Statewide Competition Aims to Cultivate Hawaii’s Young Talent

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A new statewide talent competition is set to give high school students in Hawaii a platform to reveal their artistic abilities while vying for cash and other prizes. Ty Tamagawa of Win the City LLC, alongside singer and actress Malia Aiello, discussed the goals of the Win the City Talent Competition on Hawaii News Now Sunrise. Tamagawa expressed the need for more emphasis on the arts, stating, “There’s a lot of gifted keiki in Hawaii, and we feel like the arts aren’t really prioritized as much as they should be.”

Selected contestants will participate in workshops and receive mentorship from established artists, preparing them for the main competition. Tamagawa explained that the initiative is designed not just as a contest, but as a supportive environment where participants can build confidence and receive constructive guidance. The application cutoff is set for November 4, with auditions scheduled for November 7 at Dreamhouse Kapolei, inviting students to apply online.