Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee holds an annual Maunakea Coin Contest for all Big Island students in grades K to 12. Students are asked to make a drawing for a design that represents Maunakea, including different aspects like astronomy, natural resources, and Hawaiian culture.
This year, St. Joseph School had two winners!
4th grader, Sophia Hudak, placed second in the grades K-4 divison. Judges said her design is creative, originally showing Maunakea. It uses four sections with various aspects, like night skies, fish hook, and nature, within the outline of the Big Island of Hawai‘i.
Judges described 9th grader, Yuriy Russo's design as a brilliant drawing based on the King Kalākaua Silver Dollar! King Kalākaua was an astronomy enthusiast who brought a telescope to Hawai‘i. Constellations (Maui’s Fish Hook aka Scopious and Kaheiheionakeiki aka Orion) are drawn correctly. His design received second place honor in the grade 9-12 division and took second place overall.
The grand judge said, "I love the inspiration of old coins from Hawai‘i, with King Kalākaua's profile at the center, the motto of Hawai‘i at the top, and the date at the bottom. The design is simple but effective. Maunakea is suggested behind King Kalākaua, who was a protector of the Hawaiian culture and identity, but was also essential in the introduction of western astronomy in Hawai‘i. The constellations represented here are iconic, both for Polynesian star lines and western constellations, with on the right Kaheiheionakeiki (the Cat's Cradle), also known as Orion, in Kekaomakali‘i (the Bailer of Makali‘i), the winter star line, and on the left Kamakaunuiamaui (Maui's Fish Hook), also known as Scorpio, in Manaiakalani (The Fish hook of Maui), the summer star line. Finally, two plants represent the identity of the Hawaiian people, the taro plant and the ‘ōhi‘a lehua. Great job!"
Congratulations to both Sophia and Yuriy. You make St. Joseph proud!