“Cultivating Care: Caring For Your Islands and Caring For Yourself” is the theme of this year’s fourth ‘Imi Pono: The Greatest Challenge contest for Maui County middle and high schoolers, with top entries winning cash prizes.
Applications are currently available for the contest open to public, private and homeschool students. The idea is for interested youth to apply for the contest, work on the project over the summer and submit their work by Aug. 30.
The Challenge requirements have been tweaked this year to include:
- 16 hours of volunteering.
- 1 to 2 page essay describing the experience.
- 1 to 3 minute video/PowerPoint presentation integrating the theme “Cultivating Care” with their volunteer and life experiences or positive mental health strategies employed when feeling stressed or down.
Cash awards will be presented to the first, second and third place winners in middle school (grades 6 to 8) and high school (grades 9 to 12) divisions. Winners will be announced Sept. 13.
Submissions may be dropped off with MEO Youth Services, 99 Mahalani St., Wailuku (second floor), weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or emailed to [email protected].
For an application and additional information go to https://forms.gle/CbpiEA7WZZeuyCBB9, call (808) 243-4315 or email [email protected].
The contest is the brainchild of Maui County Council Member Alice Lee and has featured the themes of the dangers of vaping in 2023, COVID-19 prevention in 2021, reimagining Maui County in its inaugural year in 2020. ‘Imi Pono means “to search for the right way.”
The ‘Imi Pono Challenge is sponsored by MEO’s Youth Services in partnership with the Maui Chamber of Commerce and the County of Maui.
MEO Youth Services Director Dane Ka‘ae speaks at the ‘Imi Pono: The Greatest Challenge awards dinner, held at MEO in Wailuku, on May 12, 2023.
