Olanolan, Jones earn state Sight honors

HANALEI — The presentation of a $500 check elicited a strong reaction from Emily Blackburn Monday, but that paled compared to the announcement that followed.

Hanalei Elementary School Principal Corey Nakamura and Blackburn, the school’s counselor, accepted a $500 check from Caelica Covel, president of the North Shore Lions Club for the school’s art program.

“This is to help cover some of the out-of-pocket expenses art instructors experience,” said Sally Hopkins, coordinator of the Sight is Beautiful poster contest for the North Shore Lions. “We know it takes a lot to allow students to participate in art programs, and the North Shore Lions hope this contribution helps a little.”

The North Shore Lions presented the Hanalei School Sight is Beautiful winners for each grade, and were joined by Sandi Sterker, Shirl and Jim Whitfield of the East Kaua‘i Lions Club.

“We have something special today,” Sterker, the state coordinator for the Sight is Beautiful poster contest, said. “Hanalei School has two state winners.”

Wailana Olanolan, a kindergarten student, and Kalina Jones, a sixth-grader, were each presented checks for $100 for their first place entries in the statewide competition.

“Olanolan and Jones were both first place Kaua‘i District winners,” said Hopkins, who presented both students with a medal for earning top Kaua‘i District honors, plus a gift card from the Big Kmart store.

The state award of $100 is in addition to their winnings from the Kaua‘i District.

Students in each grade level were presented awards for first, second and third place. They also received gift cards from Hanalei Surf Co.

Sterker said that statewide there were 1,500 entries from 66 Lions Clubs.

The Sight is Beautiful poster contest is sponsored by District 50, Lions of Hawai‘i and is open to elementary school students.