Big Island residents among nominees for US service academies
U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) have nominated more than 100 Hawaii students to attend one of the nation’s four service academies: the United States Air Force Academy, United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy and United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Four of the nominees are from the Big Island. Nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy are: Holualoa resident and Hawaii Preparatory Academy student Jared Barrett; Kapaau resident and Kohala High School student Grace Todd; Hilo resident and Kamehameha Schools Hawaii student Karl Hanson; and Isaac Juan, a Keaau High School student.
“These young people are dedicated to serving our nation in uniform after years of hard work, community engagement, academic excellence, a commitment to physical fitness and outstanding personal character. I am proud to nominate them to our nation’s military service academies,” Hirono said of the Class of 2025. “Each of these candidates, should they be selected, will be excellent representatives of and for Hawaii and our community.”
Applicants were considered based on their ability to meet undergraduate education and training demands, as well as their leadership skills through athletics and other organizations, and overall commitment to the military, community and country. Nominees will now be considered for appointment by the U.S. Service Academies.
Entries sought for keiki poster contest
The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is accepting entries for its third annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest open to Big Island students who attend kindergarten through the fifth grade.
March 31 is the deadline to submit an original artwork expressing this year’s theme of “Do Your Part, Be Water Smart” on a flat, 11- by 17-inch paper. Any medium may be used, except for 3-D renderings, chalk, charcoal and oil-based crayon. No computer graphics or photographs will be accepted. There is no charge to enter.
Each poster submission should be accompanied by a completed entry form available online at www.hawaiidws.org, via email by contacting dws@hawaiidws.org or by calling DWS weekdays at (808) 961-8050.
To reduce in-person contact due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, contest entries should be mailed to or dropped off in designed bins at DWS’ offices in Hilo, Kona or Waimea. Address locations and additional contest rules are listed online.
The free contest aims to highlight the importance of water conservation and why drinking water supplies must be protected and preserved. It challenges keiki to utilize artistic ways of conserving our most precious resource – safe drinking water. Conservation ideas, including the video “Save Water to Help the Earth,” are posted under the “Conservation” link at www.hawaiidws.org.
Prizes will be awarded to the first- and second-place entrants from each grade level, as chosen by a panel of judges, for a maximum total of 12 winners islandwide.