COURTESY PHOTO Keiki experience a Chinese lion dance up close and personal in Brent Wong's colorful photograph titled "Amazing Lion." Wong's piece took first place in Canon USA Hawaii's 10th annual amateur photo contest. This year's theme was "Cultures of Hawaii -- Celebrating the Diversity of Hawaii." Selected photographs are on display through April 27 at Canon Photo Gallery.

Capturing island life

After a decade, Canon USA Hawaii's annual amateur photo contest is still as popular as ever. Some 431 local photographers entered this year; the works of 30 were selected to hang on the walls of Canon's Photo Gallery, including five winning photographs.

The theme for 2006, "Cultures of Hawaii -- Celebrating Diversity of Hawaii," brought forth familiar images of what culture in Hawaii means to local folk.

The winning photographs were prime examples. A shot of youngsters enjoying a lion dance, by Brent Wong, took first place. The third place photo, of rubber slippers lined up outside a doorway, was taken by Alexandria Benedict.

Other riveting shots in the exhibit include a picturesque portrait of a kalo patch, a dramatic black-and-white shot of big-wave surfing and successful pig hunters returning home on a Honolulu freeway.

Winning photographers took home high-powered Canon digital cameras.

"Cultures of Hawaii" runs through April 27 at Canon Photo Gallery, 210 Ward Avenue, suite 200. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Call 522-5930 for more information.

COURTESY PHOTO "The Littlest Menehune," by Ulla Kreienbaum, won an honorable mention in Canon's contest.

COURTESY PHOTO A dancer's joy shines through in Dong Ha's "Japanese Performer." Ha took an honorable mention for the photograph.

COURTESY PHOTO "Slippahs on da Loose," by Alexandria Benedict. Benedict won third place.