2024 Nā Leo Youth Media Challenge

On Saturday, May 18, Nā Leo TV celebrated the creativity and talent of Hawai‘i Island youth during its inaugural Youth Media Challenge awards ceremony, held at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo. The initiative, which saw the participation of more than 250 youth aged 11-24 and 24 schools, marks a significant milestone in promoting youth engagement and content creation on the island.

“We are inspired by the stories and ideas our youth have shared and are thrilled by the overwhelming response to this challenge,” said Ashley Kierkiewicz, President & CEO of Nā Leo TV. “We are already planning for next year’s challenge to be even bigger and better. Given the fantastic participation, we will work with schools over the summer to invest in equipment for media labs, enabling youth to continue their content creation journey.”

The awards ceremony was a vibrant affair, emceed by popular radio personality Ku‘ehu Mauga. Attendees enjoyed a lively lunch hour with music by Positive Motion, further adding to the festive atmosphere.


Keynote speaker Lacy Deniz, a former Hawai‘i News Now reporter and native of Hawai‘i Island, delivered an inspiring address. Deniz emphasized the value of perseverance and dedication, encouraging youth to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles. Attendees also heard from Derek Kurisu, host of the popular island TV show “Living in Paradise” about the opportunity youth have to be lifelong storytellers.


Each participant received a swag bag with an exclusive commemorative t-shirt, achievement certificate, hydroflask, stickers, pens, and a notebook. Winners received a medal, certificate, and one of many prizes totaling nearly $20,000. The prizes included Insta360 cameras, GoPros, phone cages, gimbals, drawing monitors, Beats Studio Buds, Wacom Bamboo pens, selfie sticks, LED pix art displays, light panels, gaming and podcast microphones, ring light kits, portable lights, wireless mics, and phone cranes. 


Get ready for the next challenge, beginning October 2024.


2024 Nā Leo Youth Media Challenge Award Winners

Title Sponsor: KTA Super Stores – Support Local

  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Save our ‘ohana from the shadows

    Tristi Riveira, Waiākea High School

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  • Digital Art: Emerging Creators

    Harvesting Hope

    Luche Angeline Mardie Asuncion Ganot, UH Hilo

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  • Short Film: Junior Visionaries

    Hawai‘i Greens Freight Farms

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  • PSA: Junior Visionaries

    Supporting local

    Xavior Parayno, Ha‘aheo Elementary

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Lack of local produce

    Ciara Aparicio-Bill and Jakayla Castillo, Kealakehe High School

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Title Sponsor: Dept. of Water Supply – Water, Our Most Precious Resource

  • Digital Art: Junior Visionaries

    Ways we waste, and can save, water

    Tanisha Carvalho, Kea‘au Middle School

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  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    1 drop, 100 uses

    Desiree Bantol, Waiākea High School

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Water is valuable

    Naiya Bello-Schroeder, Hilo Intermediate School

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  • PSA: Emerging Creators

    From mauka to makai, let’s conserve water

    Sage Huston

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  • Short Film: Teen Trailblazers

    The last drop

    Solomon Highstein, Waiākea High School

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Hawai‘i Police Department – Community Safety

  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Don’t text and drive

    Sereina Libby, Honoka‘a High & Intermediate School

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    You have one chance

    Ethan Ng, Kiara Hamora, HeraKatherine Villegas, and Miliani Bunghanoy-Aiu, Kealakehe High School

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  • PSA: Emerging Creators

    Text 911

    Michael “Mikey” Evans

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  • Short Film: Junior Visionaries

    Toxic abusive friendships

    Mikayla Abran, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy

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  • Short Film: Teen Trailblazers

    Cardboard friendship

    Janeea Bonoan, Angelica Bivings, Nyori Soriano, Alexus Bivings, and Kamamalu Kauwe, Ka‘ū High School

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  • Short Film: Emerging Creators

    Move over

    Michael “Mikey” Evans

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Rotary Clubs of Hilo, South Hilo, and Hilo Bay – Creating Peace

  • Digital Art: Junior Visionaries

    Creating peace

    Iwalani Albert, Kea‘au Middle School

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  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Embracing differences, building peace

    Ros Haleyah Mari Ascuncion Ganot, Pāhoa High & Intermediate School

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  • PSA: Junior Visionaries

    We need peace

    Arthur “Pato” Cuahuizo Eggerth, Anthony Mangano, Keamalu Arruda Parsons, and Makoa Paikuli, Nā Wai Ola PCS

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  • Short Film: Junior Visionaries

    Beyond the fence line

    Ka‘ū High School

Hawaiian Telcom – Digital Equity

  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Think twice before you post

    Magdalena Madrid, Truedan White, and Dreyston Saltiban, Hilo High School

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Civil Defense Agency – Disaster Preparedness

  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Grab & Go: Safety in a Synch

    Cahara Stecher, Volcano School of Arts and Sciences

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Prepare now, you silly goose

    Riane Kealoha Emaymado, Hilo High School

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  • Short Film: Teen Trailblazers

    My friend, B.O.B.

