My Hawai‘i Story Project

This year’s contest is open to middle school students and we welcome entries in three (3) categories:
     * Creative Writing (prose or poetry)
     * 2D Art (drawing, painting, digital media or photography)
     * Songwriting

Only one (1) entry per student, regardless of category; entry in multiple categories is not permitted. Entries should address the theme: “Why is conserving Hawai‘i’s land and ocean resources important to you?” and should not have the student’s name or school written (or said in the case of the song recording) anywhere on the project to maintain anonymity in the evaluation process.

By submitting an entry, the student and school authorize HCA to use these products for educational and conservation purposes including, but not limited to, print materials, posting on the web, airing on the radio, etc. Entries are due by 5pm on March 16, 2012.

Each category will be judged using the same three (3) criteria:

     * Theme Relevance - why is conserving Hawai‘i’s land and ocean resources
               important to you?
     * Clarity of Message - how well did you share your feelings?
     * Creativity & Originality - your work must be your own!

Middle school students are invited to submit their best narrative or poem reflecting on this year’s theme. All entries should tell a story, not simply share information. Acrostic poems will not be accepted.

Stories should be titled and typed using Times New Roman, size 12 black font. Do not use special colors, fonts, or graphics of any kind. Stories should be limited to 1,000 words.

Entries will be assessed by how well you express your feelings about the contest theme using appropriate grammar and writing style.

Submission of entries should be in .doc or .pdf format and not contain the student’s name or school to maintain anonymity in the evaluation process.

Middle school students are invited to submit their best drawing, painting, digital media or photography reflecting this year’s theme. All entries must include BOTH the artwork and a short artist’s interpretation for the viewer (maximum of 100 words).

Entries will be assessed by looking at craftsmanship (skill in use of media), artistic elements (line, color, space, form, and texture), and composition.

Submission of the artwork should be in .jpeg or .pdf format, artist’s interpretation in .doc or .pdf. Neither the artwork nor the interpretation should have the student’s name or school indicated to maintain anonymity in the evaluation process.

Middle school students are invited to submit their best song reflecting on this year’s theme. All entries should include BOTH written lyrics and a recording of the song.

Songs should be approximately 2-4 minutes in length and no more than 5 minutes. Entries will be assessed by listening for rhythm, melodic hook, lyrics and arrangement.

Submission of the recording should be in .mp3 format; submission of lyrics should be in .doc or .pdf. Entries should not have student’s name or school said in the recording or written in the lyrics in order to maintain anonymity in the evaluation process.

Winners will be publicly announced on May 11, 2012. All winners will receive an eco-friendly prize package from the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance.

The winning entries will be compiled and published (lyrics will be published for the songwriting category) crediting the winner and their school. The “My Hawai‘i” anthologies will be on display at the 20th Annual Hawai‘i Conservation Conference in Honolulu, July 31 - August 2, 2012 and copies will be mailed to participating schools and all state libraries. Winning song recordings will also be compiled and published on the iTunes store for download.

Feel free to contact 808-687-6152 or outreach@hawaiiconservation.org, with any questions you may have regarding this contest.


This contest is sponsored by the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance and the Pacific Writers’ Connection.