Winners of 8th annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest announced

Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply announces winners of this year’s 8th annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest.

Nearly 400 Hawai‘i Island students entered the 2026 contest.

This year’s contest theme was “Make Every Drop Count,” emphasizing the importance of conserving drinking water, which is connected to the county Department of Water Supply mission to provide customers with an adequate and continuous supply of safe drinking water in a financially responsible manner.

Poster entries — open to students in grades K-6 — were judged based on creativity, originality and depiction of the theme.

Top finishers from each grade were awarded prizes and honored for their exemplary artwork.

Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply extends its appreciation to all the students and their teachers for learning about water conservation and taking the time to participate in the 2026 contest.

Congratulations to the following keiki for sharing their amazing artwork.

Kindergarten

• First place: John Olson, homeschooler; parent: Patricia Olson.

First grade

• First place: Elina Pyhala, homeschooler; parent: Leona Pyhala.
• Second place: Taylor Jean Rapozo, Kanu o ka ʻĀina New Century Charter School; teacher: Hayden Atkins.
• Third place: Atlas Van Brunt, Innovations Public Charter School; teacher: Corey Cherry.

Second grade

• First place: Kaliho Kitahara, homeschooler; parent: Makanui Kitahara.
• Second place: Malulani Taketa, E.B. deSilva Elementary School; teacher: Coty Miguel.
• Third place: Emi Miyashiro, E.B. deSilva Elementary School; teacher: Brittany Kodama.

Third grade

• First place: Aria Sofio, E.B. deSilva Elementary School; teacher: Kristen Doolittle.
• Second place: Braxtyn Victorino, Kea‘au Elementary School; teacher: Anna Maneja.
• Third place: Halia Aiu-Horie-Akui, Kea‘au Elementary School; teachers: Cheryl Yoshioka, Aysha Spencer.

Fourth grade

• First place: Parker-Jean Hashimoto, E.B. deSilva Elementary School; teacher: Tracie Yamashita.
• Second place: Chloe Tagalicud, Kea‘au Elementary School; teacher: Amanda Muñoz.
• Third place: Callen Ginoza, E.B. deSilva Elementary School; teacher: Jaimie Himalaya.

Fifth grade

• First place: Emi Kobayashi, Waiākeawaena Elementary School; teacher: Lane Matsuura.
• Second place: Emily Creekmur, Waiākeawaena Elementary School; teacher: Lane Matsuura.
• Third place: Quentin Bassett, Waiākeawaena Elementary School, teacher: Lane Matsuura.

Sixth grade

• First place: Tylee Adele Rapozo, Kanu o ka ʻĀina New Century Charter School; teacher: Hayden Atkins.

Visit the Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply website to view all of this year’s poster entries.

Posters from the top finishers also are on public display through June 30 at the Aupuni Center, located at 101 Pauahi St,, in Hilo.