Celebration of the "My Hawai‘i Story Project" Mahalo to all who joined us in honoring extraordinary young writers with a passion for Hawai‘i’s environment on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at ING DIRECT Café This event was sponsored by  Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance Foundation, Pacific Writers' Connection, and ING DIRECT     This event provided a delightful opportunity to celebrate the students' accomplishments and raise funds to support the 2010 "My Hawai‘i” Story Project. The Conservation Fair featured exhibits from Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance member organizations, art by Susan Scott, and “green” vendors, with educational activities and games. Participants learned about Hawaiian native species and ecosystems, and how they can play a part in protecting Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural heritage. The fair was followed by a My Hawai‘i Celebration and Reception featuring readings by "My Hawai‘i" student authors, raffle prizes, a silent auction, live music by Kupa‘āina, and a light pūpū reception.   Special appearances by   Joe Tsujimoto, Writer & Educator Author of Teaching Poetry Writing to Adolescents, Lighting Fires: How the Passionate Teacher Engages Adolescent Writers, and Morningside Heights: New York Stories Kealoha, Hawai‘i's Slam Master Founder of HawaiiSlam, Youth Speaks Hawai‘i, and First Thursdays slam poetry competition, and performer in the Artists in the Schools program Thank you to our Silent Auction Sponsors  April Ishigami, Creative Patchworks; Arkadi Kuhlmann, CEO, ING Direct; Artists Knoll & Cella;  Barbara Pope Book Design; Bishop Museum; Bryan Harry; Conservation Council for Hawaii; Crenatus Inc.; DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife; Dr. Veronica Ford, Kailua Naturopathic Medicine; Eden-Lee Murray; Frank Stewart; Gyotaku by Brandon Tengan; Hawaii Nature Center; Hawaii Volcanoe's National Park; Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa; ING Direct; Janice Crowl, Bishop Museum Press; Jeannette Northern; Jocelyn Fujii, Hula Moon Press; John Johnson, One Breath Photography; John McCaskill; Kokua Market; Kualoa Ranch Hawaii, Inc.; Menehune Water Company, Inc.; Native Books; NOAA Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument; Oahu Nature Tours; Ohana Komputer; Randall Kennedy; Robert Masuda; Ronald Walker; Royal Hawaiian Band Music Society; Sam and Mary Cooke, Manoa Heritage Center; Sea Life Park; Sierra Club Hawaii; Special Events Equipment, Inc.; Star of Honolulu Cruises and Events; Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Tihati Productions, Ltd.; Trish Iokepa; Tropical Paper Garden; U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii; Waikiki Aquarium; Yoga Hawaii.