Six students were announced as winners in the Na ‘Opio o Puna Art Contest. The students were honored during a recent meeting of the Hawaii County Council in Hilo.
Through the contest, organized by Hawaii County’s Kilauea eruption recovery team and its partners, students attending high schools in Puna were invited to submit original artwork illustrating what it means to be “Hawai‘i Island and Puna Strong.”
“They dug down deep and they reflected on how the Kilauea eruption impacted them, their families and their community,” said Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz. “But beyond that, they wanted to celebrate what they feel makes Puna and Hawaii Island strong.”
Winners were:
• First place, “Love for Hawai‘i Island” by Jubilee Nelson Drake of Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science.
• Second place, “Champagne ponds” by Cayla Peat of Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science.
• Third place, “Howzit &A Hui Hou” by Janelle Chang of Pahoa High School.
Student artists receiving honorable mention were:
• Tara Davis of Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science for “Shattered Faces.”
• Travis Chai-Andrade of Kamehameha Schools for “Glowing Road.”
• Serenity Waiki of Pahoa Intermediate School for “As One Puna Hawaii.”
Each student was awarded an individual development account with Hawaiian Community Assets in amounts of $250 for honorable mentions, $500 for third place, $750 for second place and $1,000 for first place. The top three winners and their families also received a one-night stay at the Grand Naniloa Hotel courtesy of the hotel.
An individual development account is a restricted matched savings account often used for university expenses, career training or entrepreneurial opportunities. The contest individual development accounts are sponsored by Tetra Tech, SSFM International, Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development and Hawaiian Community Assets.
The students will work with Hawaiian Community Assets to determine the parameters of their savings goals.
Winners were determined by a selection committee consisting of Kierkiewicz, Puna Councilman Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Recovery Officer Douglas Le, Pahoa High School alumnus and University of Hawaii at Hilo student Keinan Agonias and Puna Action Committee Vice-Chairwoman Franny Brewer.
“Today, you should have a little bit more confidence in proceeding through life and in being part of your community,” said Kanealii-Kleinfelder.
The county will use this contest to explore an expanded pilot program to build financial resilience throughout Puna through financial education and savings opportunities for students and their ohana.
