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For Immediate Release
October 14, 2021

Hawaii Residents are Asked on October 21 to “Imagine A Day Without Water” 

City and State agencies partner together to emphasize the value of water in our daily lives 


HONOLULU – October 21, 2021, marks the second annual statewide Imagine A Day Without Water, a nationwide event to encourage residents and decision-makers about the importance of preserving the planet’s most essential resource and the crucial need to invest in our water systems.

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is partnering with city and state agencies to encourage residents across Hawaii to Imagine A Day Without Water. Partners include the City’s Departments of Environmental Services (ENV), Facility Maintenance (DFM), and Office of Climate Change, and Sustainability and Resiliency. Also participating are the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Commission on Water Resource Management, Division of Forestry and Wildlife; University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; and Kauai, Hawaii, and Maui county water departments.

Most of us take water for granted. Yet, from the beginning of the pandemic to the recent spread of the delta variant, we saw that reliable, dependable water service is key to ensure the protection of our health. Water also plays a critical role in safeguarding the environment and contributing to the improved sustainability of our islands.

This event has three components to engage residents across the state: 

  • “One Water” Forum (virtual): October 21, 2021, at 12 noon on the BWS website at www.boardofwatersupply.com/iadww. Agency directors from the BWS (Ernest Lau), ENV (Wesley Yokoyama), DFM (Roger Babcock, Jr.), and the Chairperson from DLNR (Suzanne Case) will discuss the importance of water and the need to invest in our critical water infrastructure. The event will be interactive, so viewers can submit questions or comments via email at contactus@hbws.org or in an online comment box that will be live during the forum.
    one water forum
  • “One Water” Contest: Participants will have the chance to win a variety of prizes, including a 35-gallon rain barrel, agency logo shirts, reusable totes, and more, by correctly answering water-related questions from partner agencies on the BWS’s Instagram page (@BWSHonolulu). Questions will be posted at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, & 5 PM, on Oct 21. A complete list of prizes and contest rules can be found at www.boardofwatersupply.com/iadww.
  • Social media outreach: Be sure to check the BWS’s and partnering agencies' Facebook and Instagram pages to learn about the value of water and the importance of water infrastructure through informational posts, short videos, and a 10-day countdown leading up to the event.

For more information about Imagine A Day Without Water, the Live and Interactive “One Water Forum,” and contest, please visit the BWS’s website at www.boardofwatersupply.com/iadww.

About the Board of Water Supply
The Board of Water Supply (BWS), a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu, manages Oahu’s municipal water resources and distribution system. As the largest water utility in the State, the BWS serves approximately one million customers on Oahu. The BWS embraces its mission of “Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola” to provide a safe, dependable, and affordable water supply, now and into the future.  Uwē  ka lani, ola ka honua – “When the heavens weep, the earth lives.” For more information about the BWS, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com.

About the City Department of Environmental Services
The Department of Environmental Services (ENV) manages O‘ahu’s wastewater resources and opala, which includes trash, recycling and green waste collection and disposal. Every day ENV collects and treats about 107 million gallons of wastewater and gathers opala from our curbs six days a week.  ENV’s mission is to protect public health and the environment by providing effective and efficient management of wastewater and solid waste for the City and County of Honolulu.  ENV is serious about its responsibility to lay the best plans for the future, while working within fiscal constraints of the present to educate the public on measures protecting the public health and the environment.

About the City Department of Facility Maintenance - Storm Water Quality 
The mission of the SWQ Division is to empower and provide guidance for the public on effective ways to minimize our impact on water quality in order to protect public health and the beauty of Oahu. For more information about the SWQ Division and upcoming volunteer opportunities, please visit www.cleanwaterhonolulu.com.

About the City Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency
The Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency (Resilience Office) develops and integrates sustainable and environmental values into city plans, programs and policies. Through specific actions within the Resilience Strategy, https://resilientoahu.org/resilience-strategy, the Resilience Office supports City agencies in progressing the impacts and goals for conservation, recharge, and reuse within the Hawai‘i Freshwater Initiative.

About the State of Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources' Commission on Water Resource Management
The Commission on Water Resource Management (Commission) administers the State Water Code and our mission is to protect and manage the waters of the State of Hawai‘i for present and future generations.  There are seven members on the Commission, which is attached to the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources.  The Commission’s staff is comprised of the Planning, Ground Water Regulation, and Stream Protection and Management Branches.  Commission staff primary responsibilities are to implement and administer the programs and policies of the State Water Code through monitoring, long-range planning, permitting and other resource management strategies. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/cwrm/.

About the State of Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife
The mission of DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife is to responsibly manage and protect watersheds, native ecosystems, and cultural resources and provide outdoor recreation and sustainable forest products opportunities, while facilitating partnerships, community involvement and education. Mālama i ka ‘āina.

About the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resource
The founding college of the University of Hawaiʻi, CTAHR is the most diverse college in the UH system. From crop production to fashion design materials to molecular biosciences to natural resource conservation to human nutrition, all six departments within our college rely on water to thrive. We invite you to learn more at CTAHR.

About the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply
The Department of Water Supply is a semi-autonomous agency of the County Hawai‘i founded in 1949 and governed by the Water Board. DWS operates and maintains 23 public water systems that collectively supply water to approximately 45,000 accounts. Its mission is to “provide customers with an adequate and continuous supply of safe drinking water in a financially responsible manner, comply with all relevant standards, and assist and facilitate development of water systems in areas not currently served.”

About the Kaua’i Department of Water
"The Kaua’i Department of Water, a semi-autonomous agency of the County of Kaua’i manages Kaua’i’s drinking water services, resources and distribution systems.  Its mission statement, “Together, we provide safe, affordable and sufficient drinking water through wise management of our resources and with excellent customer service for the people of Kaua’i” is embraced by the Department, its employees and the Board of Water Supply Members.”

About the Maui County Department of Water Supply
Established in 1949, the Maui Department of Water Supply is an agency of the County of Maui. We provide water that meets all state and federal water quality standards and continuously work toward our mission, "to provide clean water efficiently.”

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A photo is attached for your consideration and use and is courtesy of the Board of Water Supply.

Contact:

Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Information Officer
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319