HONOLULU, HI – Lexus Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) announced the regional award recipients of the 2026 Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards, recognizing outstanding student artists in grades 7–12 from public, private, charter, and home schools across the state.
This year, 427 students representing 34 schools statewide earned regional recognition from more than 2,550 submissions. Award-winning entries were selected through a competitive review process by a panel of local artists and creative professionals, following national Scholastic Awards standards.
The Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards are part of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens, established in 1923. Regional Gold Key recipients advance to the national competition, where students may earn national medals, scholarships, and the opportunity to have their artwork exhibited in New York City.
“We were truly inspired by the depth, originality, and personal stories reflected in this year’s student artwork,” said Kamakani Konia, SFCA Art in Public Places Program Director and State Art Museum Director. “The Scholastic Art Awards are an opportunity to honor their work while affirming the value of arts education in shaping confident, expressive, and engaged young people.”
Lexus Hawaiʻi Honors 20 Students with the Takumi Award
As part of its continued commitment to arts education and community in Hawaiʻi, Lexus Hawaiʻi presented the Takumi Award to 20 students statewide. Inspired by Lexus’ Takumi philosophy of mastery, patience, and dedication to craft, the award honors student artists whose work demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and creative discipline. Each recipient received a $200 cash prize.
In addition, Lexus Hawaiʻi will recognize up to two Hawaiʻi students with the Visionary Award following the announcement of national Scholastic Art Award winners later this year. Each Visionary Award includes a $4,000 scholarship for the student and a $4,000 grant for the student’s school art program, supporting continued access to arts education.
“Supporting arts education and Hawaiʻi’s youth is central to our commitment to our community,” said Lance Ichimura, Senior Vice President of Lexus Hawaiʻi. “Through our partnership with SFCA, we are proud to help students express their creativity, build confidence, and discover their voice.”
Exhibition at Capitol Modern
A total of 163 Gold Key artworks will be exhibited at Capitol Modern Hawaiʻi State Art Museum in downtown Honolulu from February 20 through March 21, 2026.
Regional recognition was awarded across 20 categories, including Architecture & Industrial Design, Comic Art, Fashion, Painting, and more.
To learn more about the 2026 Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards winners or view the full exhibition catalog, visit the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts at https://sfca.hawaii.gov.
About the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
The Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), a government agency administratively attached to the Department of Accounting and General Services (Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Chapter 9), was established by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 1965 to promote, perpetuate, preserve, and encourage culture and the arts, history, and the humanities as central to the quality of life of the people of Hawaiʻi. SFCA funding is provided by the state of Hawaiʻi and the National Endowment for the Arts.
About Lexus Hawaiʻi
Lexus Hawaiʻi is a distribution subsidiary of Servco Pacific Inc., Hawaiʻi’s largest privately held company founded in 1919. Lexus Hawaiʻi has been Hawaiʻi’s distributor for Lexus vehicles since 1990, with two dealership locations statewide: Servco Lexus Honolulu and Servco Lexus Maui. For more information about Lexus Hawaiʻi, visit www.servcolexus.com.