STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

NADINE Y. ANDO
DIRECTOR KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

BUSINESS REGISTRATION DIVISION
TY Y. NOHARA
COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2026

HONOLULU — The state of Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, and Hawaiʻi Credit Union League (HCUL), announces that the team from ‘Iolani School is the winner of the annual Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts State Competition, conducted today at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.

The competition tests students on their knowledge of personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology, as well as consumer rights and responsibilities. Following the preliminary online portion of the competition, top scoring teams from Kalani, ‘Iolani and Waipahu High Schools were invited to compete in today’s in-person competition, where they tested their skills through a “speed smarts” activity and game show-style buzzer rounds.

‘Iolani School will go on to represent Hawaiʻi at the National LifeSmarts Competition in Orlando, Florida, from April 15 – 18, 2026. Members of the team are: James Chen (team captain), Donovan Kwan, Dominic Nakama, Henry Li, and Inseo Kim. The team was coached by Kit U Wong.

“Congratulations to ‘Iolani School who will represent Hawaiʻi at the National Competition in Orlando,” said DCCA Deputy Director Dean Hazama. “Through the LifeSmarts program, students gain critical life skills that prepare them for adulthood and we are proud to have been a sponsor of this statewide program for more than 20 years. Mahalo to our staff, volunteers and community partners for their generous contributions toward another successful year of Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts.”

2026 Hawaiʻi State Competition Community Supporters include:
• Accenture
• Beachside Roofing
• Big Island Federal Credit Union
• Cisco
• Coastal Construction Company Inc.
• Farmers Hawaiʻi
• Hawaiʻi Community Federal Credit Union
• Hawaiʻi Credit Union League
• Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA)
• Hawaiʻi Information Service
• Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union
• HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union Foundation
• Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA)
• Kualoa Ranch Hawaiʻi Inc.
• Pacxa
• Pacific Point
• Pearl Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union

Visit www.LifeSmartsHawaii.com for more information.

LINK: MEDIA

LifeSmarts is a national consumer education program that prepares students to enter the real world as smart consumers by teaching them the skills needed to succeed in today’s global marketplace. The program is run by the National Consumers League and sponsored locally by the DCCA Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Credit Union League.

Media Contact:
William Nhieu
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaiʻi
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 808-586-7582