Winner – High School Song Writing
Samuel Morris, 12th Grade, Kamehameha High School
A Voice for the Voiceless
Click here to listen.
Voice for the Voiceless
Well tomorrow they’ll be hoping for
A change of course in the wind
Maybe they’re what you’re searching for
A family to fit in
Their eyes can dry from the tears that run
Down a face that’s been turned away
They’ll step out of the dark and into the sun
With a smile to the one who says
Bridge:
I’ll love you
I’ll care for you
I’ll be there for you
Chorus:
We are the voice for the voiceless
The air when they can’t breathe
We are the light in the darkness
The eyes when they can’t see
We are the voice for the voiceless
The words when they can’t speak
We are the ones who make a difference
The reason they believe
That tomorrow they’ll be living life again
In all of their lives they’ve been beaten down
A road that never seemed to end
We’ll be the ones who take them out
And treat them as a friend
They’re lost somewhere with nowhere to go
We’ll be the ones who guide them
To a place that they can call their home
With someone who’ll be there till the end, saying
Bridge
Chorus 2X
Winner – High School Poetry
Elizabeth Shishido, 11th grade, Moanalua High School
The Tail of Mitzi
My name was Fluffy
I was loved and cared for
I lived my life happily
Soon I lived outside of a door
Then I was called Coffee
I was abused
I was fearful
I was alone
I was soon a stray
Living in the streets
In the rain
Alone and hungry
Then one day
I was found
I was fed by caring
People
I was not taken
To a pound
But to a place
Called Hawaiian Humane Society
Here I am now
Happy again
Winner – High School Essay
Tabatha Donley, 11th Grade, Moanalua High School
The Power of Adoption
For the first four years of my life, I was tossed from owner to owner. I kept wondering why I wasn’t a worthy pet. What was it about me that humans didn’t like? I am a round, orange and white, male tabby cat with exquisite stripped patterns – who could resist such a cutie? But there I was, treated like an unwanted pair of shoes after the customer was unsatisfied, or didn’t feel the shoes were worth the expense – bought, tried on, and returned. Well, the truth is, I am not a pair of shoes. I am a cat – an animal – a living creature. I have feelings just like any human would, and would appreciate being loved and respected.
In 2003, my second owner dropped me off at an animal shelter in Japan, similar to the Hawaii Humane Society. I was placed in the cat room with my cat brother Ume. Immediately, we felt the stress and anxiety accumulate upon us. Though it was my second time being put up for adoption, I was definitely not used to it, nor did I enjoy it. Certainly, the animal shelter had wonderful volunteers – they were always so friendly, loving, and enthusiastic, taking great care of all the cats and dogs throughout the day. This affection is what saved me from going insane. However, a shelter is only temporary – it is no permanent home. Just as Ume and I were feeling extremely lonesome, a miracle happened – we met the Donley family, who were extremely kind and compassionate. Compassionate enough to adopt both Ume and me, and keep us – permanently.
Since then, I have had the world’s greatest life. I have lived in Japan, Virginia, and Hawaii – all with my family and my dear brother Ume. My family has even supported me through surgery; a year after they adopted me, I had a tumor-like bump on my leg, which was deemed a life-threatening situation by the veterinarian. Thus, my right front leg was immediately amputated – which was of course painful, but caused me to come out stronger than ever. My family was extremely supportive, and stuck by my side, ensuring that I receive all the love and care possible. I cannot imagine what life would have been like if I hadn’t been adopted by such a loving family.
Adoption is vital to the world of pets. According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are six to eight million cats and dogs entering shelters each year. These pets are in desperate need of a loving, permanent home. I, Kinu the three-legged tabby cat, speak on behalf of all the cats, dogs, rabbits, and other pets in animal shelters. We all need a loving home. Home is where we feel at peace and where we feel affection. We need to ensure animals get the life they deserve; and there’s no better solution than adoption through animal shelters. Adoption is a powerful way to change animal lives.
Winner – Middle School Poetry
Amy Uehara, 8th Grade, Iolani Schools
A Sense of Home
I can see it.
Love is here,
Never hesitant or abusive,
rough or mean.
I can feel it.
Shelter is here,
Always warm and comfortable,
affectionate and serene.
I can taste it.
Sustenance is here,
No more hunger or thirst,
starvation or malnutrition.
I can smell it.
Salvation is here,
Always gentle and soft,
painless and strong.
I can hear it.
You are here,
Never turning me away,
Never ignoring my need for a home.
Winner – Middle School Essay
Leana Vestal, 7th grade, Niu Valley Middle School
Voice for the Animals
Pet adoption, what comes to your mind when you hear these words? I think about lots of animals with giant droopy eyes in cages who are so cute; and want to go home with you. Animals have different personalities just like people and want to become your friends instead of being locked up in a cage their whole life; which is what humans would rather do also. Pet adoption is important for the Humane Society and overall fantastic.
First of all, pet adoption helps the Hawaiian Humane Society in many different ways. When pets are adopted the extra money from the adoption fee goes to the Humane Society so they can spend it on food for the animals, water, and more! The Hawaiian Humane Society is a non-profit organization and receives money to buy items, such as, leashes, cages, collars, etc. Another way they receive money is from donations. Pet adoption helps the Humane Society by, opening cages so more animals can be rescued (unlike a regular pet store) because even if they get donations they need open cages to place the animals in.
