Tomy Takemura’s wreath depicting an octopus decorating a limu garland with fishing floats and a starfish captured the Mayor’s Holly Award and a $200 cash prize in the city’s 28th annual Holiday Wreath Contest.

"Everyone is filled with Christmas cheer, including the Hawaiian octopus," the Hono­lulu resident wrote on her entry form. "It is the perfect time of the year to show off her beloved array of glass fishing floats."

To make the wreath, titled "Spectacle with Tentacles," Take­mura used acrylic paint on fabric, hand-sewing and molding the tentacles into place with wire. "The seaweed is also cut, hand-sewn and molded," she said. "I painted the plastic ornaments and wove hemp string over them to resemble Japa­nese fishing floats."

Seventy-three entries were submitted in the adult, youth and "Blue Hawaiian Holidays" theme categories. Judging was done by three members of the Hono­lulu Commission on Culture and the Arts, based on creativity, craftsmanship and use of materials. The judges also honored additional favorites.

Here are the other winners:

» Adult: First place, Dawn Taka­mori, "Memories of Grandpa from His Workshop"; second, Taryn C. Ara­kaki, "Peace on Earth"; third, Phillippe Galicinao, "Ka Lei o ke Kai"; judges’ choice, Json N, "Elves"; and Marshall K. Fergerstrom, "CWMPV-2340."

» Youth: First place, Unity Church of Hawaii Clubhouse Kids, "Our Messages of Love"; second, Seagull School’s Ko Olina Classroom 4, "Holidays in the Deep Blue Sea"; third, Kawaiaha‘o Church School Papa Kalo, "Blue Hawaiian Christmas in Waikiki"; judges’ choice, Le Jardin Academy fifth-grade extended-day program, "Piece by Peace," and After School Art Studio, "Frogs of Kaneohe."

» Theme: First place, Sarah Tajima-Ueki and Blanche Chong, "Blue Hawaii"; second, Kamaile Academy PCS FSC Classroom, untitled; third, Leahi Hospital, "Kupuna Love"; judges’ choice, Gloriana Su’a, "Christmas Under the Hawaiian Blue Sea," and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School VACT Class, untitled.