Funding for Waikīkī dryland water safety education program

Deliver dryland water safety education for visitor and resident children in Waikīkī, primarily at the beach parks and participating hotels, through a partnership between the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition, the ZAC Foundation and local nonprofits. The program would teach the A, B, C & Ds of water safety through engaging, age-appropriate dryland lessons for children in grades K-3, consistent with the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan's emphasis on prevention, education and shared responsibility.

Supporting context: the initiative advances recommendations outlined in the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan, which received legislative support through a concurrent resolution in 2026. Drowning remains the leading cause of visitor injury deaths in Hawaiʻi and the leading cause of death for resident children ages 1 to 15. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander children are drowning at 3x the rate. Research shows that fewer than 2% of Hawaiʻi's children have the water competency skills necessary to protect themselves in and around the water, highlighting the urgent need for expanded access to swimming and water safety education.

Rationale: reaching families before they enter the ocean, beaches and pools supports sustainable tourism by reducing preventable water emergencies, improving visitor safety and helping protect emergency response resources, while strengthening Hawaiʻi's reputation as a safe, family-friendly destination and encouraging responsible enjoyment of the islands' ocean and recreation resources.