Maui youths win peace poetry contest held in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

KAHULUI, Maui - Twenty-one Maui youths have been recognized for their peace poetry in a contest honoring the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King during Black History Month in February. Other winners will be receiving their awards at ceremonies on their island.

The contest was sponsored by International Peace Poem Project supporters who are creating the world's longest poem on peace, and who are planning to present the document to the United Nations in New York in October 2000. Certificates and a congratulatory letter from Maui Mayor James Apana along with prizes were awarded to 17 winners who attended the ceremonies at Border's Store in Kahului with their teachers and families.

"I was overwhelmed with the simplicity and the clearness of their message," said Dr. Ayin Adams, a poet and film producer. Said Melinda Gohn, Peace Poem Coordinator, "Working with the poets of tomorrow is the real reward. We hope to have more next year." Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana said in his letter to the winners, "Your efforts exemplify the recognition that peace begins with each of us and that we must respect ourselves as well as each other."

Maui winners were Hana Elementary School students Noe-Keala Kapoi, Amanda Bolduc and Keisha Nakamura; Kalama Intermediate students Sara Matsumoto, Erin Wooldridge, Chase Decoite and Marci Ono; Sacred Hearts School student Marie Cochrane; Pukalani Elementary School students Ryan Kahae Kele, Jordan Tagorda, Kahea Ueshiro, Raenell Bacarro, Keola Williams, Stephanie Romena, Eric Snow, Tiana Chang, Shyla Kekona, Kayla Meyer, Jesse Prais and Andrew Calumpit.

Gohn said the prizes were donated by a number of Maui businesses and artists, including Sargent's Fine Art gallery, Lahaina Printsellers, Ellen Levinski, Kenny Hultquist, Kathryn Oxman, Eve Clute, Mike's Goof Shop, Bryan Debris, and George Allan.

"Let all people/No matter what color/Be treated equal/Let all people live in peace," said Pukalani Elementary student Keola Williams, one of the winners of the Peace Poem Contest. Standing in the background is one of the organizers, Dr. Ayin Adams.

"Make the world a meaningful place for all kinds of people/ See deep down in everyone's heart where some people still hurt," recited Hana Elementary sixth-grader Noe-Keala Kapoi in part of her peace poem. Kapoi reads her peace poem, as students from Hana listen in the background. Another Hana winner (right) was Amanda Bolduc read, in part, "Peace is something some people can't describe/Just a feeling that comes from inside."

Pukalani Elementary student Eric Snow recites his peace poem. Listening is project coordinator Melinda Gohn.

Another Pukalani winner was (right) Chase Decoite.

Sacred Hearts School seventh-grader Marie Cochrane reads her peace poem, with project coordinator Melinda Gohn in the background. Part of Cochrane's poem read, "Dare to learn another culture. You will gain more knowledge and understand that all of our differences bring forth a unique combination that gives unity."