Ho‘omaika‘i to our 2024 Winners!
SPARX Hawai‘i is a musical talent search throughout 4 Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa schools to platform budding artists and encourage them to create their own path in life.
The SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest is brought to you by ‘Aha Lamakū ‘Oia‘i‘o (ALO), a federal grant (Project No. S362A210096) administered by the Pacific Literacy Consortium, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
The 2024 winners got an all-expense paid trip to O‘ahu + receive an award and statewide recognition!
Nā Kumu Alakaʻi Pūlama
Stories of those who have created a unique path for themselves
The Wong Sisters - Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, and Overcomers
We introduce the Wong sisters — Rhema, Raina, and Rose. Despite a childhood marked by neglect, worry, and desperation, their perseverance paved a way for their entrepreneurial journeys. While the twins channeled their drive into a shared passion for sustainability, Rose discovered her talent in jewelry design. The three sisters transformed their struggles into success.
Katie Kunimoto Neste - Takedown Titan to Courtroom Tactician
A Castle High School graduate, Katie Kunimoto Neste was a trailblazer in women's wrestling. After discovering her passion for the sport, she learned to embrace success and persevere through failure. Her journey on the mat ultimately led to a successful career in law, inspiring others with her relentless drive and determination.
Finding Flavor: A Chef’s Recipe for Success and Self-Discovery
Chef Mark Noguchi, shares his own unique recipe for success and self discovery through his early struggles and how his connection with Hula helped prepare him for his eventual passion for cooking.
Dillon Quitugua - In Pursuit of the Pinnacle
A Campbell High School graduate, attempting to go from Ewa to Everest. Dillon Quitugua was a victim of child abuse, and is proof that no matter the cards you are dealt in life, you have control of your future. See how he was able to find his passion in life, through the struggles that were presented to him.
Kealoha - Follow Your Inner Fire
Dubbed the first Poet Laureate of Hawaiʻi, Kealoha is an internationally acclaimed poet and storyteller. Listen to his story and how he went from graduating from a top University studying Nuclear Engineering to completely changing his path and pursuing his true passion in life.
Jasper Wong - When Challenges Produce Passion
Jasper Wong is a brilliant artist in Hawaii and well-known throughout the world. Despite challenges he faced in the public school system, being raised by a single mother of 3 kids, and bouts of depression throughout childhood, he is now thriving and respected for his craft. Here is his story on how he found his passion.
Danny Keauhou Yamashiro | Every Person Has a Gift to Offer
Broken dreams and brain injuries opened a path for a new start. Find out how a traumatized boy survived falling 400-feet from the Pali and discovered his gifts to offer the world.
Kelis Kaleopaʻa | Be Happy and Let Life Play Out
Growing up in Waikīkī, Kelis found a love for surfing and the ocean. At a very young age she had to navigate through schooling and competitive surfing all at the same time. Hear her speak about her home, her mindset through it all, and why she chooses to do what she does and how she does it.
Lynell Bright | You Are Special Just The Way You Are
The youngest of 3 siblings, Lynell grew up under the shadow of her older sisters. As she got older she realized that she shouldn’t compare herself to others, and that she was different and unique in her own ways. Following her passion in music, she finds herself now teaching Music and Choir to kids at Kamehameha Schools.
Kimié Miner | Don’t Let Fear Overcome Your Passion
Meet our SPARX Hawai‘i poster girl, Kimié Miner, one of Hawai‘i Island’s own. Hear her inspirational story of how she got to the place she’s at in life and what she’s doing now to pay it forward.
Lacy Deniz | Be True to Yourself
Lacy is such an inspiration! ANOTHER one of Hawai‘i Island’s own, you just gotta hear her testimony of the journey to becoming one of the most sought after spokeswomen in the state!
Kamea Hadar | Life Isn’t a Straight Line
Meet another artist with a beautiful story of how he got to the incredible place he’s at in life–commissioned to do some of the greatest works of art in the world.
David Dunaway | Your Decisions Determine Your Destiny
You will be shocked to hear how much Dave has overcome in his lifetime. His story is one of bravery, determination and heart.
HO‘OMAIKA‘I TO THE 2024 WINNERS!
Keaʻau High - KC Kalili
Runner up: Jadelyn Marie SolmerinPāhoa High & Intermediate - Jada Thomas
Runner up: Judah Horn and Nohua Scott
Kaʻū High School - Kendall Calumpit, Kaileo Broadfoot, Emil Soriano
Runner up: Kamahao Alcoran
Keaʻau Middle - Paxtin Goodhue-Souza
Runner up: Kahlen Fujiyama
HO‘OMAIKA‘I TO THE 2023 WINNERS!
Keaʻau High - Jared Saludares
Runner up: Xiaoshun (Maria) SunPāhoa High & Intermediate - Mona Reis
Runner up: Satya Kadarusman
Kaʻū High School - Kendall Haddock
Runner up: Waylen, Mariano, and Lokepa
Keaʻau Middle - Christian Retundo
Runner up: Jayden Kaʻaihue and Jedi
HO‘OMAIKA‘I TO THE 2022 WINNERS!
Keaʻau High - Sawyer Becher
Runner up: Catherine Nishida and Madelyn SmithPāhoa High & Intermediate - Makanalei Kuamoʻo
Runner up: Satya Kadarusman
Kaʻū High School - Ceceta Carlend and Kellyne Jackson
Runner up: David Zachary Ramos
Keaʻau Middle - Lilia Ramos-Sayas, Colt Hill, and Kyler Montifalcon Rodrigues
Runner up: Jayden Kaʻaihue
What’s your spark? Is it music?
Do you shine at kanikapila times in your garage?
Do you love singing?
Do your friends and family ever tell you you have a good voice or you’re so good at playing that ‘ukulele?
Do you dream of being a big-time musician one day?
Do you dream of your TikTok going viral?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, this may be a great opportunity for you.
This is a fun vocal and instrumental talent search connecting promising singers and musicians in the Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa (KKP) area with an audience. We want to uplift the KKP community through the increased discovery of its talented musical artists.
What the SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest offers…
-
Exposure
In HISessions social networks, in order to share the talent of our contest winners to give them a public boost in their journey as artists on the music scene.
-
Access
With the assistance of facilitators in each of the 4 KKP Complex Area schools, contestants can upload a video featuring their vocal and/or instrumental skills and passion for music.
-
Experience
The SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest can be a rewarding project for all participants to experience growth, community and enrichment.
We might be looking for someone exactly like YOU.
Looking for that big break opportunity?
As musicians and business entrepreneurs we understand the advantages of finding new opportunities in the music business. Most music contests reward only a very small percentage of contestants, leaving everyone else with nothing to show for their creative effort.
The SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest is a distinctly different kind of music competition.
Community-Focused, School-Based: This contest is open to middle and high school students only within 4 KKP complex area schools. The support of the school and community is essential to the success of this contest. Teachers and administrators can help promote the contest, identify talent and encourage folks to enter. There will be technical assistance at each school for uploading video entries.
Fair and Limited Competition: Small pool of entrants. Amateur musicians only — no professionals allowed to enter.
More Chances To Win: 4 finalists will be selected from each of the 4 KKP schools, then from those finalists, 4 will be selected for the filming. This not only increases the odds of winning, it also ensures that each school is represented fairly.
NO Entry Fees: Unlike almost every other music competition, there is no fee to enter the SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest. We deliberately want singers and musicians from the KKP complex area schools to be able to enter, without any financial barrier. This effort is sponsored by the ʻAha Lamakū ʻOiaʻiʻo (ALO) grant.
Bottom Line: The SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest provides a rewarding experience for every musician who participates.