Maui winners in the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Competition gather for a photograph at the University of Hawaii-Maui Sunday. The students received a congratulatory certificate from Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and a limited edition poster of the double-hulled sailing canoe Hokule’a. The group included Gov. Josh Green’s representative Leon Bolosan and Maui Mayor Bissen’s representative Jade Rojas-Litisie. The Maui News/Gary Kubota

Eighth grade student Kaizan Munemitsu from Sacred Hearts School has been awarded the Maui Country grand prize in the 26th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Awards.

“We’re happy to receive work of this caliber from this young Maui poet,” said awards coordinator Melinda Gohn.

Gov. Josh Green’s Maui representative Leon Bolosan and Maui County Office of Economic Development Executive Assistant Jade Rojas-Letisi presented prizes to winners who recited their poems to the audience at the University of Hawaii-Maui on Sunday.

Munemitsu’s poem was selected from a field of over 340 entries. Munemitsu received a grand prize certificate issued by the governor and a painting about “Hope” and “Love” donated by Maui artist Davo.

Sacred Hearts School student Kaizan Munemitsu is the Maui County grand prize winner of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Competition. Munemitsu received an original painting from Maui Pop artist Davo and a congratulatory certificate from Gov. Josh Green. In the photograph are event coordinator Melinda Gohn, Gov. Green’s Maui representative Leon Bolosan, Munemitsu, poet/master of ceremonies Orron Kenyatta, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen’s representative Jade Rojas-Litisie, and artist/volunteer Ellen Lewinsky. The Maui News/Gary Kubota

Cassandra Coonradt from King Kamehameha III Elementary School was recognized with the Maui Dr. King Peacepoem Teacher of the Year award. Coonradt received a gubernatorial congratulatory certificate and a signed art print by Maui artist Joelle C.

Cassandra Coonradt from King Kamehameha III Elementary School was selected as the Maui Dr. King Peacepoem Teacher of the Year for her long-standing participation in the annual peace poetry contest. Coonradt received a certificate from Gov. Josh Green recognizing her work and a signed print from Maui artist Joelle C. The Maui News/Gary Kubota

The annual competition, sponsored by the Maui-based International Peace Poem Project, is meant to honor the civil rights leader who promoted nonviolent means to achieve social justice and equality.

Public and private Maui schools were invited to participate in the annual event. Golden Circle winners received certificates from Gov. Green.

Forty-nine winning students received certificates as finalists from Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and a limited edition commemorative poster featuring the double-hulled sailing canoe Hokule’a. The photograph of the Hokule’a was donated by photographer Na’alehu Anthony, the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Oiwi TV.