Hawaiʻi 4-H youth showcased their hard work and growing self-confidence at the 2026 Hawaiʻi State 4-H Livestock Show on July 11. Held during the Hawaiʻi State Farm Fair, the event put a spotlight on the program’s role in training the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Hawaiʻi 4-H is offered through the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补’蝉 ’s (CTAHR) Cooperative Extension team, helping young people build life skills to meet modern challenges. During the show, youth competitors evaluated and presented market hogs, goats, cows and steers that they raised throughout the season.
One of this year’s standout competitors was Nydia Robleto, a senior at James Campbell High School in ʻEwa Beach. After losing her first goat to the severe Kona Low storms earlier this year, Robleto persevered with support from the 4-H community and raised a new goat that went on to win first place in the goat show.
Robleto’s commitment to agriculture also extends into the classroom as part of CTAHR’s Summer Research Institute, which prepares young leaders to address critical challenges in food systems and environmental sustainability. She credits Hawaiʻi 4-H and CTAHR for fostering her personal growth and confidence.
“Honestly, it’s been amazing,” Robleto said. “There are many people who will always support your decisions, and if you feel like you could do it, then they will help you out.”
National judge caps 50-state quest
Adding to the excitement of the event, national livestock judge Ryan Rash served as the official judge for the show, capping off a historic personal milestone. Rash completed his lifelong dream of judging livestock in all 50 states during his appearance at the Hawaiʻi State Farm Fair.
He took great care to offer the young 4-H competitors candid and supportive evaluations of their animals’ appearance and performance.
“It has been quite the event to get here, and a very monumental achievement for me,” Rash said. “And so, very, very blessed to be able to get to do what I love and what I’m passionate about.”
The Hawaiʻi 4-H summer livestock season comes to a close on August 22 with the 4-H Horse State Show at Kualoa Ranch on 翱ʻ补丑耻’蝉 North Shore. To learn more about Hawaiʻi 4-H, contact Asia Broussard at asiab9@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-2255.