A Kaiser High School student who won Alaska Airlines’ Paint-the-Plane contest is expected to see his artwork displayed on one of the carrier’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft in late May during a ceremony at Hono­lulu Airport.

The design by Aaron Nee, a 16-year-old junior at Kaiser, displays a voyaging canoe depicting how Polynesians first arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, a bright yellow hibiscus representing the state flower, a map of the Hawaiian Islands chain and the phrase "Spirit of the Islands."

As the winner of the statewide contest, Nee received a trip for four to any of the carrier’s destinations and a $5,000 scholarship in addition to having the honor of having his design painted on one of Alaska’s aircraft.

"We’re taking his design and making it aircraft ready with his input," said Daniel Chun, regional manager of sales and community marketing in Hawaii for Alaska Airlines.

After the unveiling on the aircraft, the plane will be used for flights systemwide but primarily in Hawaii.

Nee’s design was selected from more than 2,700 submissions sent in by students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The contest was sponsored by Alaska Airlines, the state Department of Education and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.

The public participated in an online vote of three finalists. More than 7,000 votes were cast, with Nee’s submission receiving 4,013 votes. Nee was notified he had won the contest last month at school.

To view the winning and honorable-mention designs, visit www.alaskaair.com/hawaii.