The 5th Annual Honua Scholars Proposal Competition fosters new ideas that could positively impact Hawaiʻi communities through STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine). This year, we invite proposals exploring the theme: “Mālama honua, mālama kaiāulu, mālama kānaka: Caring for earth, community, people in the 21st century”

Students may explore research questions, engineering and software solutions, and community-level initiatives to address the theme. Reflecting this, we have three main categories of proposals:

• Science and Research: These proposals focus on hypothesis-driven experiments to better understand the world and gather data to guide future work as it relates to this year's theme. Previous submissions have investigated topics like the effects of video games on grades, bacterial concentrations at different beaches, ways to support student mental health, the impact of food systems on diabetes, the medicinal properties of native plants, and so much more.

• Technology and Invention: These proposals focus on designing new tools that can address real-world challenges related to this year's theme. Previous submissions have designed robots that can monitor and treat impacts from coconut rhinoceros beetle, medical devices for knee injuries, apps to support language learning, apps to support caregiving for elders with dementia, and so much more.

• Programming and Policy: These proposals focus on driving community- and society-level change related to this year's theme. Previous submissions have proposed community work days, mandating Hawaiian History education in local public schools, funding for solar-powered crosswalks, introducing peer support to classrooms, creating gardening programs to support mental health, and so much more.

Students in 4th grade through college are eligible to submit a proposal to this competition, regardless of nationality or origin. Prizes will be provided for outstanding submissions. 

Please contact us at info@honuascholars.org if you have any questions! 

In 2026, Honua Scholars is introducing an Art Competition that complements our written Proposal Competition. We invite young artists to submit visual art pieces that fit the theme of our 2026 Proposal Competition: “Mālama honua, mālama kaiāulu, mālama kānaka: Caring for earth, community, people in the 21st century”.

Eligibility

This competition is open to students 5-25 years old from all races and ethnicities. We enthusiastically invite entries from students in Hawaiʻi as well as the broader global community, with a special emphasis on participation from Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders across Moananuiākea and diaspora. Please contact us at info@honuascholars.org with any questions.

Submission Instructions

Applicants should complete this form to submit their art. If you have difficulty uploading your materials, please indicate so on the submission form and email info@honuascholars.org.

Each submission will require all three of the following:

1. Visual Art Submission (JPEG or PNG)

Submissions need to be two dimensional and created with any handheld media (pencil, pen, paint, etc.). We will not accept images that are generated on a computer and printed. Artwork should not contain copyrighted materials. The dimensions of the art submission need to be a minimum of 8.5 inches by 11 inches and no larger than 36 inches by 24 inches. Take a digital image or scan your art (minimum 300 DPI resolution) and upload it with the submission form.

2. A brief description of the project and how it relates to the theme

Descriptions can be up to 150 words written in English, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or other Pacific Islander Languages. If writing in a language other than ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi or English, please email us at info@honuascholars.org at least one month before the deadline so we can coordinate with a qualified reviewer.

3. Consent Form (1 page PDF)

If submitting as a group project, each team member must complete a consent form.

Awards and Prizes

Top submissions in elementary, intermediate, high school, and post-high school categories will be recognized and displayed at our annual Laulima Symposium in November. Submissions will have opportunities to receive awards up to a $100 grand prize. Submissions may be featured on various Honua Scholars media and press releases.