The Future of Our ʻĀina

How can we mālama the ʻāina for generations to come?

HomeAid Hawaiʻi invites Hawaiʻi's keiki to imagine how land can become a place where people, community, and ʻāina thrive together. 

HomeAid Hawaiʻi is nonprofit community developer. We build for people, not profit, and work with cultural practitioners, community leaders, and local partners to understand and respect each place. 

Now, we want to see the future through the eyes of Hawaiʻi's keiki.

Students are invited to draw a picture showing how they would mālama the ʻāina and create a place where people and community can thrive for generations to come. 

Their drawing might include homes, gardens, native plants, places to grow food, spaces to play or learn, or places where families and friends can gather. Students are encouraged to think about Hawaiʻis culture, our environment, and the people who live here. 

There is no right or wrong answer. We want to see their ideas. 

Guidelines

    • Teachers will introduce and conduct the activity in class
    • Each student should complete the contest flyer and drawing page
    • Students should include their first name, grade, teacher, and school. Please do not include a last name on the front of the artwork.
    • Teachers will collect all completed entries from their class
    • HomeAid Hawaiʻi will coordinate directly with each participating school to pick up the collected artwork

    Individual students and families do not need to mail or deliver entries to HomeAid Hawaiʻi.

    • Friday, October 2: Schools confirm participation 
    • Monday, October 12: Contest materials delivered
    • October 12 through November 20: Classroom activity period
    • Friday, November 20: Entries due to teachers
    • November 30 through December 4: HomeAid Hawaiʻi picks up entries from schools
    • January 2027: Artwork reviewed
    • Friday, February 5: Schools and families notified
    • 2027 Kauhale Kaiāloha gala: Winners announced 

  • Artwork will be reviewed based on the student's ideas, creativity, and connection to the theme, not on artistic ability.

    We encourage every student to dream big and share what a thriving future for Hawaiʻi could look like.

  • Winning entries will receive special recognition and will be announced at next year’s Kauhale Kaiāloha gala.

    Additional recognition details, gala, and participating school information will be shared as they become available.

  • Teachers and school representatives may contact Andy Arakaki, chief external affairs officer, with questions or to coordinate the collection and pickup of entries. 

    E: andy@homeaidhawaii.org