The “Maui Mikoshi Contest” is an event held for high school students on Maui Island.

On this day, the mikoshi designed by the students of King Kekaulike High School, the winners of this year’s contest, will be unveiled for the first time.

The Maui Mikoshi will be on display at the Hawaii Convention Center throughout the festival.

We have received a message from King Kekaulike High School, this year’s winning school, about the meaning behind their design!

==============
For our design we tried to depict how in the past and going to the future, from the mountain and the sea we are all together! Starting at the top, we chose to drape Maile lei because it has an underlying meaning of peace and harmony. Then we decided to pair that with Ti leaf which is known to be a symbol of great power. We chose this combination because we all have great power within ourselves and we can use that to bring a peaceful tomorrow.

Top of the Mikoshi : Humpback Whale

On the top of the Mikoshi we decided to put a humpback whale. This is because humpbacks are famous for migrating long distances in pods and this relates to human history especially in times of heavy immigration. We also thought a Humpback whale could represent how even one creature can remind us of how small we are. This is significant to us because by ourselves we may be small but by collaboration and cooperation we can make huge accomplishments.

Back Panel : A Plantation Field Representing the Past

For the back panel we wanted to capture the past, so we decided to go with a plantation field. Many things happened on the plantation fields, and many different people came to Hawaii hoping for a better life working on the plantations. Because of this there were many language barriers; but the people on the plantations soon founded “pigeon.” We thought that this was a great example of how the people in the past came together and learned how to communicate with each other for a brighter and peaceful tomorrow.

Front Panel : Beachscape Symbolizing the Future

The front panel we decided relates to the future since the back panel pertained to the past. So we went with a beach setting as that is a very popular place to watch sunsets. We thought that watching a sunset is like saying goodbye to the day you had and knowing that the sun will rise again. We also thought that adding different shoes on the beach adds to them by showing different “walks of life.” We see that many people prefer different footwear and that many people also find their way to the beach at some point in Hawaii. By adding little sea turtles in the art we wanted them to be symbols as the children and kind acts we leave in this world go out and spread onward to keep creating positivity.

Left Panel : Portray Symbols of Peace

For the left panel we wanted to portray symbols of peace that we may find in our environment and travels. The birds are a Dove and a Crane which are both symbols of prosperity and peace. Then we added Peonies, Poppies, Lotus’, and Daisies which in the language of flowers and different cultures can also mean peace. We also decided to feature the West Maui Mountains because we feel like they don’t get enough recognition on Maui.

Right Panel : Coexistence of different cultures

For the right side, we wanted to address different cultures directly. We thought that everyone rides the “waves of life” so we decided to depict that by strings of flags following a person on a surfboard would be a creative interpretation. Although not all the cultures found in Hawaii are on it, we know that in our hearts we appreciate them all the same. When people view them from the sides we want people to see from the mountain to the ocean together we carry peace all together.

Maui Mikoshi Unveiling Ceremony
[ Date ] March 8th (SAT) 2025 11am
[ Venue ] Hawaii Convention Center 1F

Maui Mikoshi Exhibit
[ Date ] March 8th (SAT) 2025 & March 8th (SUN) 2025
[ Venue ] Hawaii Convention Center 1F