On a shield shaped embroidered item arched at top and edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) Yellow border, blazoned as follows: Sable, a pellet fimbriated Or, surmounted by a plate bearing a stylized hawk's head couped to dexter, its head of the second, beaked and eyed Argent, edged and garnished of the first. Attached above the shield a Black scroll inscribed "NANAKULI" in Yellow letters. The overall dimensions are 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 1/8 inches (5.40 cm) in width.
Black and gold are the school colors. The golden hawk is the school's mascot. The stylized hawk profile represents the pride of the Hawaiian people of the Nanakuli valley. The Hawaiian hawk, io, is the most predatory, indigenous, air-land animal that soars freely in Hawaii. lolani was a sacred hawk of Hawaiian mythology and also one of the names of King Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho lolani). lolani means "Hawk of Heaven" or Royal Hawk" and the flight of the io was believed to be a sign of royalty. A Hawaiian proverb from ancient times states: "He io au, he manu l ka lewa lani" ("I am an io, the bird that soars in the heavenly space"). This is meant to be a boast. The highest chiefs were often called io (hawk), "king of the Hawaiian birds." Black and gold were treasured (kapu, taboo) colors as only the rarest birds' feathers were used to adorn royal cloaks, headdress and scepters. The school's motto is "Kulia l Ka Nu'u" (We strive for the Highest).
The shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized 8 April 2011. (TIOH Drawing Number A-10J-956)