The Pele Awards High School Division
Presented in Partnership with the Hawaii State Department of Education Career & Technical Education Department.
A Legacy of Excellence, Focused on the Future
The Pele Awards has proudly served as Hawaiʻi’s premier creative competition for over 40 years.
The High School Pele Awards was established in 2018 specifically to recognize and reward Creative Excellence in the art of Advertising and Design among all Hawaiʻi high school students.
The 2026 High School Pele Awards honors the Best in Design and Advertising for creative work done from January 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026.
This program is presented in partnership with the Hawaii State Department of Education Career & Technical Education Department, and encourages participation from public, private, charter, and home schools across the entire state of Hawai’i.
Your Chance to Win
Your entry will be reviewed and scored by a distinguished jury of Hawaiʻi’s own creative professionals—local leaders in design, video production, photography, and advertising—who recognize and value the quality of work produced right here in the islands.
Last year, we proudly received nearly 700 entries from high schools statewide. With a generous 34% of all entries being honored with either a Pele Gold, Silver, or Bronze Award, the opportunities for recognition are high.
BEST OF SHOW SCHOLARSHIP: The 2026 High School Best of Show Winner will be awarded a prestigious $10,000 Scholarship from Pele Gold Sponsor, Chaminade University of Honolulu, awarded as $2,500 per year for four consecutive years.
Calendar of Events
NOW through March 1, 2026 at 11:59pm HST
High School Call for Entries
March 9, 2026 at 4:00pm HST
Payment Deadline
*Educators: email PeleAwards@aafhawaii.com to make other arrangements for Purchase Orders, etc.
April 7, 2026
Finalists and Non-Finalists Announced on the official Pele Awards website
May 2, 2026
2026 High School Pele Award Winners Announced on the official Pele Awards website
Submissions will close on March 1, 2026 at 11:59pm HST
THE HIGH SCHOOL PELE AWARDS HONORS CREATIVE EXCELLENCE IN THE ART OF ADVERTISING AND DESIGN
The High School Pele Awards was established in 2018, to recognize and reward Creative Excellence in the art of Advertising and Design. The annual Pele Gold Sponsor will present a $10,000 a year, 4 year scholarship to Chaminade University of Honolulu.
The 2025-26 Call For Entry period will end March 1, 2026.
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