Kang Ying Liu of St. Andrew's Priory won the top prize at the 53rd Hawai'i State Science and Engineering Fair held April 6 and 7 at the Hawai'i Convention Center.

Kelsi Watanabe of Mililani High School placed second in the event. Liu and Watanabe will be joined by students from across the state in the International Science and Engineering Fair, May 9-14, in San Jose, Calif.

Other winners are: Nolan Kamitaki, Waiakea High; Mali'o Kodis, Waiakea High; Issaca Hoglen, Kaua'i Intermediate and High; Megan Walsh, Kaua'i Intermediate and High; Genardine Arizala, Waipahu High; Amelia Harvey, Kamehameha School, Kapālama; Travis Le, Punahou School; team of Michael Flynn and Taylor Nakamura, Maui High.

The teachers of the year were Michael Sana, Waipahu High, and Nel Venzon, Mililani High.

The top division winners are:

Senior research: 1, Kang Ying Liu, St. Andrew's Priory; 2, Nolan Kamitaki, Wai-akea High; 3, Travis Le, Punahou School. Honorable mention: Mali'o Kodis, Wai-akea High; team of Megan Kurohara and Hanna Rojeski, Hilo High; team of Diana Cabral and Noelle Owen, St. Andrew's Priory.

Junior research: 1, Viola Mocz, Mililani Middle; 2, Kawena Warren, Waimea Canyon School; 3, Megan Goodman, Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Honorable mention: Rachel Tamashiro, St. Andrew's Priory; team of Sabrina Pike and Claire Evans, Kealakehe Intermediate; Kameron Ho Ching, Kahuku High and Intermediate.

Junior display: 1, Hallie Pound, St. Anthony Parish School; 2, team of Julia Taylor and Sophie Bender, Niu Valley Middle; 3, Nathan Revor, St. Anthony Parish School. Honorable mention: team of Naomi Tse and Dayne Okamura, High-lands Intermediate; Cameron Ray, Trinity Christian School; Trevor Tseu, Island Pacific Academy.