Temari's Treasure: Grant Kagimoto

Almost 50 years ago, Grant Kagimoto put the humble musubi on a t-shirt. Grant made the triangle-shaped rice ball an island icon and revolutionized the t-shirt industry in Hawai‘i. This all began in 1975, when Grant founded Cane Haul Road to capture all that is special about Hawai‘i through his distinctive apparel and product designs. A decade spent growing up outside Hawai‘i gave Hilo-born Grant a heightened awareness of what it means to be local. With wit and humor, his Cane Haul Road designs, numbering in the hundreds, celebrate the traditions, language and foods that bind us throughout the islands.

Grant hasn’t rested on his t-shirt laurels. He’s been a relentless supporter of Hawai‘i’s evolving arts community and non-profit organizations. He has dedicated his time to the next generation of artists, tirelessly devoting himself to public service as a volunteer on the Mayor’s Commission on Culture and the Arts along with the City & County of Honolulu’s Grant-in-Aid Commission. He also has juried local and national art shows, including the Hawai‘i Regional Scholastic Art Awards. Grant has also organized art fairs featuring works by local artists and craftspeople, donating his design expertise and creating logos for more than 60 non-profit organizations.

Everything is possible in Grant’s world, much to Temari’s good fortune. From its inception, Grant has provided Temari with guidance and inspiration as board president, a member of the board, and strategic advisor. He’s generously shared his connections to the art community over the years and is valued for thinking outside the box and envisioning new directions and programs. Wherever he’s needed as a volunteer: jury selection of artists for Trash & Treasure Fairs, sawing bamboo for kadomatsu, printing custom-designed Temari t-shirts and bags for members — Grant is there. Always radiating humility, creative energy and a giving heart, Grant Kagimoto is truly a Temari Treasure.