‘Sweet Serenity’ wins peace poem grand prize

LIHU‘E — Sixth-grader Ka‘uakeokeo Aqui from Waimea Canyon Middle School was awarded the Kaua‘i grand prize in the 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Awards.

“We are delighted to receive work of this caliber from this young Kaua‘i poet,” said Melinda Gohn, awards coordinator.

Officials honored six student winners from a field of more than 120 entries from five Kaua‘i schools for their peace poems in the countywide competition organized by the International Peace Poem Project, an organization of volunteers, including teachers and artists. The annual competition is to honor King, the civil-rights leader who promoted nonviolent means to achieve social change.

Congratulating the students were Hawai‘i first lady Dawn Amano Ige, pesident of the state Senate Ronald D. Kouchi, Mayor Derek Kawakami and former Mayor and County Councilmember JoAnn Yukimura. Aqui received a portrait of Einstein donated by Maui artist Davo and a certificate from Ige.

Gohn said Aqui’s poem, “Sweet Serenity,” employs a fresh look in a poetic narrative using metered rhyme, imagery and metaphor to describe the search for peace.

Aqui’s poem begins, “In a world which many may not see/no judgment and overall tranquility/This world I see, I see afar/A vision as far as the Northern Star.”

Aqui’s poem continues, “Many believe peace will one day be achieved/to others, this idea is ill-conceived.”

He concludes, “Keep the peace, and all will be well./Combat the evil from the depths of hell!/Learn to trust, learn to heal/Maybe then, others shall now appeal.”

The Grand Finalist Prize was awarded to third-grade student Edward Kaumakahea Kauo, and the Finalist Prize was awarded to fourth-grade Kilauea School student Kinley Holohan. Kilauea School teacher Christopher Skabo was awarded as the Dr. King Peacepoem Teacher of the Year. Ige’s office provided certificates for the six Golden Circle winners, recognizing them for poetic excellence.

All 18 Kaua‘i contest winners received certificates of achievement from Kawakami and a King limited edition commemorative prize poster of the Hokule‘a on her worldwide sail for peace furnished by the International Peace Poem Project.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2023 contest welcomes student peace poem entries during Black History month, February 2023. To enter, contact Gohn at poem@maui.net.