Neighbor Island water partners join Kaua`i to host 'Make a Splash'
LIHUE – Water partners from the neighbor islands along with Kauai-based water agencies joined the Department of Water (DOW) to host the state’s largest and only water education festival, the Make a Splash with Project WET (Water Education Today) Festival at the Vidinha Stadium soccer field in Lihue on Friday, Sept. 15th.
“This event is an inspiring demonstration of teamwork, educational connections and the value of water,” said Jonell Kaohelauli’i, DOW’s Information and Education Specialist and Project WET Hawaii's state coordinator. “Water agencies from across the state come together to help teach and inspire students, offering them the knowledge and experience that promotes critical thinking to make informed decisions about how they can contribute to wise water use and environmental stewardship."
DOW hosted 562 fifth grade students and included more than 240 volunteers over a 2-day period at this year's festival. Participating volunteer groups included representatives from their neighbor island offices and state agencies from Kaua`i, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii island.
‘Make a Splash’ brings together parents, students, teachers, government agencies, local water organizations and businesses to raise awareness for water education and conservation. Students participate in dynamic hands-on activities, games and educational exhibits and learn how this vital natural resource affects water-dependent activities including agriculture, recreation, groundwater, local industries and wildlife habitats. The festival features activities from Project WET, an award-winning curriculum of water education activities, in addition to partner-sponsored activities from local organizations. This year, DOW featured 8 Project WET activities and 3 partner-guided activities from Aqua Engineers, Inc., Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
DOW would like to thank the following water partners for their commitment to water education and their commendable efforts towards making this year’s ‘Make a Splash’ a success: Aqua Engineers, Inc., American Water Works Association-Hawaii Section, Bowers and Kubota, LLC., Carollo Engineers, Inc., DLNR – Aquatic Resources, DLNR – Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Health- Safe Drinking Water Branch, East and West Kaua`i Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Grove Farm Land Corporation, Hawaii Rural Water Association, Hawaii Water Environmental Association, NOAA – Marine Animal Rescue Program, Kapa’a High School JROTC Program, Kaua`i Bus, Kaua`i Farm Bureau, UH-CTAHR, Kaua`i Community College – Early Childhood Education Program, Kodani and Associates Engineers, LLC., The Nature Conservancy, Uncle Tilo’s Clean Water, LLC. and participating DOW staff and retirees.
Additional event photos will be posted soon to the DOW's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KauaiDOW.
For more information about Project WET Hawaii or the DOW’s education and outreach program, please call 808-245-5455 or email publicrelations@kauaiwater.org.
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 A fifth grader from Wilcox Elementary reacts to her clay pot eco system being damaged by a natural disaster demonstrated by cracking the pot, during one of Project WET’s activities.
 Hawaii Rural Water Association’s staff arrived from Molokai, Hawaii Island, Oahu and Maui to participate in ‘Make a Splash’.
 Students from Kalaheo Elementary School use the DOW’s water station to refill their reusable water bottles during the water festival.
 1 of 3 classes from Ele’ele Elementary School at the water education festival
 Student experience life as an o'opu fish in the DLNR's O'opu obstacle course
 Volunteers from Bowers and Kubota, LLC. representing their Maui, Oahu and Kaua`i offices gathered for a team photo after their first experience at ‘Make a Splash’.
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