7 Maui Students Honored in Environmental Writing

Seven students from Maui were selected as winners in the “My Hawaiʻi” 2016 environmental writing contest for students in grades 6 to 8.

They were among a list of 25 middle school students in the state who will have their poems and short stories published as part of an anthology to be distributed to schools and libraries across all islands.

Students were asked to share their insights on the environment in Hawai‘i today, and their dreams for tomorrow.

The 10th annual contest focused on the theme “Planet at the Crossroads,” which aligns with the 2016 International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress that will be held in Honolulu in September.

The contest was sponsored by the Pacific Writers’ Connection, the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance and multiple Hawaiʻi conservation agencies and organizations.

Their entries were selected from more than 500 submissions from across the state as students refelected on their personal views of the environment, cultural values, kuleana, stewardship, and place-based writing.

Takiora Ingram, director of the Pacific Writers’ Connection and main driver of the writing contest said, “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. The 2016 winners will have an opportunity to showcase their poems and stories at the Congress.”

The 2016 “My Hawaiʻi” writing contest winners are:

• 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
• 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
• Creighton Purdy, Hōkūleʻa, Kamehameha Schools Maui
• Aleina Reyes, ʻŌhiʻa, Kamehameha Schools Maui
• Sean Sakamoto, Karaʻs Lesson, Kamehameha Schools Maui
• Emily Smith, Voices Of Nature, Hoʻala School
• Justice-Lee Vannatta-Kapoi, Mālama i ka ʻĀina, Kamehameha Schools Maui
• William Wawner, The Point of No Return, Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy
• Kanani Wong, Aloha ʻĀina, Kamehameha Schools Maui
• Jonah Keolu Yuen, Guardians of the Moku, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School