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For Immediate Release
October 24, 2023

Board of Water Supply Now Accepting Entries for 2024 Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry Contests

The Red Hill water contamination crisis is likely to have lingering, long-term environmental effects for years or even decades to come, impacting the quality of life for future generations of O‘ahu residents.

It has become increasingly important to educate O‘ahu youth about the importance of protecting fresh, potable water. The Board of Water Supply’s 2024 annual Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry Contests are valuable education tools. The 45th annual poster contest is open to O‘ahu students from kindergarten to grade six, and the 15th annual poetry contest is open to O‘ahu students from the seventh grade to high school seniors.

“Each year, we’re always amazed by the terrific art and poetry the students submit to us. We hope teachers encourage their students to participate in this extra-curricular activity because the challenges we’re facing today as a result of the Navy’s crisis adds another dimension of science and cultural learning for the students,” said Ernie Lau, the Board of Water Supply’s Manager and Chief Engineer. “Although we cannot promise that we will leave our island a better place for our youth, we can give them insights and opportunities to be better stewards and stronger advocates of protecting our precious wai. We look forward to seeing this year’s entries.”

The Board of Water Supply is accepting entries for the contests through February 28, 2024. Winning entries will be published in the 2025 Board of Water Supply calendar and, with the support of the sponsors, a total of $3,300 will be awarded to the top winners.

A panel of judges will evaluate the entries based on creativity, originality, and ability to effectively convey the contest theme of conserving fresh, drinking water.

Platinum-level sponsors of this year’s contests are Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union, Friends of Halāwa Xeriscape, Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union and Sodexo.

For full contest rules and requirements, entry form, and submission information, visit the Board of Water Supply website at https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/wcwcontest

“No water-conserving effort is too small. We all need to do our part to use our precious drinking water resources wisely and contribute toward a sustainable future,” Lau added. 

For more information about these annual contests or the calendar, contact the BWS Communications Office at (808) 748-5041 or contactus@hbws.org.

 

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, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com, follow @BWSHonolulu or like the BWS’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BWSHonolulu.

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Contact:

Keoni Mattos
Information Specialist
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5369