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Two Hawai‘i Readers Win Summer Reading Challenge Grand Prizes
Posted on: September 23, 2026 | Category: Spotlight
More than 25,000 Hawaiʻi readers took part in the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, logging more than 8.8 million minutes of reading and completing over 180,000 books. Among them, two readers will take home grand prizes of round-trip airline tickets to anywhere Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines fly domestically.
Grand Prize Winner Elliana Mowry
Elliana Mowry, an emerging reader from Kailua-Kona, logged 808 minutes of reading during the eight-week Challenge. She received four round-trip airline tickets for herself and her family.
“Her goal, since she found out about winning, is to read by herself, and she is doing so great!” said Sierra Mowry, Elliana’s mom. “This big life moment will solidify her love for reading. Thank you so much!”
Eden Bensadoun, a Kahului reader, received the first adult grand prize in the history of Hawaiʻi’s Summer Reading Challenge. Eden logged 16 books during this year’s Challenge and received two round-trip airline tickets.
“More than 25,000 people across Hawaiʻi made reading part of their summer, and together they read more than 180,000 books,” said State Librarian Stacey A. Aldrich. “Every one of those stories adds to our collective calabash of knowledge, imagination and possibility. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this summer of reading possible.”
Grand Prize Winner Eden Bensadoun
“For our keiki, reading opens the door to imagination, discovery and a lifetime of possibilities,” said Jacob Aki, Senior Public Affairs Manager at Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. “We are proud to support the Summer Reading Challenge. Reading reminds us that learning and discovery never stop, no matter our age,” he said.
“Instilling a love of reading from a young age can help set keiki on a path to lifelong learning and success,” said Nainoa Mau, Executive Director of the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi. “We never stop learning, exploring, and expanding our horizons, and our libraries offer a wealth of resources and opportunities for us to read, learn, and connect,” he added.
“We were blown away this year by how many of our patrons participated in the Summer Reading Challenge, which shows how involved our community is in our library and what we have to offer,” said Allison Holbrook, Branch Manager of the Kailua-Kona Public Library. “We are honored to be able to provide a special space where families, teens, adults, local partners, and visitors come together to enrich their lives through literacy and learning. Mahalo nui loa to all of our participants and volunteers who made this a fabulous summer!”
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, themed ʻUmeke Kāʻeo, meaning a calabash overflowing with abundance, took place June 1 through July 31. Readers of all ages chose to track either books completed or minutes read. Participants earned rewards and were entered into drawings for prizes provided by Summer Reading Challenge sponsors.
