Nine youths were recently named winners of the 2007 Leeward Young Artist Awards.

There were 48 finalists selected from more than 250 entries. They came from 17 participating Leeward O'ahu public schools from kindergarten through high school.

The program was developed in 1994 by Kapolei Property Development's former parent company, the Estate of James Campbell, to promote confidence and ambition among young artists in the community.

The winners' pieces are being framed professionally and will be displayed in the James Campbell Building in Kapolei during the next year.

The winners are: Hokulani Hokama-Ke'alohi (2nd grade), Nanakuli Elementary; Cherie-Noelle Kaanana (4th), Wai'au Elementary; Renee Lum (7th), Highlands Intermediate; Bryson Estabillo (8th), Kapolei Middle; Richard Barbasa (12th), James Campbell High; Travis Kumano (12th), Pearl City High; Wallace Voeks III (12th), Pearl City High; DayLin Guieb (12th), Waipahu High; and Mike Poscablo (12th), Waipahu High, who had two winning entries.