Kahua

The ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck

What if design wasn't about innovation—but about reconnection? Backed by research, this deck is an invitation: to slow down, to reflect, to design with integrity. To move beyond extractive practices and toward regenerative ones. To remember that all design is cultural—and that reclaiming our own ways of knowing is both an act of resistance and an act of love.

Read Reasearch Paper

The Research

Design Isn’t Universal—It’s Cultural

This project began as a challenge: what would it mean to redesign the design process itself? Rooted in academic inquiry and cultural practice, the ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck emerged from a multi-year capstone project exploring the intersections of Indigenous Hawaiian epistemology and Western design thinking.

The research draws on sources from Hawaiian studies, design theory, and Indigenous knowledge systems—critically examining how mainstream design often reinforces values like speed, mastery, and individualism. In contrast, this framework honors Hawaiian ways of knowing—like kilo (observation), moʻolelo (storytelling), and hana noʻeau (skilled practice)—as valid and powerful tools for creative work.

More than a critique, this project offers an alternative: a place-based, relational, and regenerative design model grounded in six Hawaiian values. The deck is both a response to extractive creative practices and a contribution to the broader movement of Indigenous innovation.

The Research

Design Isn’t Universal—It’s Cultural

This project began as a challenge: what would it mean to redesign the design process itself? Rooted in academic inquiry and cultural practice, the ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck emerged from a multi-year capstone project exploring the intersections of Indigenous Hawaiian epistemology and Western design thinking.

The research draws on sources from Hawaiian studies, design theory, and Indigenous knowledge systems—critically examining how mainstream design often reinforces values like speed, mastery, and individualism. In contrast, this framework honors Hawaiian ways of knowing—like kilo (observation), moʻolelo (storytelling), and hana noʻeau (skilled practice)—as valid and powerful tools for creative work.

More than a critique, this project offers an alternative: a place-based, relational, and regenerative design model grounded in six Hawaiian values. The deck is both a response to extractive creative practices and a contribution to the broader movement of Indigenous innovation.

The Process

The Thinking Behind the Cards

"Design grounded in ancestry, relationship, and rhythm." Each card in the ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck was shaped by six guiding principles that challenge Western design norms. These principles helped reframe not only *what* gets designed, but how and why we design in the first place.

Story is method

Moʻolelo carries theory, practice, and memory across generations.

Knowledge is cyclical

Creation is never linear; it spirals through reflection, iteration, and renewal.

Context is everything

There is no such thing as a neutral process; every act of design is positional.

Accountability is creative

Good design is rooted in pilina, kuleana, and the long view.

Surprise is part of learning

Reflection and play are essential to shift rigid ways of seeing.

Making is remembering

Hana noʻeau connects us to lineages of skilled, purposeful, and beautiful creation.

The Process

The Thinking Behind the Cards

"Design grounded in ancestry, relationship, and rhythm." Each card in the ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck was shaped by six guiding principles that challenge Western design norms. These principles helped reframe not only *what* gets designed, but how and why we design in the first place.

Story is method

Moʻolelo carries theory, practice, and memory across generations.

Knowledge is cyclical

Creation is never linear; it spirals through reflection, iteration, and renewal.

Context is everything

There is no such thing as a neutral process; every act of design is positional.

Accountability is creative

Good design is rooted in pilina, kuleana, and the long view.

Surprise is part of learning

Reflection and play are essential to shift rigid ways of seeing.

Making is remembering

Hana noʻeau connects us to lineages of skilled, purposeful, and beautiful creation.

The Deck

A Cultural Tool for Creative Transformation

The Deck

A Cultural Tool for Creative Transformation

The ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck is a 80-card system designed to support reflection, creativity, and design rooted in Indigenous values. Rather than following a rigid process, the deck invites users to move fluidly through themes, prompts, and provocations inspired by ʻŌiwi worldviews.

What's inside:

60

Practice Cards

2

Grounding Cards

7

Portals Cards

7

Navigation Cards

7

Huli Cards

7

Holo Cards

Read Guidebook

The Deck

A Cultural Tool for Creative Transformation

The ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck is a 80-card system designed to support reflection, creativity, and design rooted in Indigenous values. Rather than following a rigid process, the deck invites users to move fluidly through themes, prompts, and provocations inspired by ʻŌiwi worldviews.

What's inside:

60

Practice Cards

2

Grounding Cards

7

Portals Cards

7

Navigation Cards

7

Huli Cards

7

Holo Cards

Read Guidebook

The Workflows

How to Use the Deck

There’s no one “right” way to use this deck. Whether you’re a student, solo designer, educator, or community leader, the deck adapts to your intentions. Here are four common ways to activate the cards:

01

Use Case

01

Solo Reflection

Start your day or design session by pulling a single card. Sit with its value, metaphor, or prompt. Use it as a journaling or sketching tool to guide clari

02

Use Case

02

Project Phase Mapping

Working on a specific project? Map out each design phase (Understand, Research, etc.) and pull 1–2 cards from each category to explore that phase with cultural integrity.

03

Use Case

03

Group Facilitation

Use the deck in workshops or classrooms. Let each participant pull a card and explain how it speaks to their role, challenge, or vision. Use Nā Huli and Huli Paths for team recalibration.

04

Use Case

04

Creative Breakthrough

Feeling blocked or unsure? Try the “Reframe” Huli Path: ask a question, pull 2–3 cards at random, and read them as if they’re responses from your kūpuna or from ʻāina.

The Creator

About the Designer

This deck was created by Tre Zamora, a Native Hawaiian designer, researcher, and cultural strategist committed to reclaiming space for Indigenous knowledge in design.

As a student, storyteller, and kapa practitioner, Tre has worked at the intersections of graphic design, multimedia storytelling, curriculum development, and ʻŌiwi design thinking. This project is part of his Creative Media Capstone at UH West Oʻahu, but lives beyond the classroom as a tool for community use, cultural restoration, and creative resistance.

The Creator

About the Designer

This deck was created by Tre Zamora, a Native Hawaiian designer, researcher, and cultural strategist committed to reclaiming space for Indigenous knowledge in design.

As a student, storyteller, and kapa practitioner, Tre has worked at the intersections of graphic design, multimedia storytelling, curriculum development, and ʻŌiwi design thinking. This project is part of his Creative Media Capstone at UH West Oʻahu, but lives beyond the classroom as a tool for community use, cultural restoration, and creative resistance.

The Feedback

Voices from the Deck

Real reflections from early users, educators, and community collaborators.

Want to Learn More or Provide Feedback?

Interested in bringing the ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck into your classroom, organization, or creative space? Have feedback, questions, or want to collaborate on expanding this work?

Reach to me via email!

Let's Chat!

The Feedback

Voices from the Deck

Real reflections from early users, educators, and community collaborators.

Want to Learn More or Provide Feedback?

Interested in bringing the ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck into your classroom, organization, or creative space? Have feedback, questions, or want to collaborate on expanding this work?

Reach to me via email!

Let's Chat!

FAQ

Top of Mind Questions You Might Have

What is the ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck?

Who is this deck for?

Do I need to be Hawaiian or Indigenous to use this deck?

How do I get started with the deck?

What are Nā Huli cards and how do I use them?

Can I use this deck in my classroom or workshop?

How can I provide feedback or get involved?

FAQ

Top of Mind Questions You Might Have

What is the ʻŌiwi Design Thinking Deck?

Who is this deck for?

Do I need to be Hawaiian or Indigenous to use this deck?

How do I get started with the deck?

What are Nā Huli cards and how do I use them?

Can I use this deck in my classroom or workshop?

How can I provide feedback or get involved?