Maui students win honors with UAV powered apps in 2025

High school students in Hawaiʻi are proving that drones, data, and software can work together to protect fragile ecosystems, after U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for her district through a series of surprise campus visits.

The annual competition drew nearly 13,900 student entries nationwide, placing Hawaiʻi’s winners among a very competitive field. This year’s projects stood out for their strong focus on conservation, environmental monitoring, and practical real world use of technology, including unmanned aerial vehicle imagery.

ʻIwa App uses UAV imagery to fight marine debris

At Le Jardin Academy, Rep. Tokuda surprised Michael Kai Hochart with the news that he earned top honors for his project, the ʻIwa App.

The app is designed to quickly identify derelict fishing nets using imagery captured by unmanned aerial vehicles, while also assisting with the on site execution of large scale marine debris removal operations in Papahānaumokuākea.

Ghost nets are a persistent threat in protected marine areas, where they can entangle wildlife and damage coral reefs over long periods of time.

By using UAV imagery to locate and classify these nets more efficiently, the students that created the ʻIwa App reduces the time and resources needed to find debris across vast and often remote ocean areas.

As the district’s first place winner, Hochart will be invited to the House of Code event in Washington, D.C., where Congressional App Challenge winners from across the country present their apps and meet lawmakers.

His project highlights how drone based data is becoming an essential tool not just for mapping and photography, but for active environmental protection.

ReefWatch turns reef health into shared data

On Maui, Rep. Tokuda visited King Kekaulike High School to surprise Chelsey Miguel, who placed second with her app ReefWatch. The platform allows users to document coral reef health, record observations, and update shared records that can support ongoing conservation efforts.

ReefWatch focuses on accessibility, making it easier for community members, students, and volunteers to contribute meaningful data about reef conditions.

In a state where coral reefs face pressure from climate change, pollution, and physical damage, tools that encourage consistent documentation can help researchers and conservation groups track changes over time.

While ReefWatch does not rely directly on drones, it complements aerial and underwater survey methods by adding human observations into the data mix, creating a broader picture of reef health across different locations.

KanuWise highlights native plants through technology

Also at Le Jardin Academy, Rep. Tokuda surprised Talei Ham with news of her third place finish for KanuWise. The app was developed in collaboration with Reese Reilly, a student at Mid Pacific Institute, who also received a campus visit as part of the announcement.

KanuWise helps users identify and learn about plants found throughout Hawaiʻi, combining education with environmental awareness. Although focused on land based ecosystems rather than aerial data, the app reflects the same conservation driven mindset seen across this year’s winning projects.

Rep. Tokuda praised all of the students involved, saying she was extremely inspired by their creativity and talent, and noting how they are demonstrating that technology can be a powerful tool for solving real world issues. She also extended thanks to the teachers, parents, and families who supported the students throughout the process.

DroneXL’s Take

What makes this year’s Congressional App Challenge winners especially interesting is how naturally drone technology fits into student built solutions.

The ʻIwa App shows UAV imagery being used as a practical, operational tool for marine debris removal, not just analysis after the fact, while ReefWatch and KanuWise demonstrate how software platforms can amplify conservation efforts even without hardware in hand.

Now this is a clear signal that the next generation already sees drones as part of a larger environmental toolkit, one where data, community input, and aerial perspective work together to protect ecosystems that cannot afford to be ignored.

Photo credit: Office of US Rep. Jill Tokuda