13 Big Island Students Earn Top Gold Key Honors in Regional Art Awards

Thirteen student artists from Hawaiʻi Island claimed Gold Key awards in the 2026 Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards, earning the competition's highest regional distinction as part of a statewide recognition that drew 2,550 submissions from grades 7 through 12.

The Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and Lexus Hawaiʻi announced that 427 students total earned regional awards this year, with work selected from 34 public, private, charter and home schools across the state. A panel of local artists and creative professionals reviewed all entries against national Scholastic Awards standards, judging on craftsmanship, creativity and purpose.

The Gold Key carries real stakes beyond the regional honor. Recipients advance to national judging, where they compete for medals, scholarships and the opportunity to have their work exhibited in New York City. Statewide, 163 Gold Key-winning pieces are currently on display at Capitol Modern, the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum in Honolulu, through March 21. The awards presentation itself was held February 28 at the same venue.

"We were truly inspired by the depth, originality and personal stories reflected in this year's student artwork," said Kamakani Konia, SFCA Art in Public Places Program Director and State Art Museum Director. "The Scholastic Art Awards are an opportunity to honor their work while affirming the value of arts education in shaping confident, expressive and engaged young people."

The program roots run deep: the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were established in 1923, making them the nation's longest-running recognition program for creative teens. Students submitted original works from October through December before the regional judging took place.

Lexus Hawaiʻi added two prize layers on top of the regional structure. The company presented its Takumi Award to 20 students statewide, each receiving a $200 cash prize. Inspired by Lexus' Takumi philosophy of mastery, patience and dedication to craft, the award targets work demonstrating exceptional attention to detail. A second prize, the Visionary Award, will be given to up to two Hawaiʻi students after national winners are announced later this year; each recipient would receive a $4,000 scholarship alongside a $4,000 grant directed to their school's art program.

Recognized work spanned mediums from sculpture to mixed media and painting. At Kamehameha Schools Maui, instructor Angie Abe's students Wiline Puaa, Alohikamahinalani Keahi and Sara Stupplebeen each earned Honorable Mention recognition for works in mixed media and painting.

The names of the 13 Hawaiʻi Island Gold Key recipients have not been publicly released in full. Their work, along with the other 150 Gold Key pieces on display statewide, remains viewable at Capitol Modern through March 21.