Celebrating St. Joseph School Student Artists
January 23, 2026
Mahalo nui loa to the talented 5th-grade students and teachers of St. Joseph School for their outstanding participation in the SY25–26 Hilo–Shibukawa City Art Exchange Program.
This year, the program received 97 beautiful artworks from seven teachers across four participating schools—E.B. deSilva, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole, St. Joseph, and Waiākea Elementary. We are proud to recognize the St. Joseph School students whose artwork was selected for this international cultural exchange.
The selection committee was deeply impressed by how St. Joseph students brought this year’s theme to life:
“Our Island, Our Culture ~ through landscapes and daily life ~.”
Through color, creativity, and thoughtful detail, students captured the spirit of Hawaiʻi—its people, places, and everyday moments that make our island home so special.
Founded in 2018, the Hilo–Shibukawa City Art Exchange Program promotes cultural understanding through student art and continues to strengthen the long-standing friendship between Hilo and our sister city, Shibukawa City in Gunma, Japan.
All 97 original artworks, including those created by St. Joseph students, will be exhibited at the Hilo Aupuni Center during the 2026 Merrie Monarch Festival, alongside 50 student artworks from Shibukawa City.
Selected pieces will also be shared digitally and displayed at Shibukawa City Hall in Japan.
A list of selected St. Joseph School student artists is included, please join us in congratulating them on this wonderful achievement!
Lily Mead – From Mauka to Makai
Vanessa Van – Ka Nani o Hawaiʻi (The Beauty of Hawaiʻi)
Wan Qi Zheng – Koʻu Hawaiʻi
Upcoming Exhibition at the Aupuni Center
We will share confirmed dates for the Aupuni Center exhibition as soon as they are available so families can plan to attend and celebrate our student artists.
Congratulations to our St. Joseph student artists—we are so proud of you!
Go Cardinals!