Hilo High students place second in annual Drive Aloha PSA contest

Hilo High School students took second place statewide in DTRIC Insurance’s second annual Drive Aloha PSA Video contest. Juniors Florelaine Gonzales, Ruth Eden Barlam, Rylee Ragasa and Mercy Northrop received $1,000 on behalf of their school.

First place was awarded to students on O‘ahu at Wai‘anae High School, receiving the grand prize of $2,000.

The students created a message answering the question: “What does Drive Aloha mean to you?”

The Hilo teens crafted a script emphasizing the importance of staying focused while driving, highlighting the potential consequences of letting emotions distract a driver while on the road.

“We concluded the video by encouraging drivers to prioritize safety and maintain concentration to ensure a safe journey,” the Big Island teens said.

Numerous entries were received from high schools across the state. To view the winning videos and other entries, visit www.dtric.com/2023-drive-aloha-psa-winners/.

“Congratulations to the students of Wai‘anae and Hilo High Schools for their exceptional entries,” said Taku Mitsueda, President and CEO of DTRIC Insurance. “Their videos addressed the importance of safety and highlighted the value of courtesy. We are inspired by the talent and dedication displayed by all of these young filmmakers in promoting the spirit of Drive Aloha.”

DTRIC Insurance launched the Drive Aloha initiative in August 2016 to educate and encourage drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists to practice safe and courteous behavior and create safer, friendlier roadways across our islands. Drive Aloha encourages people to take the safety pledge to be courteous drivers, embrace positive behaviors and practice the aloha spirit to make the road safer and friendlier for everyone.