Creative Expressions is an annual contest to showcase student talent and creativity. The Office of Honor invites all students who are enrolled for Fall 2025 semester to participate. The theme for Creative Expressions 2025 is "Hiki Mai E Na Pua" which is based on a Hawaiian chant written by Cy Bridges specifically for Brigham Young University–Hawaii. All submissions need to represent the theme through their choice of the following categories: Art, Music Composition, and/or Creative Writing.
Important Dates:
- Submissions Open: July 1, 2025
- Submission Deadline: October 24, 2025, 5:00 pm
- Award and Showcase Ceremony: November 12, 2025, 7:00 pm
Prizes For Each Category:
- 1st Place: $300
- 2nd Place: $200
- 3rd Place: $100
General Rules:
- The competition is open to BYU–Hawaii students enrolled in the Fall 2025 Semester only.
- All entries must be submitted by October 3rd, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Participants can submit entries in one or more sections (musical composition, art, and creative writing).
- All submissions must reflect the theme, Hiki Mai E Na Pua.
- Participants agree to allow their work to be displayed or performed as part of the competition.
- All entries must uphold the principles and expectations of the Honor Code.
- The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is not allowed in creating or editing these creative pieces. All submissions will be screened for AI use and will result in automatic disqualification if a submission is found to be AI generated.
Musical Composition Rules
- Compositions must be original content.
- Compositions must be no longer than 3:00 minutes.
- Submissions should be in MP3 or WAV format.
- Include a written description and lyrics, if applicable.
- Compositions can be instrumental or include vocals.
- Participants may perform solo or with a group.
Art Rules
- Entries can be in any visual art medium, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital art, and more.
- Physical art pieces should not exceed 36 inches in any dimension.
- Digital submissions should be high-resolution images (minimum 300 dpi).
- Artwork must be ready for display (framed, mounted, or otherwise prepared for exhibition).
- Include a title and a brief description of the piece.
Creative Writing Rules
- Submissions must be typed, double-spaced, and in a readable font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt).
- Include a title, BYUH ID, and the author’s name on the cover page.
- All genres are accepted (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc.), but the work must align with the theme.
- The written piece should not exceed 700 words. This does not include the cover page.
Each category will have a designated judge who will score students' work based on the following criteria:
Musical Composition
| Relevance | 30 Points | Piece should be able to effectively convey messages that reflect the theme, Hiki Mai E Nā Pua. |
| Originality and Creativity | 25 Points | Music piece must be an original composition that is appealing to a BYU–Hawaii student audience. |
| Technical Skill | 20 Points | Musical composition must demonstrate creative use of melody, harmony, and rhythm. |
| Emotional Impact | 15 Points | The musical piece is engaging and moving for the audience. |
| Presentation | 10 Points | Music submission needs to be polished and professional. |
Art
| Relevance | 30 points | Piece must be able to effectively convey messages that reflect the theme, Hiki Mai E Nā Pua. Symbols and imagery used needs to be clear and meaningful in their relation to the theme. |
| Originality and Creativity | 25 points | Artwork must be unique, innovative, and must demonstrate originality. |
| Technical Skill | 20 Points | Artwork executed with technical proficiency in the chosen medium (painting, sculpture, digital art, textile, etc.) and elements of art (line, color, texture, form, etc.) used effectively. |
| Emotional Impact | 15 Points | Artwork evokes emotions related to theme and is engaging and thought provoking for the viewer. |
| Presentation | 10 Points | Artwork presented in a professional manner (framed, mounted, or displayed appropriately) and includes a brief artist description explaining the connection to the theme. |
Creative Writing
| Relevance | 30 Points | Piece must be able to effectively convey messages that reflect the theme, Hiki Mai E Nā Pua. |
| Originality and Creativity | 25 Points | Written piece must be original and innovative. Must demonstrate creative thinking and unique perspective. |
| Technical Skill | 20 Points | The piece is well-written, with proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The structure of the writing (plot, character development, dialogue, etc.) is strong and coherent. Piece does not exceed the 700 word limit. |
| Emotional Impact | 15 Points | Writing evokes emotions related to theme. It is engaging and memorable for the reader. |
| Presentation | 10 Points | Writing is presented in a professional manner (typed, double-spaced, APA format, with a title, and BYUH ID). It includes a brief written statement explaining the connection to the theme. |
By Kumu Hula, Cy Bridges
Historical Note: This mele ka'i, or chant, is meant to be used as a hula ka'i or an entrance hula performed at the beginning of a hula program. This chant can also be used as an oli kahea or a chant calling out to people and sharing the message written especially for the "Pioneers in the Pacific Celebration" held here at BYU–Hawaii on October 7 - 11, 1997.
Hiki Mai E Nā Pua chant
Hiki mai e nā pua i ka laʻi ē Come forth oh children in the calm | Na pua in the first verse refers to the students who participated in the [celebration]. Most were BYUH students, however there were quite a number of others from the community. It could represent all of our youth. “In the calm” identifies those who are members of the Church. La’ie was a place of refuge just as our families, church, communities, wards, stakes, schools or anything connected with the church should be in our lives. A place of refuge, with an element of healing and enlightenment where individuals can make positive changes in their lives. That would be “the calm” compared to the rest of the world. |
Ke piʻi aʻe la i ka mauna kiʻekiʻe And climb the high mountain | Strive for the summit. Keep your standards high. |
Haʻa mai nā kama me ka makua Dance forward with your Father | Ha’a is an archaic term for dance with bent knees. However, it also means to be humble, meek and unpretentious, which could be interpreted as having a broken heart and contrite spirit. |
He wehi pūlama aʻo ke kupuna A cherished adornment of the ancestors | The cherished adornment refers to the adornment of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This was embraced by ancestors who were the pioneers of the church in the Isles of the Sea. |
E kaʻi mai ana, e kaʻi mai ana Come forward, proceed forward | Ka’i also means to lead, direct, to lift up and another form of ka’i is huaka’i, a procession, journey or mission. As their mission in life continues, they would be a strong “ala-ka’i” or leaders. |
E hahai i ka leo o ka Haku ē Follow the voice/word of the Lord | Together, these lines mean to know Him and understand His teachings and His words. |
Source: Tying together past and present generations (Ke alaka'i article)
*Because the chant Hiki Mai E Nā Pua can be interpreted in diverse ways, we have added the following additional resources to help you throughout your creative process. Consider how the following resources might help guide or expand your understanding of the meaning behind the chant.
