Kohala High School’s Environmental Science Class is this year’s winner for our Plastic Free Hawaiʻi Mural Contest. Titled “Steps to the Future,” the mural is composed of marine debris collected by four students at Pololū Beach. In just a few hours, they collected over 200 pounds of debris! The students wrote an article about plastic pollution in the Kohala Mountain News and their work to combat it, including presenting their research and ideas to the Hawaiʻi County Council. “Steps to a Better Future” is currently displayed at Takata Store, the largest retail store in Kohala. Congratulations to Kohala HS students Naomi Ney, Nicole Castillo, Maya Anderson, Zaz Matsu, and Duncan Anderson for your dedication and leadership to keep our oceans and beaches clean!

Jefferson Elementary received an honorable mention for their beautiful mural featuring marine wildlife. All students at the school worked with Artist in Residence Shannon McCarthy to create the mural while learning about the impacts of plastic pollution.

Other schools who submitted inspiring artwork for the contest are Sunset Beach Elementary, Pearl Harbor Elementary, Mokapu Elementary, Kailua Intermediate, St. Anthony Catholic, and Kawaiohaʻo Church Schools.