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Momi Cazimero

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Momi Cazimero
Born1933 Edit this on Wikidata
Alma mater
OccupationGraphic designer Edit this on Wikidata
Position heldpresident (Graphic House, 1972–), board member (Aloha Festivals, 2021–), trustee (University of Hawaiʻi) Edit this on Wikidata

Momi Cazimero is an American graphic designer and firm owner,[1] who established the first woman-owned graphic design firm in Hawaii.[2]

Early life

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Cazimero is of Hawaiian, Okinawan, and English descent.[3] She spent her early years with her grandparents John and Annie Waihe'e in Pepe'ekeo on the island of Hawai'i.[1] When Cazimero was 8 years old, her grandfather passed away and she was sent to live with her parents in Hilo, Hawaii.[1]

Cazimero suffered both physical and verbal abuse in her new home,[4] causing her to flee at the age of 11. By age 12, she attended Kamehameha School in Honolulu on a work scholarship,[4] and was inspired by her aunt and school teacher named Esther McClellan.[1] She lived in the dorms during the school year, and with her aunt over the summer, avoiding visiting home due to the abuse she received.[3]

Career

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Cazimero attended college at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa,[5] her primary focus being on teaching after she graduated.[5][1] However, after meeting professor Kenneth Kingery, she realized she wanted to go into graphic design instead of becoming a teacher, and opted to instead earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in advertising design.[5] Her primary intent in her work was described as being focused on "elevating the images and icons of Hawaii and Hawaiians".[1]

In 1972, Cazimero established the first female-owned graphic design firm in Hawaii, known as Graphic House.[1][4][2] By 1989, her business had expanded to five different locations.[2] There has been a wide range of clients for Graphics House, with academies and museums among them.[5]

Led by Jane Okamoto Komeiji, and in collaboration with Tom Klobe, Cazimero helped create the 1995 exhibit "Okage Sama De: I am what I am because of you" at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i.[6]

Cazimero has served on many different boards, commissions, and organizations, among them the State Judicial Selection Commission (as vice chair), the Bishop Museum Council (as president), and the Small Business Advisory Council (as chair).[5] Additionally, she has served as vice chair on the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents.[3]

In 2001, Cazimero, David J De la Torre, Manulani Aluli Meyer, and the Honolulu Academy of Arts co-authored the book "Nā maka hou = New visions : contemporary native Hawaiian art."[7]

On March 25, 2004, she was awarded the Pacific Business News Gladys Kamakakuokalani Ainoa Brandt Kupuna Award.[8] She also served on the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' 2004-2005 Legislative Committee and Hawai'i State Art Museum Committee.[9]

Cazimero was the designer for David W Eyre's 2007 book Clare : the Honolulu years.[10]

From October 25 to December 11, 2009, Cazimero's work was featured in an art exhibition at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa that highlighted alumni artists.[11]

Momi Cazimero is the 2021 Aloha Festival’s Emeritus Board Member.[12]

Personal life

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Cazimero took her last name "Cazimero" during her first marriage. Her current husband is Lester Nakasone. She has four children.[3]

Community service

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  • Hale Kipa Campaign Committee, Vice Chair
  • American Judicature Society, Board of Directors[13]
  • State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commissioner
  • Queen's Health System, Trustee,[14] 1989-2004
    • Queen's Medical Center, Trustee
    • Moloka'i General Hospital, Chair
    • Queen Emma Foundation, Trustee
  • Hawai'i State Judiciary, Judicial Selection Commission,[15] 1983-1989
  • Aloha Festivals, Directors Emeritus[16]
  • Hawaii's Friends of Morocco[17]
  • University of Hawai'i, Association of Emeritus Regents[18]

Awards

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  • Gladys Kamakakuokalani 'Ainoa Brandt Kupuna Award, Pacific Business News, Honolulu (2004)[19]
  • University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Distinguished Alumni Award,[20] University of Hawai'i, Honolulu.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Hawaii's Remarkable Women: Momi Cazimero". www.kitv.com. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  2. ^ a b c "Documenting the History of Design in Hawaii | AIGA Honolulu". Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  3. ^ a b c d Momi Cazimero | Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox, 2 February 2018, retrieved 2021-09-29
  4. ^ a b c Sawada, Kristen (Mar 28, 2004). "Momi Cazimero: 2004 Gladys Kamakakuokalani 'Ainoa Brandt Kupuna Award Winner". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  5. ^ a b c d e Yount, David (1996). Who Runs the University? The Politics of Higher Education in Hawaii, 1985-1992. United States: University of Hawai'i Press. pp. 131–132. ISBN 0824818210.
  6. ^ Inamasu, Melvin; Harada, Violet (1 January 2021). "The Hawaii Herald - Hawaii's Japanese American Journal". The Hawaii Herald. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  7. ^ Nā maka hou = New visions : contemporary native Hawaiian art. Momi Cazimero, David J. De la Torre, Manulani Aluli Meyer, Honolulu Academy of Arts. Honolulu: Honolulu Academy of Arts. 2001. ISBN 0-937426-46-6. OCLC 48096278.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ^ Sawada, Kristen (Feb 15, 2004). "PBN awards businesswoman's impact". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  9. ^ "Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' Annual Report for the Fiscal Year 2004-2005" (PDF). ags.hawaii.gov. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  10. ^ Eyre, David W. (2007). Clare : the Honolulu years. Momi Cazimero. Honolulu, Hawaii: Mutual Pub. ISBN 978-1-56647-837-3. OCLC 137222765.
  11. ^ "Degrees of Distinction ::ART GALLERY:: University of Hawaii at Manoa". www.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  12. ^ "The 75th Anniversary of the Aloha Festivals". KHON2. 2021-10-21. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  13. ^ "Officers and Directors". American Judicature Society. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  14. ^ "KENNY BROWN / 1919-2014 Obituary | Honolulu Star-Advertiser". obits.staradvertiser.com. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  15. ^ "Judicial Selection Commission Member Archive". www.courts.state.hi.us. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  16. ^ "About Aloha Festivals". Aloha Festivals. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  17. ^ "Friends of Morocco - Hawaii USA". www.morocco-in-hawaii.com. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  18. ^ "Emeritus Regents of the University of Hawaii". www.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  19. ^ Sawada, Kristen (March 28, 2004). "Momi Cazimero: 2004 Gladys Kamakakuokalani 'Ainoa Brandt Kupuna Award Winner". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  20. ^ "System: UH Alumni Association Announces 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients | University of Hawaii News". manoa.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
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