Due to COVID-19 the organizers of the My Hawaiʻi Story Contest have decided to cancel this year’s My Hawaiʻi Story Contest. We expect that the 2021 My Hawaiʻi Story Contest will take place. Please keep an eye out for announcements about the 2021 My Hawaiʻi Story Contest around December 2020/January 2021.
ENTRY DETAILS
The My Hawai‘i creative writing contest is open to all middle school students (6–8th grade) in the state. Students are invited to submit their best story or poem that addresses the theme, “Ola Ka ‘Āina Momona: Managing for Abundance,” to align with the 2020 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference theme.
This theme features the traditional Hawaiian concept of ‘āina momona, an abundant land with plenty of food. How can we protect the environments and plan for a more sustainable future—with enough land and ocean resources for everyone on our island home?
Entries should tell a story, not simply share information. Acrostic poems (where certain letters in each line spell out a word or phrase) will not be accepted.
- The maximum word count is 1,000 words.
- All middle school students in Hawai‘i are eligible.
- Only one entry per student will be accepted.
- All entries must be submitted online.
DEADLINE EXTENSION!
Entries are due 5:00pm Friday, March 13, 2020 Monday, March 30th, 2020.
RULES
Submit contact information in the entry form online, but do not reveal the student’s name or school anywhere in the entry to maintain anonymity in the evaluation process. All entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges without student identification information or grade level.
By submitting an entry, the student and school authorize the My Hawai‘i Story Project to use the stories or poems for educational purposes including, but not limited to, print and web materials.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
All entries will be judged using the following criteria:
- Theme relevance – how well did you connect to the theme and to Hawaii’s unique environment?
- Clarity of message – how well did you express your ideas?
- Creativity and originality – your work must be your own!
Entries will be assessed by how well you express your ideas using appropriate grammar and writing style.
WINNING ENTRIES
Winning entries will be announced on May 15, 2020.
The winning entries will be published in the My Hawai‘i Story anthology. Winners will receive a copy of the anthology, award certificate, and other special prizes. We hope all contest winners will be able to attend the awards ceremony at the Hawai‘i Conservation Conference in September 2020.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
This flyer is available here. We encourage you to pass the flyer on to teachers and post it for students and parents.
Questions? Contact: myhawaiistory@gmail.com
PROJECT PARTNERS
The Pacific Writers’ Connection
The Charles Engelhard Foundation
Hawai‘i Coastal Zone Management Program
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
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Omidyar ‘Ohana Fund
Pacific Resources for Education and Learning
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Polynesian Voyaging Society
