Mauna Kea Coin Contest 2011

1st place: Amy DeSa (Hilo Intermediate School, grade 7)

Judge's Comments: Mauna Kea has many aspects – and this design shows them all, from the submerged portion to the universe above. It shows geology, biology, and astronomy, all part of the mountain. I like how Nature is the main theme. (Jon Lomberg)

2nd place: Brittany Cole (Kea‘au High School, grade 12)

Judge's Comments: This is a strong graphic design, at a professional level. Beautifully outlined people respecting the mountain. Creative lettering. (Jon Lomberg) 

Grades K-4

1st place: Glory Medeiros (E.B. De Silva Elementary School, grade 4)

Judge's Comments: This design shows the road leading up to Mauna Kea from Saddle Road to the VIS (Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station), the observatories, and stars over Mauna Kea. Good representation of the mountain. (James K. Pihana)

Very nice view of Maunakea and the observatories! The design works well for use on a coin. Great work! Simple and elegant form. (Shawn Laatsch)

2nd place: Sherly Acob (Honoka‘a Elementary School, grade 4)

Judge's Comments: This design has the coastline of Hilo with coconut trees, Mauna Kea summit with a snow cap, a telescope, observatory and good star constellations. (James K. Pihana)

Nice incorporation of sea to summit with cultural elements of Maui’s fish hook. Very good! It is an inspiring way to look at exploration. (Shawn Laatsch)

3rd place: Jamie Chun (E.B. De Silva Elementary School, grade 3)

Judge's Comments: This design has a young happy girl enjoying with her telescope on Mauna Kea at a stargazing session. Great to incorporate a student enjoying science and exploration! (James K. Pihana)

This design includes a student explorer of Mauna Kea along with the observatories and stars. Wonderful drawing! It has a nice theme, and it is great to see the happy smiling girl looking through her telescope! (Shawn Laatsch)

Grades 5-8

1st place: Hiwalani La‘a (Hilo Intermediate School, grade 8)

Judge's Comments: This design with a message to higher learning to the universal study of the stars is very important to the future generation. (James K. Pihana)

The message of this coin is excellent! It encourages students to continue learning and reach for the stars. The design is clear and very coin like. Exceptional work! (Shawn Laatsch)

2nd place: Jennalyne Bala (Waimea Middle School, grade 8)

Judge's Comments: The bold, but simple design captures the vision on the work of the observatories on Mauna Kea. (James K. Pihana)

Beautiful border, nice clean lines, and stylized design. Very nice work – very artistic! Accurate representations of observatories incorporated into stylistic elements. Wonderful work! (Shawn Laatsch)

3rd place: Amy DeSa (Hilo Intermediate School, grade 7)

Judge's Comments: This design depicts the Mauka (mountain), Makai (ocean), and Kalani (the heavens) – how the people of Hawai‘i and the world are good: stewards to ocean, land, and the skies above us. (James K. Pihana)

This design shows wonderful thought regarding “malama” to the land and sea. It connects Maunakea to life in Hawai‘i. The fish add a nice element to the design! Great work! (Shawn Laatsch)

Grades 9-12

1st place: Brittany Cole (Kea‘au High School, grade 12)

Judge's Comments: Beautiful silhouette art work of a kane (man) and wahine (woman) honoring Mauna Kea. Excellent use of imagery! (James K. Pihana)

Wonderful use of cultural elements! Shows Hula and Conch shell with respect for Maunakea. The design is similar to a woodcut or silhouette, but has a modern look. This brings science and cultural together! (Shawn Laatsch)

2nd place: Jesse Graf (Kea‘au High School, grade 12)

Judge's Comments: This design places the observatory at the wekiu (summit) and lower plateau from the thirteen-thousand elevation facing Hilo. Very unique design! (James K. Pihana)

An interesting visualization of the summit combined with the Milky Way / starry pattern made this one really jump out as a top consideration. It has great detail and style! (Shawn Laatsch)

3rd place: Trenton Jardine (Kea‘au High School, grade 12)

Judge's Comments: This design shows the observatory in a very determined mode to work on discovery of the stars and deep space of our Universe. Very nice representation of Gemini Observatory! (James K. Pihana)

Simple, clean and elegant design! It has good detail of the Gemini Telescope structure with simple lines that would work well on a coin. (Shawn Laatsch)