A first grader and an eighth grader have won classroom parties with a celebrity local chef and will be prominently featured in an upcoming calendar of local foods. The lucky students— Katelyn Matsumoto, an eighth grader at Kapolei Middle School and Tyler Gouveia, a first grader at Hoʻokena Elementary School—are the top two winners of this year’s Localicious Art and Poetry contest.
Overall Winner for Art
Katelyn’s winning entry, “‘Ahi Poke,” features two large ‘ahi and a mouth-watering bowl of poke garnished with seaweed and Maui onions.

Photo: Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
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Katelyn Matsumoto's winning artwork.
Overall Winner for Poetry
In Tyler’s poem, “Menpachi,” the first-grader tells readers about how catching, preparing and eating the fish is a treasured family activity.

Photo: Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
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Tyler Gouveia's winning poem.
In addition to the top winners, the contest awarded first-place and second-place winners.
First Place, Grades K-2

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
Pacific Islands Chicken Soup
"Pacific Islands Chicken Soup" by Elaina Attan from Kaʻiulani Elementary School.

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
Lilikoi-poem
"Lilikoi" by Zeffrey Harlow of Hoʻokena Elementary School
First Place, Grades 3-5

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
Stop Eating Junk Food, Eat Locally Grown Foods
"Stop Eating Junk Food, Eat Locally Grown Foods" by Julie (last name not provided) from Punahou School.

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
Li-hing-mui-pineapple-poem
"Li Hing Mui" by Sofia Mi Bretschneider from ʻAina Haina Elementary School.
First Place, Grades 6-8

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
Chicken Caesar Salad
"Chicken Caesar Salad" by Isaiah San Juan from Kapolei Middle School

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
Kona-coffee-poem-cropped
"Kona Coffee" by Grace (last name not provided), Grade 8, Kaimukī Christian School
Second Place, Grades K-2

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation
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"Chicken Kadu" by Grace-Ann Kaʻai from Kanoelani Elementary School

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation
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"ʻSquishy Lychee" by Elias Imig from Myron B. Thompson Academy
Second Place, Grades 3-5

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation
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"Localicious Hawaiʻi" by Skyy Smith from ʻAina Haina Elementary School

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation
Ice-Cream Dream-poem-cropped
"Ice-Cream Dream" by Chelsey Tyau from ʻIolani School
Second Place, Grades 6-8

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation
Soo See
"Soo-Shee" by Vivian Belle Gillbert from Benjamin Parker Elementary School

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation
Big Island Butterfish-poem
"Big Island Butterfish" by Christian (last name not provided), Grade 8, Kaimukī Christian School
The Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation hosted the Localicious Art and Poetry contest, presented by Hawaiʻi Gas, to help children appreciate local agriculture and think about the local foods they consume.
This year’s theme was “My Favorite Dish Made with a Locally Grown, Caught or Raised Product.” Nearly 200 entries were submitted by 31 public, private, public charter and home schools.
The contest is part of Localicious Hawai‘i, a statewide public awareness campaign throughout March to promote restaurants that use locally raised, grown or caught products. Proceeds from the campaign benefit HAF’s K-12 agriculture education programs through the purchase of a Localicious dish. Localicious has raised over $260,000 for ag education since the beginning of 2014.
HAF served over 4,600 K-12 students at 104 public schools statewide during the 2018-2019 school year.