×

Oahu school graduate crowned 2022 youth poet laureate at MACC

Kalehua Fung holds the award for 2022 youth poet laureate after an evening of performances by 13 finalists at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Saturday. BRYAN BERKOWITZ photo

The Maui News

An Oahu public charter school graduate was named the state’s 2022 youth poet laureate during a ceremony at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Saturday night.

Kalehua Fung, a recent graduate of Halau Ku Mana New Century Public Charter School, earned the title after a night of performances by 13 youth poet finalists from throughout the state.

Founded in 2008 by Urban Word, the National Youth Poet Laureate Program identifies and celebrates young poets who exhibit a commitment to artistic excellence, civic engagement, youth leadership and social justice, according to a news release from the MACC on Monday.

The first youth poet laureate in Hawaii, Lua Bowman, was crowned in 2021.

MIKAELA COOPER – Junior laureate participant

“Hawaii’s second youth poet laureate ceremony marks the continuation of an important moment in history for the MACC and the state of Hawaii,” said MACC Education Director Moira Pirsch. “The poems and stories shared in the event show us the great diversity and power of Hawaii’s youth — to tell us who they are, what is important to them and where we all need to turn to address our community’s greatest challenges.”

Finalists in the program ranged in age from 10 to 18. The events top five finalists, in addition to Fung, were Kealoha Comcowich, Lyric Kensington Ono, Miya Peterson and Nicole Dao, all students of Punahou School on Oahu.

Mikaela Cooper of Maui’s Lokelani Middle School was a junior laureate participant.

The event was streamed free on the MACC’s website at mauiarts.org, as well as on the MACC’s Facebook and YouTube pages. It is still available for viewing online.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
     
Support Local Journalism on Maui

Only $99/year

Subscribe Today