Student art contest takes aim at raising awareness about threat of invasive scarab

Young artists on Kaua‘i are invited to join the ranks of those on the front line of a conflct against a particularly perilous pest that threatens the island’s agriculture, native ecosystems and its very economy.

Kaua‘i County Office of Economic Development is hosting an art contest — open to all Garden Isle K-12 students — that takes aim at raising awareness about the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle through creative expression.

Students who enter should show in their submissions how the community can work together to stop the spread of the 6-legged scourge, bent on eating its way through the island’s coconut trees before targeting bananas, hala, taro, papaya and the endangered native Hawaiian palm loulu.

This battle isn’t just against an invasive species.

It’s a real conflict to stop what could be an extremely bleak and tragic future; one fraught with economic hardship, ecosystem devastation and irreparable damage to Native Hawaiian culture and heritage if the invasive insect were ever to get a foothold on the island.

Submissions for the youth art contest will be accepted from April 28 through May 19. Winners will be announced May 23.

Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third places in four categories:

• Students in grades K–2.
• Students in grades 3–5.
• Students in grades 6–8.
• High school students (grades 9–12).

Selected artwork will also be featured in future outreach materials and at community events to combat the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

“This contest is an exciting opportunity for keiki and teens to learn about the coconut rhinoceros beetle and become champions for our island,” said Office of Economic Development Agriculture Specialist Niki Kunioka-Volz. “Art is a powerful tool — it sparks curiosity, inspires action and gives voice to the next generation.”

Students can use any medium of their choice — including drawing, painting, digital art, collage and others — as long as the piece is their own original work and does not include imagery generated by artificial intelligence or copied.

“We can’t wait to see the creativity and heart our young artists bring to this important cause,” Kunioka-Volz said.

Click here to find contest guidelines and to submit an entry online.

Contact the Kaua‘i County Office of Economic Development at 808-241-4946 or via email oed@kauai.gov for any questions or additional information.