    Caydn Corpuz, Waiākea High School

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Hawaiian Electric – Energy Resilience

  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Resilient Energy

    Quinn O’Farrell, Kea‘au Middle School

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Energy conservation

    Bennett Hill, Makani Loper, and Adrian Rivera Gallegos, West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy

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Hawai‘i Island Fentanyl Task Force – Fentanyl Awareness

  • Digital Art: Junior Visionaries

    Be aware

    Joshua Foronda, Kea‘au Middle School

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  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Fentanyl kills

    Haim Jeong, Kealakehe High School

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  • PSA: Junior Visionaries

    A killer in disguise

    Temple Conrad and Masamu Nakajima, Hilo Intermediate School

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Fentanyl attack

    Ceana Mae Agonoy and Jaxton Lindsey, West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy

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  • Short Film: Junior Visionaries

    Take care of yourself

    Anelaokalani Boyd, Cecelia Millan, Ayana McClintick, Lunakane Hoewa‘a Fontanilla, and Kawena Francisco, Nā Wai Ola PCS

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Hawai‘i Community FCU – Financial Literacy

  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Financial planning for young adults

    Keana Jade Subia, Maya Kaupu, Jansen Aaron Cabel, and Michael Angelo Juan, Kea‘au Middle School

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Time is money

    Isaiah Cho, Marlon Utrera, and Johnny Chun, Kealakehe High School

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  • PSA: Emerging Creators

    Illuminate your financial future

    Tevita Hala Latu, Hawai‘i Community College

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HOPE Services Hawai‘i – Homeless Awareness

  • Digital Art: Junior Visionaries

    Homeless Awareness

    Finley King, Kea‘au Middle School

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  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    The Chaos Within

    Anela Monell, Taveea Lincoln-Smith, Aiden Ruddle-Schenk, and Jonathan Horst, Makua Lani Christian Academy

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  • PSA: Junior Visionaries

    The service project

    Leonardo Giovannoni, Blayk Lott, and Makoa Lord-Alapai, Nā Wai Ola PCS

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Closer to looking beautiful

    Angeline Agaran, Kealakehe High School

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  • PSA: Emerging Creators

    Creating Change in our Community

    Sage Huston

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Division of Aquatic Resources – Ocean Preservation

  • Digital Art: Junior Visionaries

    Help Save Our Hawaiian Waters

    Alea Gibson

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  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Fish pono, fish right

    Waikiki Crabbe, Kamehameha Schools

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  • Digital Art: Emerging Creators

    Save the Mermaids

    Caylin Ziemelis

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  • PSA: Junior Visionaries

    Protecting our oceans

    Xavior Parayno, Ha‘aheo Elementary

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Protect our oceans, all in one motion

    Mei Kawakami and Duke Deguair, Kealakehe High School

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  • PSA: Emerging Creators

    The ocean’s future, in our hands

    Kamamalu Kauwe, Ka‘ū High School

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  • Short Film: Teen Trailblazers

    Screening our efforts

    June Wheeler, Kealakehe High School

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Hawai‘i Department of Transportation – Safe Transportation

  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Drive safely

    Nafanua Fatu, Kea‘au High School

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    End distracted driving

    Tyler Staub, Daysen Higa, and Auston Hocson, Waiākea High School

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  • Short Film: Teen Trailblazers

    Click it or ticket

    Koko Marquis, Branden Walden, Merwin Pagar, and Jordan Domingo, Kea‘au Middle School

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Hawai‘i Tourism Authority – Visit with Respect

  • Digital Art: Junior Visionaries

    A respectful tourist will

    Rylee Honda, Waiākea Intermediate School

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  • Digital Art: Teen Trailblazers

    Huaka‘i with Hōihi

    Miliani Bunghanoy-Aiu, Kealakehe High School

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  • PSA: Junior Visionaries

    When you touch the land of my people

    Tina Sumtsova, Abeka Academy

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  • PSA: Teen Trailblazers

    Leave it better than you found it

    Naiya Bello-Schroeder, Temple Conrad, and Liliana Randolph, Hilo Intermediate School

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  • Short Film: Emerging Creators

    Guardian

    Aiden Tyrin, Reef Kohara, Dakota Feliciano, and Mark Galeon

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