HONOLULU – The 17th annual ‘Olelo Youth Xchange Student Video Competition recently announced the 2020 finalists for the state’s oldest and largest contest of its type.

Over 900 submissions this year were created by elementary, middle and high school students who attend 71 public, charter and private schools statewide. Finalist videos are from all counties.

The 54 award winners will be announced Monday, May 11, with their prizes – high-definition Sony digital video cameras – delivered in-person at a later date.

The three special shows will be telecast on Channel 53 starting with the elementary awards show at 5:30 p.m. and followed by the middle school awards at 7 p.m.

High school awards will be presented starting at 8:30 p.m. That final show will also include the presentation of the Expert and Junior Expert categories.

The shows may also be viewed on the ‘Olelo Facebook page, ‘OleloNet at olelo.org/53 and through the new mobile app. They will be made available for viewing within 48 hours on ‘Olelo Video On-Demand Spectrum Channel 184 and Channel 1961 HD, as well as at olelo.org/olelonet.

Former Miss Universe Brook Lee will host all three shows alongside surprise guests from TV, movies and other entertainment forms, as well as Youth Xchange sponsors.

‘Olelo Youth Xchange was developed in 2003 to give island keiki a voice to tell stories in a variety of video formats and about subjects that are meaningful to them.

The finalist videos were selected based on subject impact and technical production. The judging panels included local news media, filmmaking professionals and, in the case of sponsored categories, subject experts.

Maui finalists include:

808 NO VAPE – “Want Some of This Smoke?” by Kamehameha Schools Maui;

CREATING PEACE – “Stop the Hate” by Maui High School;

FAMILY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PREPARE NOW – “Emergency Preparedness” by Baldwin High School;

FOREST INSPIRED – “Stop Invasive Species from Spreading” by Pomaika’i Elementary, and “If the Forest Could Speak…” by Kamehameha Schools Maui;

JUMP START YOUR DAY WITH A HEALTHY BREAKFAST – “Grab and Go Breakfast” by Lahaina Intermediate School;

MINI DOCUMENTARY – “Walking School Bus” by Pomaika’i Elementary, “Love Yourself” by Kamehameha Schools Maui, and “Supporting Your Local” by Kamehameha Schools Maui;

SHORT – “The Addiction” by Kamehameha Schools Maui;

STORM DRAIN DUMPING – “If You See It, Report It!” by Kamehameha Schools Maui;

THE VALUE OF WATER – “Water Conservation” by Lahaina Intermediate School;

TRAFFIC SAFETY – “On My Way” by Maui High School;

EXPERT – “The Show Must Go On” by Maui High School.

Since its inception, ‘Olelo Youth Xchange has awarded over 600 video cameras to schools throughout Hawaii.

This year, Youth Xchange videos compete in 18 categories.

The five broad categories include Mini-documentary, Public Service Announcement, Short, Expert and Junior Expert.

The 14 sponsored categories include 808 No Vape; Clean Energy; Commit to Be Fit; Creating Peace; Family Emergency Preparedness Prepare Now; Forest Inspired; Free Speech; Jump Start Your Day with a Healthy Breakfast; Magic of Community Engagement; Maka’ala Ka Kou: Safeguarding Our Schools; Preventing Bullying Together with Aloha; Storm Drain Dumping See It, Report It; The Value of Water; and Traffic Safety.

For more information, visit www.olelo.org/YXC.