Iolani School has emerged as the winner of the 2025 Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts State Competition, as announced by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, along with the Hawaiʻi Credit Union League (HCUL). The event took place at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.
The competition challenges students on topics such as personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology, and consumer rights and responsibilities. After a preliminary online segment, teams from Kalani, Iolani, and Waipahu High Schools were selected to participate in an in-person contest that included a "speed smarts" activity and game show-style buzzer rounds.
Iolani School will represent Hawaiʻi at the National LifeSmarts Competition scheduled to occur in Chicago, Illinois from April 24 to April 27, 2025. The team consists of Kevin Fleming (team captain), Jeremy Choi, Cade McDevitt, Tyler Hijirida, and Ryan Chan. Kit U Wong coached them.
“Congratulations to Iolani School as it advances to the National Competition in Chicago,” said Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Director Nadine Ando. “The LifeSmarts program teaches our students practical, real-life skills that they will need as they enter adulthood, and we are proud to be a sponsor of this statewide program. Thank you to our staff, volunteers, and community partners for their generous contributions towards another successful year of Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts.”
For more details about the program or upcoming events visit www.LifeSmartsHawaii.com.