The third annual Hawaii: Next 50 Contest includes a new multimedia category to engage students’ creative side in solving key state issues.

October 10, 2016
Media Contact: Carolyn Tanaka 808-586-6133, 808-381-7752
Contact: Rep. Mark Nakashima 808-586-6680

hi50

Honolulu, Hawaii – Youth statewide are being called on to download their ideas on some of Hawaii’s most pressing issues: access to affordable housing, achieving food sustainability, and expanding innovative industries in the third annual Hawaii: Next 50 Contest. All students in grades 4 – 12 are eligible to submit their solutions now through January 31, 2017. Winners will be honored on the floor of the Hawaii State House of Representatives, attend a luncheon with key legislators, and receive a monetary prize.

With this year’s focus on technology and innovation, a new multimedia category was created to accommodate an array of visual entries from traditional drawings and paintings to videos or 3D models and other creative formats. As in years past, essay entries are also accepted.

The Hawaii: Next 50 Contest is inspired by former Governor George Ariyoshi’s book, Hawaii: The Past Fifty Years, The Next Fifty Years, and students will read the book before launching their own ideas for Hawaii’s future. Free copies of the book can be requested online at www.HawaiiNext50.com.

After reading Hawaii: The Past Fifty Years, The Next Fifty Years, students will answer the question: “Looking ahead to the next 50 years, imagine how we can use current technology or future technology to create more affordable housing, achieve food sustainability, or promote new and innovative industries.” Students are encouraged to get inspired and find solutions using technology in one of the three topics. The technology utilized can exist currently or be an idea that might be possible in the future.

The contest is a collaboration of the Hawaii State House of Representatives, aio Foundation, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

More information can be found online at www.HawaiiNext50.com or email HawaiiNext50@gmail.com.

Hawaii: Next 50 Contest

WHO: Students enrolled in grades 4 – 12 are eligible to enter.
WHAT: Students are asked to read Hawaii: The Past Fifty Years, The Next Fifty Years and respond to the question Looking ahead to the next 50 years, imagine how we can use current technology or future technology to:

  • Create more affordable housing
  • Achieve food sustainability
  • Promote new and innovative industries

Students are encouraged to get creative and find solutions using technology in one of the three topics. The technology utilized can exist currently or be an idea that might be possible in the future as long as the details are explained in the contest entry.

Submissions will be accepted in two categories: essay or multimedia (e.g. drawing, painting, other art piece, video, etc.)

Free copies of Hawaii: The Past Fifty Years, The Next Fifty Years are available by request at www.HawaiiNext50.com.

WHEN: All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2017. Winners to be announced in March 2017.
WHY: To challenge the up-and-coming generation to become stakeholders in shaping our future. Winners will be honored during a floor presentation at the Hawaii State Capitol, attend a luncheon with legislators, receive a monetary prize, and have their project published online.

View the PDF media release.

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