Second of all, pet adoption helps you because it gives you a friend. Pets are awesome companions. I have pets and they all love my family and me very much. If you teach them something like a trick or you train them to be obedient, once they learn it you feel incredible. Like you were a part of the animal’s new life in forgetting what happened to them before. When you’re depressed and they do the most adorable thing ever, it cheers you up. Once I was sad and my dog came and went on her back because she wanted a belly rub which made me smile.
Third, pet adoption is important for the animals. The pets don’t want to sit in the cages of the Humane Society their entire life. They want to be adopted from someone loving and someone who will care for them. Most pets enjoy attention, when someone strokes their smooth, soft, silky fur, they would rather have someone right next to them instead of someone who’s on the other side of the cage door. When pets enter into their new home I think they are thinking about the wonderful things they’ll do with their family. They start getting excited and they think about the giggles, smiles, and fun times they’ll have instead of thinking about the past.
Overall, pet adoption’s extremely important. It is important for the Hawaiian Humane Society and the pets. It also gives you a great companion once you adopt them. In addition, the Hawaiian Humane Society will be able to rescue more pets. Pets have a better life living in a home with someone who loves and cares for them, which makes them feel amazing. Just think about the animal with their eyes watching you, head tilted, and pointy high ears waiting for you to say I found my new pet.
Honorable Mention – High School Essay
Sonnieann Ramento, 9th Grade, Campbell High School
Homeless No More
There once was a cat named Tiger he was homeless and slept on the streets, until one day a lady had found him on the streets meowing. She was going to take him into the Humane Society that same day. On their way there the lady said “are you okay? You poor thing, everything will be okay,” as she smiled at the cat.
“Thank you for saving me from the scary roads, I thought no one would’ve ever found me, my name is Tiger by the way,” said the cat.
The lady had responded, “you’re very welcome my name is Hilda.”
When they had reached the Humane Society the workers had put Tiger into his own cage next to the other cats.
“Hi, I’m Whiskers. What’s your name?” said one cat.
Tiger had responded shyly, “I’m… Ti… Tiger.”
“Nice to meet you tiger. You know, you don’t need to be scared nobody’s going to hurt you here,” said Whiskers.
“Thanks for the heads up, but this is not what I’m used to. I’m used to living on my own,” responded Tiger gracefully.
Whiskers looked at him with a weird face and said; “well, you have these people to take care of you until someone adopts you.”
“Help me! No! I don’t want to be here!” a cat had screamed.
“Woah who’s that? She seems scare,” mentioned Tiger. The cat was placed next to Tiger and Tiger had greeted himself and also Whiskers.
The very sassy cat had responded in a rude way, “ugh, get me out of here! I don’t belong here,” as she pouted, “my name is Sassy.” She licked her paws while looking around the place through the thin lines of the cage. “Although, this place looks very nice,” she had mentioned.
“You’re not a mean cat right?” asked Whiskers.
Sassy laughed, “pfft, mean? Of course not silly, can’t you tell by my name? I’m sassy that’s all.”
“Were you from the streets too?” Tiger asked curiously.
“Yes I was, I actually got kicked out of my house couple months ago and was left on the streets… she paused, “but.. It’s okay, I was fine on my own,” Sassy said.
“Well now you don’t need to worry about that! The workers are going to take good care of us, and one day we’ll get adopted!” Whiskers said excitedly.
Tiger had this weird thinking face on, and it had worried Whiskers and Sassy.
“I got it!” Tiger screamed.
“Got what?” Sassy and Whiskers had asked, looking so confused.
“I came up with a plan to get us adopted all together! So we can live together!” Tiger screamed again very excitedly.
They all looked at each other, thinking about the whole thing, wondering, and thinking. Until suddenly they all agreed to the plan. The next day a little girl had ran up to the cats cages, she had turned to her mom and talked to her.
“Mommy, I want that one,” as she pointed at Whiskers.
“Okay sweetie, good choice that one’s a cutie,” said the little girls mom.
Whiskers asked the little girl so kindly and sweetly, to ask her mom if she could adopt all three cats. The mom looked at the little girl like she was crazy, but since the mom was so kind she let the little girl adopt all three cats. Now they’re happy and they feel so loved. They know that, that family will never abandon them. Pet adoption is important, because it makes you feel good, and also you make the animal feel loved and cared about. That's what every animal needs.
Honorable Mention – High School Poetry
Alex Bryan, 9th Grade, Campbell High School
Give Joy
Dogs and cats alike are on the street
Not being fed properly and getting beat
It’s very saddening to see their frowns
Those poor cats and dogs in all the towns
They all eat out of the garbage can
Thanks to the cruelty of man
But then the Humane Society takes a stand
Giving all kinds of animals a helping hand
You can help, too, just a small part
Adopt a pet, give joy to its heart.
Honorable Mention – Middle School Poetry
Izack Paet, 6th Grade, Kapolei Middle School
The Homeless Chihuahua
Hello My Name is Zack.
Hello My Name is Zack.
Hello My Name is Zack.
I am eight inches long.
I am as tall as the top of your socks.
I am cute and snugly.
I smell like freshly cut grass.
When I want a treat,
My super cute puppy eyes look up at you.
You give me a treat,
A bag of my favorite biscuits.
When I chase my tail,
When I play catch, and fetch,
And sleep,
The people say, "Awe, that is so cute!"
When I am sleepy,
I curl up in a circle and peek at you with one eye.
And I hear them say, "Awe, that is so cute!"
I then give you a one sided puppy grin.
And the children say, "Awe, he's so cute! Adopt him Mommy! Adopt him Daddy!"
Let's name him Zack!
Let's name him Zack!
Let's name him Zack!
And then I know you have fallen under the control of my super puppy power.