The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply (DWS), is inviting Hawai‘i Island kindergarten through sixth grade students to enter its 5th Annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest. The free contest, which is open to sixth graders for the first time, aims to highlight the importance of reducing water waste and protecting drinking water supplies in addition to challenging keiki to utilize artistic ways of conserving safe drinking water.

Prizes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place entrants from each grade level as chosen by a panel of judges, for a maximum total of 14 winners islandwide.

The Department will announce winning entries at a future meeting of the Water Board of the County of Hawai‘i.

Contestants must submit an original artwork illustrating this year’s theme of “Our Water, Our Future, Conserve It” on a flat, 11- by 17-inch paper. Any medium may be used, except for three-dimensional renderings, chalk, charcoal and oil-based crayon. No computer graphics or photographs will be accepted.

Each poster entry must include the artist’s name in legible print. Submissions should be accompanied by a completed entry form which is available, at www.hawaiidws.org, via email by contacting dws@hawaiidws.org or by calling DWS at (808) 961-8050. The deadline to apply is is Friday, March 10.

Contest entries should be mailed to DWS in Hilo or dropped off in designated bins at DWS’ offices in Hilo, Kona or Waimea,