"The arts express humanity's deepest needs and highest aspirations"

Photos

Washington, DC -- Congressman Neil Abercrombie joined other members of Congress in ceremonies today at the U.S. Capitol honoring the winners of the 2005 Congressional Arts Competition for high school students in their districts.

The winner for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District is Matthew Minaai of Mid-Pacific Institute, whose pastel drawing “Lucky Day” placed first in the Kaha Ki’i (An Artistic Discovery) competition.

Mr. Minaai and his teacher, Hanae Mills, where “Lucky Day” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.  

Matthew Minai said of “Lucky Day”: “I wanted to capture personal memories of fishing in Hawaii.  Ever since I can remember, my family and I would visit our relatives on the Big Island.  My Uncle Colin owns a seafood restaurant located within a forty acre pond which is connected to the ocean.  We always went fishing there to catch ulua.”

Abercrombie said: "The arts express humanity's deepest needs and highest aspirations. They inspire us with the human capacity to transform our vision of the universe and ourselves.  I'm proud to recognize these Hawaii students who have worked so hard to develop their abilities and become part of this great tradition.  Their teachers deserve our thanks for their commitment to nourishing the talents of our young people."

The contest was organized by the Congressional Arts Competition of Hawaii.  Corporate donors to the 2005 Kaha Ki’i include: Estate of James Campbell, AIG Hawaii, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Aloha Airlines , American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Continental Airlines, DFS Galleria, HMSA, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaiian Tug & Barge/Young Brothers, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, Horizon Lines, Jamba Juice, Matson Navigation Company, McDonald’s Restaurant of Hawaii, Inc., NCL America, NEXTEL Partners, Inc., NFL, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation , and Verizon Hawaii.

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