Winners announced for 7th Annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster contest on Big Island

More than 200 students from Hawai‘i Island’s public, charter, private and home schools displayed their water conservation knowledge and artistic creativity by entering the 7^th Annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest.

The event held by the county Department of Water Supply was open to kindergarteners through six graders, with 12 schools participating.

This year’s theme was “Being Water Wise Is …” It emphasized the importance of conserving drinking water to protect and preserve the island’s most precious resource now and for future generations. 

Poster entries were judged, and the top three finishers from each grade level, provided there were sufficient entries, were awarded prizes and recognition. 

The top finishers’ posters are on public display through June 30 at the county’s Aupuni Center, located at 101 Pauahi Street in Hilo.  To view all the poster entries, click here.

The Department of Water Supply also plans to feature select entries in its 2026 calendar. 

Here are the winners:

Kindergarten:

• 1^st Place:  Atlas Marian Van Brunt, Innovations Public Charter School; teacher, Catherine Hawkins
• 2^nd Place:  Judah Crum, Christian Liberty Academy; teacher, Ann Lorenzo
• 3^rd Place:  Taylor Rapozo, Ka Oha Kanu o ka ʻĀina New Century Blended Learning Program; teacher, Kait Atkins

 1st Grade:

• 1^st Place:  Chelsea Mae Agustin, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Elementary;  teacher, Martha Prieskorn
• 2^nd Place:  Anastasia K.N. Nunes-Kansou, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Elementary; teacher, Martha Prieskorn
• 3^rd Place:  Logan Vana, St. Joseph Elementary; teacher:  Alaina Fuata

  2nd Grade:

• 1^st Place:  Maia Gers, Waimea Elementary; teacher, Georgianne Lawson
• 2^nd Place:  Miley Thomas, Kohala Elementary; teacher, Mary Jane Sulliban
• 3^rd Place:  Kahale Pacheco-Winchester, Christian Liberty Academy; teacher, Ann Lorenzo

 3rd Grade:                                                                                                                      

• 1^st Place:  Jack Olson, Homeschooler; parent, Patricia Olson
• 2^nd Place:  Heidi Younger, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Elementary; teacher, Tiari Carreira
• 3^rd Place:  Bentley Cabalis, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Elementary; teacher, Tiari Carreira

4th Grade:

• 1^st Place:  Ava Sarme-Grove, Kohala Elementary;  teacher, Tiphani K. Kainoa
• 2^nd Place:  Wan Qi Zheng, St. Joseph Elementary; teacher, Alaina Fuata
• 3^rd Place:  Madison Mendrun, Christian Liberty Academy; teacher, Ann Lorenzo

5th Grade:

• 1^st Place:  Raya Olival, Heartlight Montessori Homeschool; teacher, Miranda Lewitsky
• 2^nd Place:  Manu Olival, Heartlight Montessori Homeschool; teacher, Miranda Lewitsky

6th Grade:

• 1^st Place:  Maddison Tilini, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Elementary; teacher, Asia Castillo
• 2^nd Place:  Noah Douglas Isom, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Elementary; teacher, Asia Castillo

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