DOW makes a splash with water festival for Kauaʻiʻs fifth graders
LĪHUE – The Department of Water (DOW) hosted the 20th annual Make a Splash with Project WET water education festival on September 19 at the North Vidinha Soccer Fields, engaging approximately 660 fifth-grade students from various schools across the island. Project WET, which stands for Water Education Today, is a curriculum designed to empower educators to engage youth to understand water and solve local and global challenges. The hands-on, investigative activities prepare students for water resource challenges of this century. Project WET is based on the Common Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards and STEM Educational Coalition objectives.
“DOW is committed to educating our young people on the issue of water,” stated Joe Tait, DOWʻs Manager and Chief Engineer. “We hope to inspire them to protect, conserve, and best manage Kauaʻiʻs water resources for generations to come.”
The following schools participated in the event:
- Eleʻele Elementary School
- Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School
- Hanalei Elementary School
- Island School
- Kanuikapono Public Charter School
- Kapaʻa Elementary School
- Kauaʻi Christian Academy
- Kekaha Elementary School
- Kīlauea Elementary School
- King Kaumualiʻi Elementary School
- Kōloa Elementary School
This year’s Make a Splash with Project WET featured eight different activity stations guided by the Project WET Foundation’s curriculum. Students learned about important topics such as the movement of water through the water cycle, source pollution, groundwater extraction, water management challenges, the impact of water consumption on the local water supply, waterʻs adhesive and cohesive properties, environmental restoration, marine mammal rescue and response, water conservation, and the concept of an individualʻs “water footprint.”
DOW employees worked tirelessly to make sure that this year’s event was both successful and impactful for the students. The effort is always worthwhile when the smiles are seen on the students’ faces. One of the most popular activities is “The Long Haul.” In this relay race, students compete while carrying buckets of water, and by the end, everyone ends up soaked. Itʻs a fantastic way to have fun and create lasting memories.
DOW expresses gratitude to the 2025 partner agencies of Make a Splash with Project WET
- Aqua Engineers
- Catholic Charities of Hawaiʻi
- City and County of Honolulu – Stormwater Quality Division
- Department of Land and Natural Resources – Division of Aquatic Resources
- Department of Land and Natural Resources – Division of Forestry and Wildlife
- East & West Kauaʻi Soil & Water Conservation Districts
- Grove Farm
- The Hawai’i Community Foundation
- Hawaiʻi Department of Health – Safe Water Drinking Branch
- Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation
- Hawaiʻi Department of Water Supply
- Hawaiʻi Rural Water Association (HRWA)
- The Hawaiʻi Water Environment Association (HWEA)
- Kapaʻa High School Junior ROTC Program (JROTC)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Kauaʻi Marine Mammal Response Program
- The Nature Conservancy
This year, Make a Splash with Project WET received support from a grant provided by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. With this funding, DOW aims to enhance community engagement through increased educational outreach focused on water conservation awareness and behaviors.
For further information, please contact the Department of Water at 808-245-5461 or publicrelations@kauaiwater.org.
Kapaʻa High Schoolʻs Junior ROTC program at DOWʻs 2025 Make a Splash.
Joe Tait, DOWʻs Manager and Chief Engineer, speaks at the 20th Annual Make a Splash.
A student participates in The Long Haul activity, part of the Project WET curriculum.
###