- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Lihue Today
By the People, for the People
Top Science Projects Advance to State Competition
Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fair selects 10 finalists to represent the island at the state fair
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fair showcased the work of over 180 students in grades 6-12, with 37 projects making it to the final round of judging. After a day of presentations and evaluations, 10 projects were selected to advance to the state science fair competition on Oahu, along with 4 alternates. The top projects covered a wide range of scientific disciplines, from analyzing tree fungi to using fractal geometry to identify 'super reefs'.
Why it matters
The Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fair provides an important platform for local students to showcase their scientific curiosity and problem-solving skills. Advancing to the state competition allows these young researchers to gain valuable experience and exposure, potentially leading to further opportunities in STEM fields. The event also highlights the strength of the island's science education programs and the next generation of scientific leaders emerging from Kauai.
The details
The 37 finalists were selected from an initial pool of over 150 research projects submitted by students across Kauai. The projects were evaluated by panels of judges and professionals, with the top 10 advancing to the state fair. Notable winners included Nathaniel Knickel's 'How Effective is a Homemade Hydrometer' in the Junior Division, and Drezdin Taylor's 'Analyzing the Mycorrhizae of Non-Native and Native Hawaiian Trees' in the Senior Division, which also earned several special awards.
- The Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fair took place on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
- The state science fair competition on Oahu is scheduled for later this year.
The players
Dan Matthews
The coordinator of the Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
Ron Morinishi
The president of the Kauai Student Research organization.
Nadine Nakamura
The Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives, who presented the winners of the senior division.
What they’re saying
“Science moves forward because people are willing to ask questions and challenge what they think they know. Today, we saw the next generation doing exactly that. I hope everyone leaves inspired to keep exploring, keep asking 'why,' and keep imagining what is possible.”
— Nadine Nakamura, Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives
“The judges were impressed by the relevance of your project and the impact its results could have on our island. Your methods and analysis were among the very best at our fair.”
— Nadine Nakamura, Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives
What’s next
The 10 finalists and 4 alternates from the Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fair will compete at the state science fair competition on Oahu later this year.
The takeaway
The Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fair showcases the scientific talent and curiosity of the island's students, with the top projects demonstrating the potential for these young researchers to make meaningful contributions to fields ranging from environmental science to materials engineering. The event underscores Kauai's commitment to nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders.
