$13K to Maui Youth Centers in HC&S “Selfie” Competition

This year’s grand prize winner was Hāna Youth Center, with three winning photographs which earned them a total of $4,500 in prize money.

By Wendy Osher

A total of $13,000 was donated by Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company and East Maui Irrigation to seven youth groups on Maui as part of a second annual “selfie” photo competition designed to promote safety.

Youth Centers on Maui utilized “Play Hard, Play Safe” branded trucker hats as props for their photos in the “Safety Selfie Competition.”

Contest organizers said the contest challenged entrants to find unique ways to encourage Maui’s keiki to stay out of the company’s ditches and off the cane roads, and instead seek out other fun activities around the island.

The $3,000 grand prize winner this year was the Hāna Youth Center, which was selected as the “Viewer’s Favorite” winner.  The Hāna Youth Center had a total of three winning entries, earning an additional $1,500 in prize money.  Other winning entries included:

• Kīhei Youth Center: $2,750
• Boys & Girls Club of Maui, Haʻikū: $2,000
• Pāʻia Youth & Cultural Center: $1,750
• Boys & Girls Club of Maui, Lahaina: $1,000
• Boys & Girls Club of Maui, Makawao: $500
• Boys & Girls Club of Maui, Central: $500

The companies received a total of 60 entries.  In addition to public votes for the viewer’s choice entry, a panel of judges that included Kanoa Leahey, Brendan Smith, Saedene Ota, Nicole Shipman, and Mayor Alan Arakawa, selected the other winning photos in various categories.

Awards ceremony with Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa.

In addition to the cash grants awarded to the youth centers, company representatives say the facilities were also given copies of a 2015 calendar featuring the contest entries, that will be used to sell as a fundraising tool.