Keiki Draw, Write About Water

Four area keiki were among 42 Oahu students recognized for excellence in the Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) 2013 Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry Contests.

“The quality and creativity of the entries we received continue to exceed our expectations,” said BWS chairman Duane Miyashiro. “The winning students demonstrated a clear understanding of the contest theme and the need to incorporate sustainable practices into our everyday lives.”

Sixth-graders Alema Lowe of Kapolei Middle School, Cindy Tsou of Kapolei Middle and Elijah Jan Banasihan of Ewa Elementary School took first, second and third place, respectively, in the fifth- and sixth-grade category for the poster contest.

Ninth-grader Ariel Faumuina of Calvary Chapel Christian School won fourth place in the ninth- and 10th-grade category of the poetry contest.

The contests aim to educate children about water conservation – and encourage them to be a part of the solutions.

“This contest is an excellent way to educate the community about protecting our precious island resources,” stated Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

“These students are helping to set the groundwork for future generations by conveying the importance of conservation through their fine works of art and poetry.”

“It is great to see that Oahu’s schoolchildren understand the value of water and the need to conserve it for this generation and into the future,” BWS manager and chief engineer Ernest Y.W. Lau added.

All winning and honorable mention artwork and poems will be on exhibit from July 2 to July 25 at Kapolei Hale, as well as other locations around the island.

Winning pieces also will be featured in the Board of Water Supply’s 2014 Water Conservation Calendar, which will be available for the public at the end of the year. Entries also can be viewed at boardofwatersupply.com/cssweb.