An exciting component of Hawaii’s Woodshow is the Innovation + Imagination (I+I) Student Challenge, initiated in 2017 to introduce students to the diverse world of Hawai‘i woods. Students are challenged to construct artwork using a mix of donated Hawai‘i-grown woods and other materials of their choice.
The I+I Student Challenge is coordinated by Steven Hill, IDSA, 3DLab Director at UH-Mānoa School of Architecture. The program exposes students to a hands-on experience of design and production and familiarizes them with the value of using locally sourced wood. Schools that have participated in the student challenge include UH-Mānoa School of Architecture, Brigham Young University–Hawaii, Maui and Kalani High Schools, Mid-Pacific Owl Robotics and Punahou School.
The 2022 Innovation + Imagination (I+I) Student Challenge was the 6th annual challenge.
2022 I+I STUDENT CHALLENGE AWARD WINNERS
FIRST PLACE High School
Kent Awards – Most Promising Young Artist
Olomana Team A: Piko
SECOND PLACE High School
Olomana Team B: Breakfast in Bed
THIRD PLACE High School
Jaelen Matsuda-Williams: Dumbo
FIRST PLACE College
Beau Nakamori: A Bird House
SECOND PLACE College
Beau Nakamori: Beaux
THIRD PLACE College
Kiana Dai: Where the Light Shines Through
Pu‘uhonua Society Ano of Excellence Award
Kiana Dai: Where the Light Shines Through
Monson Taiapa: Te Ara Tu- ha- ha-
Griffin Ward: Valley of Light
Sustainable local wood designs earn architecture students awards
The 2022 Hawaii’s Woodshow™, Na La‘au o Hawai‘i is the Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association’s (HFIA) 30th Anniversary woodworking exhibition. Attendees are treated to extraordinary heirloom-quality works made from interesting and beautiful Hawai‘i-grown woods. Hawaii’s Woodshow encourages an appreciation for the participating artists and the materials they use. The Woodshow promotes the positive role forests play in our economy and ecology. The 2022 Woodshow will run October 16th through October 30th at the beautiful Hawaii Opera Plaza.
UH Article: Architecture students sweep sustainable wood design awards
2021 Innovation + Imagination (I+I) Student Challenge
Hawaii’s Woodshow YouTube Channel
2020 Innovation + Imagination (I+I) Student Challenge

An exciting component of Hawaii’s Woodshow is the Innovation + Imagination (I+I) Student Challenge, a division that was initiated in 2017 to introduce students to the diverse world of Hawai‘i woods. Students are challenged to construct artwork using a mixture of donated Hawai‘i-grown wood and other materials of their choice.
The I+I Student Challenge is coordinated by Steven Hill, IDSA, the 3DLab Director at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, School of Architecture. The goal of the program is to expose students to a hands-on experience of design and production as well as familiarize them with the value of using locally sourced resources that will influence them in their future professions.
This year 24 students entered 18 pieces. Students were from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Architecture, Brigham Young University, Mid-Pacific Owl Robotics (Team) and Punahou School (Team).
Innovation + Imagination (I+I) Student Challenge Awards
High School – 1st Place – Kent Award*: Most Promising Young Artists
Mid-Pacific Owl Robotics (Team)… Kia’i – Ancient Hawaiian Battle Bot Protector
College – 1st Place – Kent Award*: Most Promising Young Artist
Beau Nakamori…The Overripe Banana
College – 2nd Place
Sarah Hyun…Kalamahalaikalani
College – 3rd Place
Beau Nakamori..Mini Mid-Century Modern Table
Honorable Mention
Beau Nakamori…BeauTie Bench
Pu’uhonua Society Encouraging Excellence Award
Samuel Mangakahia…Kākano
Spirit of the Show Award, Underwritten by C. Barton Potter Co.
Sarah Hyun…Kalamahalaikalani
* Kent Award underwritten by the Myra & Ron Kent Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation
Architecture students craft award-winning pieces using local wood
https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/11/02/students-winning-pieces-local-wood/#
Mid-Pacific robot project wins two major awards
https://www.midpac.edu/news/2020/11/mid-pacific-robot-wins-two-major-awards.php
An exciting component of Hawaii’s Woodshow is the Innovation + Imagination (I+I) Student Challenge, a division that was initiated in 2017 to introduce students to the diverse world of Hawai‘i woods. Students are challenged to construct artwork using a mixture of donated Hawai‘i-grown wood and other materials of their choice.
The Student Challenge is coordinated by Steven Hill, IDSA, the 3DLab Director at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, School of Architecture. The goal of the program is to expose students to a hands-on experience of design and production as well as familiarize them with the value of using locally sourced resources that will influence them in their future professions.
At the inaugural launch of I+I, 40 students participated from Moanalua High School and the University of Hawai‘i Mānoa Department of Art and Art History and the School of Architecture.
For the 2018 I+I Student Challenge, through donations from local wood suppliers, each student was provided with a similarly mixed bundle of locally-grown woods. Each student was challenged to construct a light sculpture. Students from ‘Iolani School, Moanalua School, and both the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa School of Architecture and Department of Art and Art History participated in the Challenge. This Challenge provided an opportunity for students to explore the process of working with Hawaii-grown woods. The student pieces were displayed at the Fishcake Gallery.

Mahalo to 2020 I+I Student Challenge Sponsors
2019 I+I Student Challenge

2019 I+I Brochure
2019 I+I Flyer
Mahalo to 2019 INNOVATION + IMAGINATION (I+I) Student Challenge Sponsors:
Hawai’i Tourism Authority Community Enrichment Program (CEP)
Paniolo Tonewoods
Forest Solutions
Mahalo to I+I In-kind Donors: Steven Hill; JP Damon; Kawena Wise; C. Barton Potter; Jorma Winkler, Winkler Woods; Craig Swedburg: Craig’s Creative Style