David Y. Ige

Honolulu, Hawaii – Lawmakers are calling on students to amp up their brain power and share bright ideas to make Hawaii a renewable energy leader in the second annual Hawaii: Next 50 Contest. All Hawaii students in grades 4 -12 are invited to create an essay, poster or video submission that answers the question, “Over the next 50 years, what can I do to help Hawaii reach its 100 percent renewable energy goal?”

“Last year we received more than 450 entries from keiki from across the state were amazed to see the innovative range of their ideas,” said Representative Mark Nakashima, who spearheaded the revival of the Hawaii: Next 50 Contest. “This year we wanted to take that same enthusiasm and focus it on one of our state’s most pressing issues: the necessity of renewable energy to end our dependency on oil.”

The Hawaii: Next 50 Contest is inspired by former Governor George Ariyoshi’s book, Hawaii: The Past Fifty Years, The Next Fifty Years, which provided a retrospective look into our islands’ history as a state and prompts the next generation to think about what social, cultural, and economic roads we can take to keep Hawaii moving forward into the next century.

“It’s imperative that young people know they don’t have to wait to graduate or become an adult to join the conversation in shaping our state,” said Ariyoshi. “The book was my vision of a progressive Hawaii and it’s exciting to see what concepts the up-and-coming generation develops if we just ask.”

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.

The contest is a collaboration of the Hawaii State House of Representatives, Hawaii Future Caucus, and aio Foundation. More information can be found on the contest website at www.HawaiiNext50.com and questions can be directed to [email protected].

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 “Over the next 50 years, what can I do to help Hawaii reach its 100 percent renewable energy goal?”

Submissions will be accepted in two categories: essay and visual arts (poster or video).

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, 2016. Winners to be announced in March 2016.

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.

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Photo Caption: Legislators at a luncheon on March 20, 2015 to honor the first annual Hawaii: Next 50 Contest winners, (by grade level) Dallas Kuba, Gr. 4-5 Essay; Teyshaun Rosales, Gr. 4-5 Visual Arts; Lindsey Millerd, Gr. 6-8 Essay; Bryson Manuel, Gr. 6-8 Visual Arts; Kiani Nishimoto, Gr. 9-12 Essay; Kaydee Rapozo, Gr. 9-12 Visual Arts.

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William Nhieu

Assistant Director of Communications

Hawaii House of Representatives – Majority

Office: 808-587-7242

[email protected]