evaluate their next steps before committing to the next chapter of their career.

Since its deployment, the Hana Hou emblem has appeared across an array of authorized retention gear, including uniform items, field equipment, duffle bags, drinkware, and unit apparel. Whether worn by traditional M-Day Soldiers during monthly drill assemblies, utilized daily by Active Guard Reserve (AGR) personnel and Military Technicians, or carried by Guard members attending out-of-state professional military education and joint training exercises, the emblem serves a singular purpose: recognizing and distinguishing those who have chosen to go beyond their initial obligation and say hana hou to service in the Hawaii Army National Guard.