Tune In for YXC 2026 Broadcasts
Get ready to celebrate the incredible creativity, storytelling, and talent of Hawaiʻi’s youth at YXC 2026! Whether you’re cheering on a finalist, reliving your favorite moments, or discovering inspiring student work for the first time, we invite you to tune in to our upcoming broadcasts.
You can watch all programs on Channel 53 and if you’re on the go, you can also catch the broadcasts on the ʻŌlelo mobile app.
🏆 YXC 2026: Awards Show on ʻŌlelo53
- May 6, 2026 – 6:30 PM
- May 8, 2026 – 4:30 PM
- May 10, 2026 – 11:30 AM
- May 12, 2026 – 10:00 AM
🌟 YXC 2026: Winners Show on ʻŌlelo53
- April 11, 2026 – 10:00 AM
- April 12, 2026 – 10:30 PM
- April 14, 2026 – 4:30 PM
You can watch all the finalist videos anytime on our YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnr53rBAcZic2m7PP71wW-EazZgsOcAtf&si=JJpTGk4_p_Qd0E1w
Looking for more local programming? Explore everything you can watch on ʻŌlelo here: https://olelo.org/tune-in/
We extend a heartfelt mahalo to everyone who made YXC 2026 possible: our talented student participants, dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and generous sponsors. Your passion and commitment continue to make this program a powerful platform for youth voice and creativity across Hawaiʻi.
YXC 2026 Air Dates: Watch the Finalists, Winners, and Awards Show on ʻŌlelo 53
The 2026 ʻŌlelo Youth Xchange brings together some of the most powerful and creative student storytelling from across Hawaiʻi. If you are unable to attend in person, you can still experience the excitement from home.
All YXC 2026 programming will air on ʻŌlelo 53, featuring finalist showcases, the winners program, and the Spotlight Awards broadcast.
YXC 2026 Finalists Marathon
Get a first look at this year’s selected student work during the Finalists Marathon.
Also available on YouTube: Watch the full playlist
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnr53rBAcZic2m7PP71wW-EazZgsOcAtf
Air Dates:
- April 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
- April 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
- April 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM
- April 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM
YXC 2026 Winners Show
Watch the top projects from this year’s competition in the Winners Show.
Air Dates:
- April 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
- April 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM
- April 12, 2026 at 10:30 PM
- April 14, 2026 at 4:30 PM
YXC 2026 Spotlight Awards
Celebrate the students behind the work during the YXC 2026 Spotlight Awards.
Air Dates:
- May 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM
- May 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
- May 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM
- May 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM
How to Watch
All programs will air on ʻŌlelo 53. Viewers can tune in on cable or check local listings for additional streaming availability.
← Return to ʻŌlelo Youth Xchange 2026
Traveling to the 2026 ʻŌlelo Youth Xchange is now more convenient for schools coming from the neighbor islands.
Through a partnership between ʻŌlelo Community Media and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART), participating schools will receive complimentary Skyline rail passes, also known as HOLO cards. These passes provide an easy and flexible way for students and chaperones to travel to and from the event.
Arrival and Rail Experience
Participants will meet at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Skyline Station for a brief introduction to the rail system before departure.
Morning Schedule:
- 8:30 AM: Meet at Airport Skyline Station
- 9:00 AM: Depart on Skyline rail
- 9:30 AM: Arrive at Leeward Community College Station
- 10:00 AM: Bus departs for Hawaii Okinawa Center
- 10:20 AM: Arrive at Hawaii Okinawa Center
Schools that are unable to meet at the airport may join at the Leeward Community College Station to board the bus.
Using the HOLO Card
Each participant will receive a HOLO card that can be used for transportation throughout the day.
Once a rider taps in at a station, they have a two hour transfer window to reboard the rail at no additional cost. If more than two hours pass, a fare of three dollars will be required for the next ride.
Students are welcome to explore the rail system before or after the event. They may visit stations such as Pearlridge or Kualakai East Kapolei, spend time in those areas, and return within the two hour window to ride for free.
Return Schedule
Afternoon Schedule:
- 2:00 PM: Event concludes
- 2:30 PM: Bus departs Hawaii Okinawa Center
- Approximately 3:00 PM: Arrive at Leeward Community College Station
From there, schools may take the rail back to the airport or continue to other stations along the line.
Share Your Experience
Students and schools are encouraged to document their rail experience and share it on social media. Please tag HART and Honolulu transit platforms to help highlight this partnership and the student experience.
← Return to ʻŌlelo Youth Xchange 2026
Thanks to our partners at Alaska Hawaiian, outer island schools can take advantage of a special travel discount:
- Discount Code: ECMQ089
- Details: 10% off base fares on alaskaair.com for up to 7 travelers booked together in the same reservation.
- Booking Window: April 5, 2026 – April 11, 2026
The countdown is on! There is just one week left to submit your entry for YXC 2026.
The deadline to enter is February 27, and we’re excited to see the incredible creativity our youth media makers have been working on. Whether you’ve been developing a project for months or just put the finishing touches on your piece, now is the time to share your work.
YXC celebrates the voices, stories, and perspectives of Hawaiʻi’s young creators. This is your opportunity to showcase your talent, gain recognition, and be part of an inspiring community of storytellers.
Don’t wait until the last minute — submit your entry today!
👉 Enter now at: https://olelo.org/yxc2026
We can’t wait to see what you’ve created for YXC 2026!
ʻŌlelo Community Media is proud to announce the upcoming Youth Xchange (YXC) event, taking place on April 8 at 11:00 AM at the Hawaiʻi Okinawa Center in Waipahu.
Youth Xchange empowers students across Hawaiʻi to explore storytelling through media, encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression. This event brings together students, educators, families, and community members to celebrate the voices and accomplishments of youth participants.
The YXC event highlights the hard work students have put into their projects and recognizes the importance of youth perspectives in shaping Hawaiʻi’s media landscape.
We invite the community to join us in celebrating Hawaiʻi’s next generation of storytellers.
📅 April 8
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Hawaiʻi Okinawa Center, Waipahu
Following last week’s info session with the Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, the handouts referenced during the session are provided below for educator use.
Prevention Handout
A student-friendly overview of the Hawaiʻi Youth Video Contest with a focus on prevention themes discussed during the session.
👉 [Download the Prevention Handout (PDF)]
Prevention Resource Documents (All-in-One Packet)
A combined set of prevention resource documents referenced in the info session, designed to support deeper classroom discussion and project development.
👉 [Download the Prevention Resource Documents (PDF)]
Educator Training Handout
A training resource created specifically for educators and after-school instructors, outlining guidance, considerations, and best practices when supporting student projects.
👉 [Download the Educator Training Handout (PDF)]
← Back to YXC Educators Updates
← Back to YXC Educators Updates
The YXC upload portal has been fully updated and is now live. This update includes the addition of the four (4) sponsored categories, giving creators even more opportunities to submit their work.
The submission system is 100% open and fully operational, and we are now accepting entries across all categories. Whether you’re submitting for the first time or returning with new content, everything is in place to make the process smooth and accessible.
We encourage everyone to explore the updated portal and start uploading. We’re looking forward to reviewing your submissions and celebrating the amazing work from our community.
