Nearly 200 students submit entries to statewide Localicious® Art and Poetry competition
Honolulu, HI – The Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the 2020 Localicious® Art and Poetry contest presented by Hawaiʻi Gas – “My Favorite Dish Made with a Locally Grown, Caught or Raised Product.” Katelyn Matsumoto, eighth grader at Kapolei Middle School and Tyler Gouveia, first grader at Hoʻokena Elementary School are the two overall winners of the art and poetry contests, respectively. Katelyn’s winning entry, titled “Ahi Poke” depicted a vivid portrayal of two large ahi and a mouth-watering, juicy bowl of poke with tasty additions of seaweed and Maui onions. In his poem, “Menpachi,” first-grader Tyler tells readers about how catching, preparing and eating the fish is a treasured family activity.
In addition to the overall winners, six other first place and six other second place winners were selected. They included:
- Kona Coffee by Grace Hart, Grade 8, Kaimuki Christian School
- Pacific Islands Chicken Soup by Elaina Attan, Grade 1, Kaʻiulani Elementary School
- Squishy Lychee by Elias Imig, Grade 2, Myron B. Thompson Academy
- Big Island Butterfish by Christian Tokioka, Grade 8, Kaimuki Christian School
This year, HAF received a record number of entries. Nearly 200 entries were submitted from 31 public, public charter, private and home schools from 64 participating teachers. The entries were judged by a selection committee consisting of: Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent of the Department of Education (DOE); Troy Sueoka of the DOE, Alison Inouye of the DOE, Audrey Okaneku of Hawai‘i Gas and Heather Williams of Art Explorium.
The Localicious® Art and Poetry contest encourages keiki to think more consciously about where their food comes from, and to celebrate their favorite local foods. The contest is an extension of Localicious® Hawai‘i, a statewide public awareness campaign throughout March that promotes restaurants that source locally grown, caught or raised products. All proceeds raised from the campaign benefit HAF’s K-12 ag education programs through the purchase of a Localicious® dish. Since the beginning in 2014, Localicious® has raised over $260,000 for ag education. In the 2018-19 school year, HAF served over 4,600 K-12 students at 104 public schools statewide.
“The Localicious Art & Poetry contest gives students an opportunity to express themselves creatively while also learning about food and where it comes from,” says Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. “Students also gain an appreciation for local agriculture.”
In addition to a $100 gift card, the overall winners will each enjoy a class party with a local celebrity chef. First place winners each receive a $75 gift card and the second-place winners are awarded a $50 gift card. All winning entries will be featured prominently in the 2021 Localicious® calendar.
The winning entries are on display at the State Capitol in the Chambers Level Foyer from February 3 through February 18.
Media photos available upon request.
About Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation
The Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization created to promote agriculture and farming. Established in 2007, HAF’s mission is to support and sustain Hawai‘i’s agricultural industry by addressing critical needs and services of farmers and the agricultural industry in Hawai‘i, and by better connecting the farmers with the community and vice-versa.
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