HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Keiki around Oahu showcased their artistic talents by participating in the 2025 Mayor's Memorial Day Poster Contest and their creativity did not disappoint. More than 40 K-12 students from schools around the island participated in the contest led by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Kawaii Kon returns to Hawaii Convention Center for 20th anniversary Officials gave a special shoutout to Hōkūlani, Hanalani, ‘Ewa Makai Middle and Kailua Intermediate schools for their support and contributions to the contest. Thirteen keiki were recognized for their creative talents and will have their artwork featured on Memorial Day publications and posted within Kapolei Hale. The top three winners from each age category will be recognized by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Honolulu City Council and Councilmember Andria Tupola during an award ceremony in April. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You 1st Place Winners Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest K-2 1st place winner designed by Kalia Chow. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu)Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 3-5 1st place winner designed by Mia Manuguid. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu)Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 6-8 1st place winner designed by Chloe Yu. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu)Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 9-12 1st place winner designed by Ros Haleyah Mari Asuncion Ganot. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu) 2nd Place Winners Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 3-5 2nd place winner designed by Alanna Dinsdale. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu)Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 6-8 2nd place winner designed by Maya Butts. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu)Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 9-12 2nd place winner designed by Kayley Yu. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu) 3rd Place Winners Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 3-5 3rd place winner designed by Avery Nakanishi. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu)Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 6-8 3rd place winner designed by Abigail Uyesato. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu)Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 9-12 3rd place winner designed by Ashley Yu. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu) Honorable Mentions Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 3-5Honorable Mention designed by Camryn Idio. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu)Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 6-8 Honorable Mention designed by Lavalea Andrews. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu)Sew a Lei for Memorial Day poster contest 9-12 Honorable Mention designed by Julie Kang. (Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu) The contest kickstarts DPR's statewide initiative to sew and gather 38,000 lei for those buried at Pūowaina for Memorial Day. Pūowaina holds significant importance as it was designated the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific after the first Memorial Day Ceremony was hosted in 1949. Since then, the City committed to placing fresh lei on each of the 38,000 graves for service members who reside at the cemetery. Check out more news from around Hawaii DPR will begin lei sewing events the morning of Friday, May 23 with locations and times to be announced on the Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony website. ...read more read less