Amelia M., 5th grade, Ala Wai Elementary

Artist Statement: My picture shows a farm house that is closed. But the 'ulu tree's fruit is free. Our Pacific ancestors did not have closed farms. They grew and shared their food. 'Ulu means to grow, we need to look to our past and grow more 'ulu.

Azahrae F., 11th grade, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii, Kea‘au

Artist Statement: ‘Ulu's place in the past was important because it was a mea kanu that kept our people from starvation. ‘Ulu's place in the present is something that more people need to know about because of the amount of health factors that ‘ulu consists of. ‘Ulu's future will be extraordinary because the more people know and grow ‘ulu it will eventually return to feeding the people of this ‘āina just like it did years ago.

Cayden R., 2nd grade, Kona Pacific Public Charter School

Artist Statement: Upon our daily walks, Tutu and Papa use the time for identifying fruits and trees. And one of them was the ‘ulu tree, which I was asked to draw for the contest. It was brought here from the voyagers that came to live in the islands, who used it for food. It is one of the main staples of the Hawaiian culture. There are 40 varieties of ‘ulu currently being studied on the island of Maui. Some of the things being made with ‘ulu are cheesecake, chips and dips. In the future, we will see more creative ways to use the fruit and possibly even use of the leaves and trunks of the ‘ulu tree.

Hāwelelani C., 4th grade, Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i Campus

Artist Statement: I noticed that the leaf bract isn't a very recognized part of the ‘ulu. In the leaf bract is kind of like the protector of the small leaves, or mu‘o. Leaf Bracts have been used in hula. Dancers can adorn themselves with lei made of or with leaf bracts. I wanted to bring the fruit in because it is important for food. In the end, I see ‘ulu in the past, present and future.

Iwalani C., 5th grade, Kahakai Elementary School

Artist Statement: I think they will be used a lot in the future because it is one of the many fruits that grow on the island. This piece of artwork is about a girl named "Ulua". She is the most beautiful person in her village. One day in the past, when the sun was setting, she hiked to the top of her mountain to pick the ‘ULU fruit. When she was done, she stayed to watch the sunset that unleashed the inner beauty.

Kawaihua P., 1st grade, Paia Elementary

Artist Statement: I drew the ʻulu root on our farm that was in the ground. It started a new tree. Then it starts to ua (rain). Then it’s a baby tree and there is a pua (flower) and one baby ʻulu. Then it gets bigger and there’s lots of ʻulu. This has been happening for many years and I hope it will holomua (continue in the future).

Keahi D., Kindergarten, Ka ‘Umeke Kā‘eo

Artist Statement: ‘Ulu is a fun tree to have in my yard. I love to climb my ‘ulu tree and eat the yummy fruits. I know some mo‘olelo about the ‘ulu tree with the god Kū and the goddess Haumea. I love to hear the mo‘olelo and think about how special of a plant this is to Hawai‘i. I want more ‘ulu trees to be planted in Hawai‘i so people always have good food to eat.

Kirah W., 5th grade, Kanu o ka 'Āina Ka 'Ohā program

Artist Statement: I believe ‘ulu has been critical to Hawai‘i food sovereignty in the past, present and into our future. We are lucky to have an ‘ulu tree in our front yard which I drew. I love to sit underneath or climb up in the branches. The ripe ‘ulu makes yummy pancakes, and I love ‘ulu fries too. So ono ‘ulu!

Kirra W., 5th grade, Holualoa Elementary

Artist Statement: This painting is representing a hula dancer harvesting ‘Ulu for her ‘Ohana & Kupuna. ‘Ulu will always be a staple in the Hawaiian culture. We are lucky to have them in our yards or can easily get them from a Farmers Market.

Lewis C., Kindergarten, Malamalama Waldorf School

Artist Statement: The ulu is just so pretty. I love to eat it in muffins and ulu chips. Also I like stories about ulu (gift of ku/tutu and the ulu tree) and all the beautiful things you can do with the tree and leaves (pattern, snowflakes, drums, surfboards, ant trap)

Lilah S., 12th grade, Waiākea High School

Artist Statement: My art depicts an ancient Hawaiian man giving ‘ulu to a modern Hawaiian woman as a gift for the people of Hawai‘i. ‘Ulu used to be an important staple of the Hawaiian people. Now, it is underutilized with few people understanding its nutritional value and cultural significance. In the future, I hope that we can return to some of our past practices and realize all the benefits ‘ulu has to offer Hawai‘i.

Lilly-Raj C., 2nd grade, Samuel M. Kamakau Charter School

Artist Statement: ‘A‘ohe ‘ulu e loa‘a I ka pōkole o ka lou. There is not success without preparation. This is an ‘ōlelo noe‘au that means that in order to succeed we need to prepare. One way to prepare is to plant ‘ulu. We can make lots of things with ‘ulu: hummus, poi, chips, and bread. We won't have empty store shelves if we grow ‘ulu we will have a lot of food.

Lydia Y., 1st grade, Ali'iolani Elementary

Artist Statement: In the past the Polynesians brought 'ulu to our island. They fed their community with local crops and 'ulu. My ancestors brought 'ulu (or thow) to their island as well. I think 'ulu has been forgotten a little bit. Now people are bringing it back by sharing the fruit from the trees with neighbors, planting more trees and making new recipes using 'ulu. In conclusion, breadfruit/'ulu/thow can help our islands be sustainable and healthier.

Mia K., 7th grade, Iao Intermediate School

Artist Statement: In the past I see ‘ulu being used a lot because it was growing everywhere. Right now I see ‘ulu not being used as much because of all the other foods that we have. In the future I see ‘ulu being used a lot because people are realizing how much health benefits it has and how it is grown locally.

Olive L., 2nd grade, Kona Pacific Public Charter School

Artist Statement: I think that it's a natural resource and it will be here for a long time. I hope.

Punakea M., 6th grade, Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u

Artist Statement: O ka‘u mana‘o ko‘iko‘i ka ‘ulu ma Hawai‘i no ka mea, he mea‘ai e hanai ai i ke kanaka. Hiki ke ‘ai i ka hua a hiki ke ho‘ohana i ke kumu no ka hana ‘ana i ke ai a i ‘ole hana i na pahu e ho‘ookani ai.