HAWAIʻI Magazine’s Official Photo Contest Rules

HAWAIʻI Magazine’s Official Photo Contest Rules.

Please read the following rules carefully before entering HAWAIʻI Magazine’s 26th annual photo contest.

Eligibility & Entry Limits

Participants may submit up to ten (10) total entries, with no more than two (2) entries per category. Entries must be submitted in one of the following categories: Land, Ocean, People, Wildlife, Kīlauea and Student Submissions.

The Student Submissions category is open to currently enrolled students. Additional verification may be requested.

Photo Requirements

All submitted images must: 

• Be photographed in Hawaiʻi on or after January 1, 2025
• Meet a minimum resolution of 1800 x 1200 pixels
• Be submitted in one of the following formats: .jpg, .jpeg or .png
• Not be submitted in .tiff format

Contest Period

The contest begins upon announcement and closes at 11:59 p.m. HST on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Entries submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Original Work

All entries must be the original work of the participant. By entering, participants confirm they are the sole creator and copyright holder of each submitted image.

Rights & Usage

By entering the contest, participants grant HAWAIʻI Magazine a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, publish and display submitted images in print, digital and promotional materials, with appropriate credit to the photographer.

Content Guidelines

Photos must not contain unlawful, harmful or inappropriate content. Images that violate or infringe upon another person’s rights, including privacy and intellectual property rights, will be disqualified.

Judging & Selection

HAWAIʻI Magazine staff will review all eligible submissions and select a group of finalists. Finalists will then be presented to the public, and winners will be determined through audience voting. All decisions made by HAWAIʻI Magazine regarding finalist selection are final.

General Conditions

HAWAIʻI Magazine reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not comply with these rules or is deemed inappropriate. By entering, participants agree to abide by these official rules and all decisions made by the contest organizers.