Visions of harmony

World peace has been put in the hands of elementary school children. Little Philosophers, founded by Phillip and Annastina Jarosz, is hosting the annual International Peace Prize competition, allowing kids ages 5 to 10 to share essays, poetry, artwork or songs about peace. This year's theme involves imagining a machine that would ensure world peace by 2011.

Entries must be submitted by Nov. 23. Some students who enter will be selected to participate in a television series early next year. Visit www.littlephilosophers.com for more details and contest rules.

The Fluttering of Butterflies (Or Peace and Aloha)

By Mariko Lau, 8, Honolulu

Peace is the silence of the midnight,
the rainbow of laughter.
Peace is the light of shimmering stars,
the dream of silky jewels.
Peace is the music of children singing,
songs of dreaming babies.
Peace is the oceans of the earth,
the voice of the mountains.
Peace is the heart of all continents,
the echo of all countries.

Aloha is the kind people of the world's cities,
the light of the sun.
Aloha is the breeze of the misty winds,
the diamonds of the silky distance.
Aloha is the fragrance of lavender flowers,
the song of the seas.
Aloha is the kingdom of my dreams,
the night of hissing clouds.
Aloha is the fluttering of butterflies,
the blooming of all flowers.

May I Help You With That?

By Erin Voss, 9, Kailua

May I help you with that?
This sentence shows aloha
Use it
When someone drops his book at school,
When someone needs help finding something in a grocery store,
When someone locks his keys in the car,
When someone has broken something and you can fix it,
When you see a homeless person struggling to get by.

Aloha means helping others from the heart.
Not for money, not for points,
But for love.

We need to remember to help others.
Showing aloha is like making a lei.
Each flower stands for a person, a helpful person.
When you string a lei of helpful people
It is like a whole world of aloha.

Sweet Peace

By Julian Bel-Robert, 10, Lahaina

The sweet statue
This artwork
The peacefulness
The quietness that shows aloha
The Red Petals blooming with love
The lei lingering with a sweet smell
The Peace of Judo

The Group of People

By Makenna Stockham, 10, Maui

The group of people are peaceful
They spread aloha by playing Hawaiian music for others
They are singing, taking, making music
They're playing drums and ukuleles
They are happy
They are calm
They are loving