Baldwin Student Places 2nd in 2017 Congressional Art Competition

Baldwin High School senior Chais Pascua of Maui placed second and won the People’s Choice award in the 2017 Kaha Kiʻi Second Congressional District Art Competition for his entry: WahineʻUmeʻUme.

The winners were announced on Saturday moroning at the Hawai‘i State Capitol during a ceremony hosted by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard in coordination with the Hawai‘i Art Education Association and Youth Art Month.

The first-place, second-place, third-place, and “People’s Choice” pieces of art will be showcased at the US Capitol, in Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s Washington, DC and Hawaiʻi offices, and online.

“Congratulations to our 2017 Kaha Ki‘i Second Congressional District Art Competition winners Tori Wills, Chais Pascua, and Daymien Rodrigues, our remaining ten finalists, and the more than one hundred students from across the state who submitted incredible artwork this year,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard in her address to the art students at the awards ceremony.

“Your artwork is an amazing platform to communicate. It moves people. It inspires. It provokes thought, conversation, debate, and sometimes, even controversy. What you’re doing is powerful, and I’m so proud to be one small part of making this happen so we can encourage you to continue expressing yourselves through your art, which is showcased here in Hawai‘i, in Washington, as well as across the country and around the world through our Facebook page. Keep striving to increase your already amazing abilities—you have more supporters and champions than you know,” said Rep. Gabbard.

Each spring, Rep. Gabbard sponsors the Kaha Kiʻi Congressional Art Competition to recognize and encourage creativity across Hawai‘i as part of a nationwide high school art competition with other Members of the US House of Representatives. The “People’s Choice” winner was determined by a contest on Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s Facebook page.

Other Maui finalists included: Hula Skirts by Lacey Santos, Grade 12 Seabury Hall; Self Portrait by Lillian Pickering, Grade 12 Seabury Hall; and Girl in the Shadows by Sonja Angst, Grade 12 Molokaʻi High School.

2017 Kaha Ki‘i Second Congressional District Art Competition Winners.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (in blue with white and purple lei) at the 2017 Kaha Ki‘i Second Congressional District Art Competition.

2017 Kaha Ki‘i Second Congressional District Art Competition Finalists.

Kalaheo High (Oʻahu) senior Tori Wills won first place in the 2017 Kaha Ki‘i Second Congressional District Art Competition for her entry: The Old Ways

Baldwin HS senior, Chais Pascua won 2nd Place and the People’s Choice award in the 2017 Kaha Ki‘i Second Congressional District Art Competition for his entry: Wahine’Ume’Ume

Leilehua High (Oʻahu) 9th grader, Daymien Rodrigues won 3rd Place and the People’s Choice award in the 2017 Kaha Ki‘i Second Congressional District Art Competition for his entry: What’s Around