Three University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa teams were among nine honored as winners of the 10th Annual Hawaiʻi Annual Code Challenge (HACC), held on November 22 at UH West Oʻahu.
The event, organized by UH and the Hawaiʻi Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS), brought together students, amateurs and professionals to develop solutions for real government and community needs.
College division winners:
- OPEN TO WORK (UH Mānoa), led by Junle Yan, for the ETS Project Review App
- Nintendo DS (UH Mānoa), led by Samantha Limon, for UH Pathfinder AI
- 3 Lil Minions (UH Mānoa), led by Lionel Derrick Roxas, for Department of Human Resources Development’s AI Screener
Finalists presented projects addressing four challenges from UH and state partner agencies: an UH screening tool for job applicants, a standardized IT project review platform, UH’s HR Navigator and UH Pathfinder AI.
Nearly 120 attendees watched teams showcase applications focused on improving hiring processes, modernizing government tech systems and helping students navigate academic and career pathways. A total of $18,000 in prizes was awarded across high school, college and professional divisions.
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke praised participants for applying creativity to issues that affect Hawaiʻi residents daily, emphasizing the challenge’s role in inspiring the next generation of innovators.
“Over the past 10 years, the HACC has shown how creativity and technology can directly improve the lives of Hawaiʻi’s people,” Luke said. “Seeing these students and young professionals tackle real government challenges gives me tremendous hope for the future. Their ideas, energy and dedication will help build a stronger, more innovative Hawaiʻi.”
