Twenty-five students were selected as top winners in the annual “My Hawai‘i” environmental writing contest sponsored by the Pacific Writers’ Connection, the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance and multiple Hawaii conservation agencies and organizations.
The contest was open to students in grades 6 to 8, and included poem and short story entries on the theme “Planet at the Crossroads” that will be included in an anthology that will be distributed to schools and libraries.
The students’ writing represents personal reflections on the environment, cultural values, kuleana, stewardship and writing that contributes to youth literature that is unique to Hawaii, according to a news release.
Contest winners are:
>> Kaila Apo, “Yearning to Be With Them Again,” Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama.
>> Kalama Arquette, “Ku‘u Hawai‘i Aloha,” Kamehameha-Kapalama.
>> Draelee Cabinatan, “The Monster in Humans,” Kamehameha-Kapalama.
>> Lexi Cowan, “The Legend of Kaimana,” Sacred Hearts Academy.
>> Madison Enos, “Following in the Footsteps of Our Kupuna,” Kamehameha- Kapalama.
>> Pono Estores, “Kulaiwi,” Kameha- meha-Kapalama.
>> Levi Fisher, “Whoosh,” Kameha- meha-Kapalama.
>> Jordynn Haumea-Harding, “He Koho ka Hawai‘i,” Kamehameha-Kapalama.
>> Sofia Howard, “A Spider’s Web,” Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
>> Jason Huynh, “Small Choices, Deadly Results,” ‘Iao Intermediate School.
>> Gabe Li, “Ulu Pono Alu Like,” Kamehameha-Kapalama.
>> Pono Lupenui, “Ko‘u Honua: Your Earth, My Earth,” Kamehameha-Kapalama.
>> Shaylee Mahi, “How About Hawai‘i,” Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Middle School.
>> Alex Melemai, “Restoration of Our Island Nation,” Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Middle School.
>> Taylor Moniz, “Hope for Humanity,” Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Middle School.
>> Joseph Paci, “Everything to Its Proper Place,” Iao Intermediate School.
>> Onipa‘a Pung, “LiFeStYlE,” Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Middle School.
>> Creighton Purdy, “Hokule‘a,” Kamehameha Schools Maui.
>> Aleina Reyes, “‘Ohi‘a,” Kamehameha Schools Maui.
>> Sean Sakamoto, “Kara’s Lesson,” Kamehameha Schools Maui.
>> Emily Smith, “Voices of Nature,” Ho‘ala School.
>> Justice-Lee Vannatta-Kapoi, “Malama i ka ‘Aina,” Kamehameha Schools Maui.
>> William Wawner, “The Point of No Return,” Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
>> Kanani Wong, “Aloha ‘Aina,” Kamehameha Schools Maui.
>> Jonah Keolu Yuen, “Guardians of the Moku,” Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Middle School.
