Mission PAWsible 2024

Special Note: All entries’ deadline is May 5, 2024 at 11:59pm.

This year’s Mission PAWsible theme: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to show or tell us about kitten season on O`ahu. We have a large number of free-roaming cats on our island and we want to see your beautiful interpretations on the free-roaming cat population, ways we can help, why we should be empathetic, and more! Don’t be afraid to do some research: how did these cats get to Hawai`i in the first place? Did they ask to be here? If you need a little help, no worries! Check out hawaiianhumane.org/kittens to learn more about what kitten season is.

Attention students in grades 6-12 on O`ahu: another year means another Mission PAWsible Contest!  This year, we hope your Mission PAWsible projects illustrate the importance of caring for all animals, treating them humanely, and being empathetic; with a special focus this year towards our free-roaming cats especially with kitten season right around the corner

Here are this year’s categories:

  • Traditional Art (drawing, painting, etc.)
  • Digital Art (photography, animation, video, graphic design)
  • Creative Writing (poetry, short story – no longer than 500 words)
  • NEW! 3D Art (ceramic, wood, metal, sewing, etc.)

Note: If you are bringing in your submissions, they must be within a reasonable size (about 1x1x1 foot). However, picture/video submissions of the art will also be accepted as submissions if it is larger in size or if you are unable to bring it in.

Prizes

Two grand prize winners will be selected from each category. One from grades 6-8 and one from grades 9-12 for a total of 8 grand prize winners! Each grand prize winner will receive a $150 Debit Gift Card and a Humane Achievement Award. We will also have some surprise prizes for those who are honorable mentions! 

Submissions are currently open and will not be accepted on or after Monday, May 6, 2024. For submissions being dropped off at our Mo`ili`ili Campus and Kosasa Family Campus at Hoʻopili, please check our website for business hours. 

Rules and Judging Criteria

Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Entries will be reviewed and evaluated based on the following criteria within the context of two grade spans: grades 6 – 8 and grades 9 – 12.  

  • Adherence to the Contest Theme (All entries) What have you learned about Free-Roaming Cats and Kitten Season? How can you make a difference in your community?
  • Creativity and Originality (All entries) All entries must be an original creation and cannot be copied or traced from someone else’s work. Show or tell us what we can do to help the animals in our community.
  • Clarity of Message (All entries) What is the message the artist is trying to convey? How is the message communicated? Does the message align with the Hawaiian Humane Society’s mission and values?
  • Visual Quality and Design (Traditional Art and Digital Art categories)
  • Size Regulations (Traditional Art and Digital Art categories) Entries must be flat and 17×11-inch (ledger size) or smaller.
  • Length Regulations (Digital Art and Creative Writing categories) Photography entries can be submitted as a single photograph or as a series up to eight photographs. Videos must be 3 minutes or less. Written word entries must be 500 words or less.
  • Correct Spelling, Grammar, and Appropriate Word Choice (Creative Writing category)
  • Adherence to Submission Guidelines (See below)

How To Enter

If you experience any technical issues or would rather submit your contest entry as a hard copy to the Hawaiian Humane Society, complete this form and include it with your submission.

Submission Guidelines:

All hardcopy entries should be mailed to: Hawaiian Humane Society Attention: Mission PAWsible Contest 2700 Waialae Avenue Honolulu, HI 96826

  • Entries must include a fully completed Mission PAWsible submission form. If you submit your entry electronically, ensure you fill-out the online submission form in its entirety. If you submit your entry as a hardcopy, print out a submission form at at the link above and include the submission form with your entry.
  • Electronic submissions must be submitted as: .doc, .pdf, .jpeg, or as a Vimeo or YouTube link. Google docs will not be accepted.
  • Participation indicates permission for the Hawaiian Humane Society to use entries at its discretion, including the entrant’s first name and school.

For questions or more information, email Education@HawaiianHumane.org or call 808-356-2223.

Eligibility

Contest is open to all students in grades 6 – 12 living on Oʻahu. Students may submit up to one entry per category; however, students can only win one Grand Prize.

Deadline

All entries’ deadline is Sunday, May 5 at 11:59pm.