2020 ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

We received a total of 270 essay submissions this year. With 43 of those from schools participating in the Hawaiian Language category. 


These submissions came from a mix of public, private and charter schools, with a couple of submissions from home schooled programs. 


  • Grade 7 - 11 schools
  • Grade 8 - 8 schools
  • Grade 9 - 6 schools
  • Grade 10 - 5 schools
  • Hawaiian Language - 4 schools


7TH GRADE CATEGORY

  • 1st Place: Jessiah Walker, Kailua Intermediate - Oahu
     
  • 2nd Place: Cora Hill, Kailua Intermediate - Oahu

  • 3rd Place - Kade Conger - Kailua Intermediate, Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Damon Nagata, Kamehameha Schools - Keaau, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Caleigh Nicholle Rhinehart - Kailua Intermediate, Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Darwynn Ayling - Kailua Intermediate, Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Liliana P. - Kailua Intermediate, Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Emu Kato - Kailua Intermediate, Oahu



8TH GRADE CATEGORY


  • 1st Place: Catherine Hulugalle, Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela, Hawaii Island

  • 2nd Place: Emmy Pynes, Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela, Hawaii Island

  • 3rd Place: Parker Kainalu Birdsall, Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Eve D. Ely, Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Kalei Doak, Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Laurie Trivett, Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: River Baydo, Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Charlotte Kassis, Hawaii Preparatory Academy - Kamuela, Hawaii Island



9TH GRADE CATEGORY


  • 1st Place: Amara Martin, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama, Oahu


  • 2nd Place: Kekoa Agpalsa, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama, Oahu

  • 3rd Place: Lily Chun, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama, Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Reina Gammarino, Punahou School, Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Gage Bassett, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama, Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Nyssa Hanawahine, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama, Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Zoe Kamakani Maikai, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Anuenue

  • Honorable Mention: Mele Peaua, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama, Oahu



10TH GRADE CATEGORY


  • 1st Place: Lily Hannah Engle, Punahou School - Oahu

  • 2nd Place: Jyzxel Rhodz Bagaoisan, Keeau High School - Hawaii Island

  • 3rd Place: Arielle Cook, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama, Oahu 

  • Honorable Mention: Caleb Labo, Konawaena High School - Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Devlyn Kojima, Konawaena High School - Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Ethan Sampaia-Iglesias, HI Technology Academy - Oahu





MIDDLE SCHOOL - HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE - 7TH & 8TH GRADE


  • 1st Place: Ho'ailona Mahuka, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Pu'ohala - Oahu


  • 2nd Place: Māhealani Figueroa-Lee, Ka 'Umeke Ka'eo PCS - Hilo, Hawaii Island

  • 3rd Place: Kaiko'o Singlehurst, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Pu'ohala - Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Kalola Kamahalohanuilai, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Pu'ohala - Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Moani Mirafuentes, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Pu'ohala - Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Zhaeden Andres-Johnston, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Pu'ohala - Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Uilani Pa'ao'ao, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Pu'ohala - Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Kia'i Naluai, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Pu'ohala - Oahu


HIGH SCHOOL - HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE - 9TH & 10TH GRADE


  • 1st Place: Kauluwena Aiona, Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u - Keaau, Hawaii Island

  • 2nd Place: Keanokualani Perreira, Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u - Keaau, Hawaii Island

  • 3rd Place Nali'ipo'aimoku Harman, Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u - Keaau, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Hoapili Kukea-Schultz, MId-Pacific Institute, Oahu

  • Honorable Mention: Destiny Leialohalani Lominario, Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u - Keaau, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Nai'a Iaea, Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u - Keaau, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention: Kauahe Motta, Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u - Keaau, Hawaii Island

  • Honorable Mention Kamakoa Loo-McDaniel, Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u - Keaau, Hawaii Island