The lights, the cheers, and the high-energy red carpet gala — it’s the moment our video students work toward all year. The ‘Ōlelo Youth Xchange (YXC) isn’t just a competition; it’s the culmination of months spent in and outside the classroom scripting, shooting, and meticulously editing masterpieces.
HTA made a strong showing at this year’s event.
• Kīhei sophomore Cody O took home the top prize in the Narrative category for his film, “The Lighthouse.”
• Līhu‘e junior Kaylee L was a finalist in the Informational category with “Nēnē: He Leo Nō Ka ʻĀina.”
• Waipahu senior Xyandri O was a finalist in the Expert Mini-Documentary category with “For the First Time.” To be named a finalist in the expert category is a major achievement, reflecting months of hard work and a deep commitment to the craft. Xyandri’s documentary offers a moving portrait of her brother, Xavier, and his resilience through childhood cancer. Fittingly, Xavier was the keynote speaker for HTA’s Class of 2023.
Eight HTA students also worked on the production crew that streamed YXC live on ‘Olelo Channel 53.
One of the standout moments of the night was Cody O taking home the win. A sophomore on our Kīhei campus, Cody developed his skills through Ms. Morita’s virtual Video 1 class, transforming a personal art project into an award-winning narrative.
Cody’s art style is heavily influenced by YouTube creators like Dead Sound and Neytirix. Film is the ultimate vessel for world-building, he says.
“One thing I love about making films is that it allows me to create my stories, especially in animation, which allows me to do even crazier ideas — like a huge robot on an island.”
His film, “The Lighthouse,” follows a man grappling with profound loss who seeks out a distant, fog-shrouded robot to ask a singular, human question: How do you deal with being alone? Interestingly, the film grew out of a single piece of artwork Cody had created months prior.
Cody invested a staggering amount of time into his craft: more than 125 hours of drawing and animation and 24 hours of editing, sound effects, and voice acting. The biggest hurdle? The memory sequences. Cody originally planned complex movements — like a character jumping into a hug — but had to pivot and adapt when the technical animation proved too challenging. It’s a lesson every great filmmaker learns: innovation often comes from limitation.
This was Cody’s first time at YXC, which he describes as a mix of inspiration and high-stakes nerves. With a win under his belt and a clear passion for the medium, Cody has his sights set on a career in the field.
Congratulations to Cody, Kaylee, Xyandri, and all our ‘Ōlelo Youth Xchange participants.
