Lahainaluna student artist Emaly Joy Pacil (center) stands with her artwork alongside her former teacher Diane Ige-Passion of Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School (left) and current art teacher Micah Kawaguchi-Ailetcher of Lahainaluna High School (right). Courtesy photo

The 2026 West Maui Student Art Show recently concluded a successful run at Lahainaluna High School’s Hale Na’auao, bringing together student artists, families, teachers and community members to celebrate young creative talent.

The exhibition featured artwork by students from Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School, King Kamehameha III Elementary School, Sacred Hearts School, Maui Preparatory Academy, HTA Lahaina, Lahaina Intermediate School and Lahainaluna High School.

Now in its fifth year, the student art show was made possible through support from the Lahaina Complex Education Foundation. Student awards were provided by Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center and Lahaina Arts Guild.

Organizers said the event also highlighted a large interdepartmental collaboration among local schools and across the Lahainaluna campus. The show included student-made gallery spaces, a runway showcase of wearable art from the Fashion Design program, live music by Paʻi ʻAi from Papa Hula o Lahainaluna and catering led by a senior in the Culinary Arts program.

Lahainaluna art teacher Micah Kawaguchi-Ailetcher explained that it can be a lot of work pulling everything together for the exhibition and the accompanying events, but she said it’s more than worth it.

“From the smallest (art show) we’ve had, from the very first one to now this one, it’s so rewarding,” Kawaguchi-Ailetcher said. “You can see the emotions and the joy the students take in their work, and all the work leading up to it. They really see the whole thing pay off, just like a big performance event or like with sports where you have the big game.”

Kawaguchi-Ailetcher recalled the history of the art show and how it’s adapted to circumstances over the last five years, while continuing to grow among the students and in the community.

“It’s become our main event,” Kawaguchi-Ailetcher said of the student artists, while adding that it couldn’t happen without the students who volunteer as well as support in the community.

Organizers thanked the Lahaina Complex Education Foundation, Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center and Lahaina Arts Guild for their support, as well as the teachers, administrators and community members who have helped keep the student art show going for five years.