Department of Transportation

HONOLULU — The six Hawaii winners of the 2014 International Aviation Art Contest were honored at a ceremony held today at the Honolulu International Airport. The annual contest is sponsored by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), and the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO).

The purpose of the contest is to motivate and encourage young people to become more familiar with and participate in aeronautics, engineering, and science. The FAI chooses a new theme each year, and this year’s theme was “Flying Saves Lives.”

The entries are for three age categories: Group I, ages six to nine; Group II, ages 10 to 13; and Group III, ages 14 to 17. The top three state contest entries in each age group are forwarded for national judging, and the national first, second, and third place entries in each age group are sent to FAI Headquarters for international judging.

The Hawaii contest winners (the top three in each age group) receive a certificate and a cash award. The national winners are awarded certificates, ribbons, and a framed reproduction of their artwork. International awardees receive certificates and gold, silver, or bronze medals.

This year, the Hawaii contest received approximately 48 entries from private and public schools in the Junior and Intermediate age categories. The artwork was judged in February, and the winning entries were sent to Washington, D.C. The national judging was completed in March.

Hawaii Winners:

Group I (Junior) Category (ages six to nine)

1^st Place: Kapio Madrid, age nine, Paia School

2^nd Place: Tavarua Wallace, age nine, Paia School

3^rd Place: Kelina Pham-Nguyen, age 8, Maryknoll Academy

Group II (Intermediate) Category (ages 10 to 13)

1^st Place: Rachelle Marie Lariba, age 13, Kapolei Middle School

2^nd Place: Johnson Campos Jr, age 13, Kapolei Middle School

3^rd Place: Joseph Payongayong, age 13, Kapolei Middle School