Torrents of
Tamagotchi haiku

Plastic chicken contest
generates worldwide interest

By Blaine Fergerstrom
Webmaster, Star-Bulletin

The contest opened and entries poured in to the Star-Bulletin's first online-only contest. The popularity of the contest was expected -- after all, we're talking Tamagotchi here -- but no one could have predicted the avalanche of e-mail that flowed in from across the globe.

Entries came from all over Hawaii, nearly all the other states and many Canadian provinces. Also represented were Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia from the Pacific Rim. Europe had entries from France, England, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Germany.

When the dust cleared, 768 readers had sent in carefully crafted poems about Tamagotchi. Most spoke of love or infatuation with their "little chick." Others scorned the craze, deriding those afflicted by the electronic fowl -- but they still wanted a free one, thank you!

Adults represented the largest bulk of entries, followed by the 9-to 13-year-olds, prompting us to split that division to give the younger entrants a better chance. We also doubled the purse, deciding to award two Tamagotchi to each division so more readers could enjoy the victory.

Seven-year-old Michael Cacace of Pearl City got the first call in the 8-under division. Mom Barbara was thrilled to hear that he had won. She explained that his sister got one for her birthday and that he had been crying about it ever since.

She showed him the contest on starbulletin.com and said, "See? Here's your chance!" Upon hearing of his win, Michael split a huge grin and ran out of the house to tell his friends. Michael's haiku was selected by Star-Bulletin staff, who said, "Awww!":

Animal lover
Rental home, no pets allowed
My own pet to love

Also in the 8-under division was the entry of six-year-old Blaine Yamauchi of Torrance, Calif. His haiku brimmed with the sing-song enthusiasm of a first-grader:

Blaine Yamauchi
Would love a Tamagotchi
'Cause it's lots of fun!

In the 9-11 group, Melanie Nakatani, 9, of Honolulu, screamed, "Yes!" on hearing the news. Her haiku related a common predicament of young Tamagotchi "parents":

Cyber chick calling
My school teacher glares at me
What am I to do?

Also winning in this division was 10-year-old Christine Takara of East Manoa Road. Mom said, "Her brother will be so furious!" It may help to ease the anger just a bit to learn that her brother Jonathan, 11, was also a finalist in the same division. Christine's haiku was the only one written from the perspective of the Tamagotchi:

In my master's bag
My urgent chirps are ignored
Help! I am starving!

In the 12-13 division, Troy Lau, 13, of Kaiolohia Place in Honolulu took top honors. We'll give you the prize, Troy, but you need to let your family play, too:

Gets more attention
Little egg that lives and dies
Than my family

Right behind him was Addie Beseda, 13, of Clackamas, Ore. Very sad, Addie!

O! I dropped him
A very long beeping noise
Sadness; he reset

In the 14-18 "teen-ager" class, Lauren Naturale, 14, of Medfield, Mass., took the honors with her plaintive missive:

Every day, all day
I do nothing but tend you
Where is your off switch?

Ha ha, Lauren; Tamagotchi is being referred to as "Japanese revenge" over here!

From Kailua, 16-year-old Melissa Kamei also won for her ode to Eveready:

To care for and love
Till batteries do we part
My Tamagotchi

In the huge 19-over adult division, it was tough to single out the Top 25, much less the best one. When the dust settled, 29-year-old Gary Douglas II of West Covina, Calif., won with this tender message:

Be quiet, small one
Soon this dull meeting will end
With a snack, my friend!

And finishing up the adult division is "18+" Susan Jaworowski of Mililani. Thank goodness, Susan won!

My daughter wants one
Oh please! Then she'll stop wanting
A baby sister

Prizes and certificates are being mailed to the winners and certificates will be mailed to finalists.

Congratulations to all!