‘Imagine a Day Without Water’

LIHU‘E — Washing hands with soap and running water is one of the controls in the spread of the novel coronavirus.

How would this be done in “Imagine a Day Without Water?”

Earlier in the school year, the COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the county Department of Water Project WET (Water Education Today) Make A Splash water-education event for hundreds of fourth-grade students on the island.

“We had to cancel the Make A Splash event because of the pandemic,” said Jonell Kaohelauli‘i, the DOW spokesperson. “That meant stepping up our community-outreach efforts. This free water-education-activity kit is just part of that increased effort where we already distributed more than a hundred kits to the Boys &Girls Club of Hawai‘i. We have a lot more for people driving through.”

The drive-thru effort is part of the DOW’s celebration of the national Imagine a Day Without Water event observed nationally on Oct. 21.

Imagine a Day Without Water recognizes the essential efforts done by water and wastewater systems to keep clean water flowing throughout the days of the threat from the novel coronavirus pandemic. Led by the Value Water Campaign, Imagine a Day Without Water also is an opportunity for everyone to talk about what and why water is important.

Kaua‘i County Councilmember Luke Evslin, a bottle of cold water strapped around his waist during his morning bicycle ride with his son, was one of the first to stop for the free activity kit.

“The water-activity kits are a great way to introduce water education during the fall break,” said Jason Fujinaka, DOW information specialist. “Students and their families learn about the importance of water in our everyday lives by participating in the interactive activities.”

The free kits included a Project Water Education Today activity booklet with interactive water lessons, a five-minute shower timer, a collapsible water bottle, low-flow household fixtures including a showerhead and kitchen faucet aerator, a notebook, pencils and other supplies packed in a reusable backpack.

In addition to the activity-kit giveaway, the DOW is hosting a special Facebook campaign through the month of October, featuring educational Imagine a Day Without Water-related posts, and a Value Water Challenge.

All water users are invited to take the Value Water Challenge on Facebook by sharing a video, or written post, answering the question, “Why is water important to you?”

Participants in the challenge may include the hash tags #ValueWaterKauai, and #IADWWKauai on their post for an opportunity to be seen and featured on the DOW Facebook page, facebook.com/KauaiDOW.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Source: The Garden Island