2026 ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
Mahalo
Mahalo
We are honored to recognize this year’s 30 student winners, whose essays stood out for their clarity, sincerity, and depth of understanding. Of these winners, 13 are from O‘ahu schools and 17 represent neighbor island schools, highlighting the strong participation and talent across the islands.
To our winners, congratulations. Your words carry meaning and purpose, and they reflect the values that Eddie lived by. To all who participated, your effort matters, and your voice is part of something lasting.
To all participants, know that your effort matters. Eddie’s legacy lives on through each of you in the choices you make, the way you show up for others, and the values you carry forward in your daily life.
We are grateful for you, proud of you, and honored to share in this journey with you.
2026 Essay Contest Winners
7th Grade Winners
1st Place
Dezmarie Aarona – Sacred Hearts Academy (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Whitney Grohowski
Essay: Eddie Aikau and the Living Practice of Lokahi
2nd Place
Ethan Miyasaka – Mid Pacific Institute (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Stephen Ly
Essay: Eddie Aikau: A Beacon of Lokahi
3rd Place
Lilia “Hoku” Koehler – Calvary Chapel Christian School (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Venessa Sumpter
Essay: Eddie Aikau a Definition of Aloha and Courage from His Heart
4th Place
Athena Anguiano – Kailua Intermediate (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Bianca Reeves
Essay: Eddie Aikau a True Waterman
5th Place
Ma. Vanessa Castillo – Maui Waena Intermediate (Maui)
Teacher: Donna Marie Amante
Essay: Eddie Aikau: A Life of Harmony, Service and Strength
8th Grade Winners
1st Place
Tulsi Quayle – Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy (Kamuela, Hawai‘i)
Teacher: Nicole Anakalea
Essay: Finding Healing Through Passion
2nd Place
Teihani Lei Melendez-Siaki – American Renaissance Academy (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Wendi Izkua
Essay: Living in Lokahi
3rd Place
Kuuleimanaold David-Chapman – Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy (Kamuela, Hawai‘i)
Teacher: Nicole Anakalea
Essay: Bound by the Sea
4th Place
Breya Higa – Maui Waena Intermediate (Maui)
Teacher: Joshua Ching
Essay: Finding Balance Through the Swells of Life
5th Place
Finnegan LeDuc – Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy (Kamuela, Hawai‘i)
Teacher: Nicole Anakalea
Essay: Your Flame
9th Grade Winners
1st Place
Lelehune Reilly – Kamehameha Schools Kapālama (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Kapualoke Renaud
Essay: Waves of Lokahi
2nd Place
Hiilani Yurong – Kamehameha Schools Kapālama (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Kapualoke Renaud
Essay: Lokahi: Come Together as One
3rd Place
Scarlett Chen – Punahou School (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Rachel Navarro
Essay: Eddie Aikau: The Hero, The Legend, The Epitome of Lokahi
4th Place
Riva Quitan – University Laboratory School (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Kristen Kimura
Essay: Steady Through the Storm
5th Place
Cheveyo Rodriguez – Kamehameha Schools Kapālama (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Kapualoke Renaud
Essay: Eddie Aikau: Shaping the Waves of Lokahi
10th Grade Winners
1st Place
Keilana Maldonado – Kamehameha Schools Maui
Teacher: Vanessa Ching
Essay: Anchored in Lokahi
2nd Place
Olive Bukewihge – Kamehameha Schools Maui
Teacher: Vanessa Ching
Essay: Living With Lokahi
3rd Place
Summer Cheung – University Laboratory School (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Alison Hartle
Essay: Living Lokahi
4th Place
Leiann Marsden – American Renaissance Academy (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Conrad Kohrs
Essay: Living in Lokahi
5th Place
Ava Cuomo – Kamehameha Schools Maui
Teacher: Vanessa Ching
Essay: Riding the Waves of Lokahi
OLELO HAWAI‘I WINNERS
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Winners (High School – Grades 9 & 10)
1st Place
Namaka Frasco – Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu (Keaʻau, Hawai‘i)
Teacher: Paani Kelson
Essay: Kahe Ka Wai
2nd Place
Keakamaluhiwa Perreira – Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu
Teacher: Paani Kelson
Essay: E Paepae Hou Ia Ka Pōhaku
3rd Place
Kawainohia Hayes – Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu
Teacher: Paani Kelson
Essay: E Alu Like Mai Kākou E Nā ʻŌiwi O Hawaiʻi
4th Place
Kaahu Anakalea – Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu
Teacher: Paani Kelson
Essay: He Lokahi Ka Manaʻo, He Lāhui Ka Pahuhopu
5th Place
Kahililaulani Alapai-Boyd – Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu
Teacher: Paani Kelson
Essay: Ke Aʻa O Ka Lokahi
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Winners (Middle School – Grades 7 & 8)
1st Place
Kanehiwa Neumann – Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu
Teacher: Kauilani Rivera
Essay: He Laʻana No Ka Lokahi: O Eddie Aikau
2nd Place
Zariah Trusdell – Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu
Teacher: Kauilani Rivera
Essay: Ka Lokahi O Ke Ola Hawaiʻi
3rd Place
Kawainui Lindsey-Asing – Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu
Teacher: Kauilani Rivera
Essay: ʻAukahi Nā Nalu, He Ola Ko Laila
4th Place
Kualono Lauano – Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu
Teacher: Kauilani Rivera
Essay: ʻO Eddie Aikau Ke Koa O Ka Lokahi
5th Place
Kawehikuikealoha Nagata – Ka Waihona PCS (O‘ahu)
Teacher: Kaula Krug
Essay: Eddie Aikau Hō‘ike Ana I Ka Lokahi
