Empowering Teachers. Inspiring Students. Building Community.
LŌKAHI extends heartfelt thank you to our partners who helped make the 2025-26 Ho'olōkahi Lyrics Writing Challenge possible.
Our finalists represent the incredible creativity that emerges when teachers are empowered with the right tools, artist connections, and community support. We celebrate student voice and teacher leadership by honoring the following schools
3rd Place: Wahiawā Elementary School - Wade Balidoy
Best New Comer Award: Alyssa Oshiro: Mauka Lani Elementary
Catchiest lyrics: Angela Sagisi: Queen Ka'ahumanu Elementary School
Best Ensemble Performance: Dagan Bernstein: Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Best Ukulele Performance: Emmanuel Hobro: Farrington High School
Most Inventive Lyrics: Freddie Dy, Jr.: Waimalu Elementary
Storytelling Award: Raina Wong: Webling Elementary School
Most Musical Lyrics: Taylor Deskin: Holualoa Elementary
Most Unique Lyrics: Zoviel Charles: Nimitz Elementary School
Ina Young: Saint Patrick School
Christine Wee: Mililani Mauka Elementary School
Watch the winning submissions and see how Lōkahi's teacher-centered approach creates authentic learning experiences.
The Aloha Jam
Learn the 2025-2026 Ho'olōkahi Challenge song "The Aloha Jam" featuring the winning verses from Kula Elementary School.
At our Play Along celebration, we honored both the incredible student performances and the dedicated teachers who empowered them.
Students took a special moment to share heartfelt words of gratitude for their teachers at the event.
Christine Wee - Mililani Mauka Elementary School
Alyssa Oshiro - Mauka Lani Elementary
Ina Young - St. Patrick School
Loved seeing what these students created?
The Hoʻolōkahi Challenge, and the music programs behind it, are made possible by donations from people like you. If this work moved you, consider supporting Lōkahi so even more students can write, play, and celebrate music in their schools.