Hawaiʻi County DWS Launches 8th Keiki Poster Contest: Make Every Drop Count

The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply is calling on Hawaiʻi Island keiki in kindergarten through sixth grade to submit original artwork for the 8th annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest, themed “Make Every Drop Count.” Entries for the 2026 contest must be received no later than March 13, 2026, giving families and teachers a clear deadline to participate in a community-wide push to protect safe drinking water.

Poster entries must include a completed entry form, which is available on the Department of Water Supply website or by contacting the department directly at dws@hawaiidws.org or 808-961-8050 during regular working days. Submissions may be mailed to the department in Hilo or dropped off at DWS offices in Hilo, Kona or Waimea; the entry form lists specific mailing and drop-off addresses as well as contest rules and format requirements.

Mayor Kimo Alameda highlighted the dual purpose of the contest, celebrating youth talent while advancing civic stewardship. “This contest is a great way for our keiki to show their artistic skills, and we continue to be amazed by the incredible talent they show each year,” he said. “With this year’s theme, we are reminded that even small actions can make a big difference when we do them together, and I encourage all of us to think about how we can do our part to make every drop count.”

The Department of Water Supply will judge entries on creativity, inspiration and originality. DWS also maintains water conservation educational resources and archives of past contest winners under the Conservation section of its site, which educators and families can use to frame classroom projects or community workshops.

Keith Okamoto, DWS Manager-Chief Engineer, emphasized that the contest is both educational and reciprocal. “We look forward to this every year, as we are always so impressed with what our island keiki come up with,” he said. “We can often learn from our youth and look forward to them showing us how to make every drop count through their creative work.”

The contest arrives against a backdrop of ongoing water management challenges across the County, from seasonal restrictions to infrastructure planning. Engaging children in water literacy helps build long-term community resilience, reduces health risks tied to compromised water supplies, and spreads practical conservation habits across households. For families in rural communities and lower-income neighborhoods, where water security can be more fragile, youth-led awareness helps ensure policy discussions reflect everyday realities.

For parents, teachers and caregivers: download the entry form from the DWS site or request it by email at dws@hawaiidws.org or by calling 808-961-8050, prepare original artwork on the theme “Make Every Drop Count,” and submit by March 13, 2026. The contest is an opportunity for keiki to shape local conservation messages and for the community to center youth voices in protecting Hawaiʻi Island’s most vital public health resource, safe drinking water.