Two Big Island students were among 25 middle schoolers throughout the state to be selected as top winners for their poems and short stories at the annual “My Hawai’i” environmental writing contest.
Students from the sixth through eighth grades were eligible to participate in the contest, which was sponsored by the Pacific Writers’ Connection, the Hawai’i Conservation Alliance, and multiple Hawai’i conservation agencies and organizations.
Sofia Howard and William Wawner, both of Hawai’i Preparatory Academy, were each selected for their pieces “A Spider’s Web” and “The Point of No Return,” respectively.
All 25 stories of the anthology will be distributed to schools and libraries across the state.
“Planet at the Crossroads” was chosen as the theme, to align with the 2016 International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress that will be held in Honolulu in September.
The students’ writing represents personal reflections on the environment, cultural values, kuleana, stewardship, and place-based writing which contributes to youth literature that is unique to Hawai‘i.
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The My Hawai‘i Story contest provides an educational approach that develops interdisciplinary thinkers. Many of the stories and poems include knowledge from diverse backgrounds and provide good examples of successful collaborations that integrate traditional cultural values and contemporary life in Hawai‘i.
Since the contest began, 250 middle school students have had their stories and poems on the environment published. While academic testing provides a measure of content knowledge, creative writing can capture students’ thoughts, passions, beliefs, and values.
“We are very excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary of this highly successful and inspirational annual children’s writing contest with our haumana (students), the people of Hawai‘i, and with international world conservation leaders who will be gathering in Honolulu for the IUCN World Conservation Congress,” said Takiora Ingram, director of the Pacific Writers’ Connection and main driver of the writing contest. “The 2016 winners will have an opportunity to showcase their poems and stories at the Congress.”
The contest is co-sponsored by the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance, Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance Foundation, Hawai‘i Department of Education, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawai‘i Environmental Education Alliance National Park Service, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai‘i Office of Planning, Coastal Zone Management Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
The 2016 “My Hawaiʻi” writing contest winners are:
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Kaila Apo, Yearning to Be With Them Again, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Kalama Arquette, Kuʻu Hawaiʻi Aloha, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Draelee Cabinatan, The Monster in Humans, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Lexi Cowan, The Legend of Kaimana, Sacred Hearts Academy
Madison Enos, Following in the Footsteps of Our Kūpuna, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
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Pono Estores, Kulāiwi, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Levi Fisher, Whoosh, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Jordynn Haumea-Harding, He Koho Ka Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Sofia Howard, A Spider’s Web, Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy
Jason Huynh, Small Choices, Deadly Results, ʻĪao Intermediate School
Gabe Li, Ulu Pono Alu Like, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Pono Lupenui, Koʻu Honua: Your Earth, My Earth, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Shaylee Mahi, How About Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Alex Melemai, Restoration of Our Island Nation, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Taylor Moniz, Hope for Humanity, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
Joseph Paci, Everything to Its Proper Place, ʻIao Intermediate School
Onipaʻa Pung, LiFeStYlE, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School
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Two Big Island students were among 25 middle schoolers throughout the state to be selected as top winners for their poems and short stories at the annual “My Hawai’i” environmental writing contest.
