Ben Chao took a trip to Japan in December 2010. The Temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto wasn’t all that impressed him.

He was taken aback by the harmony created by civilization coexisting with nature — how man-made temples can blend into their surroundings, each beautifying the other.

"Earth has sustained civilization for millennia, and we have always taken that for granted," the ‘Iolani School junior wrote in an essay. "In return, we have irresponsibly exhausted the resources of our only home."

Chao’s essay was one of five announced Tuesday as winners in a statewide student competition sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Hawaii Host Committee.

Other winners were:

» Alexander Bitter, senior, Waiakea High School.

» Matthew Matasci, senior, St. Anthony Junior/Senior High on Maui.

» Shane-Justin Nu’uhiwa, junior, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama campus.

» Zoe Sims, junior, Hawaii Preparatory Academy.

The five students have been invited to attend next month’s APEC CEO Summit, where they will hear from President Barack Obama and other world leaders. Each winner also received an iPad 2.

Students were asked to write an essay on the question, "Why is sustainability important to you, Hawaii and APEC?" They were instructed to address the state’s economic future and how sustainability relates to managing the needs of a growing economy in a socially responsible way.

The judges also selected 10 students to receive honorable mentions for their essays. These students will receive a $100 Apple gift card: Jake Belding, Sean Ching, Sophie Johnson and Sarah Tyler of Punahou; Evan Chinn and Tifany Yu of ‘Iolani; Aloe Corry of Honolulu Waldorf School; Ashley Fuerst of Kapolei; Kyle Jones of Konawaena; and Dan Ju of Kaiser.

Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz addressed the group of 14 students Tuesday at the state Capitol, urging them to "let this be the beginning of your efforts to help build a sustainable economy for Hawaii."

Jill Takasaki Canfield, one of the five essay judges, said she was impressed by the students’ level of understanding of a complex issue and their ability to not only write about it, but incorporate it into their lives.

"There was this sense of, ‘We are responsible, we are going to shape the future,’" Canfield said.