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Strengthening Ocean Safety: FreediveSafe! Hawaii Recognized in Hawaii Water Safety Plan
FreediveSafe! Hawaiʻi is honored to be featured as a case study in the new Hawaii Water Safety Plan (HWSP), “I palekana kākou ma ka wai” (“Let us be safe in the water”). The plan, released in February 2025, provides a roadmap to reduce drowning and water-related deaths across the islands. By highlighting FreediveSafe as an example, the HWSP recognizes the importance of addressing freediving and spearfishing safety—activities that are deeply rooted in our island culture but carry serious risks.
Since our founding in 2020, we have worked to make freediving safety training accessible to everyone in Hawaiʻi. Our free education workshops and events give students the knowledge and skills to prevent shallow-water blackout, respond to emergencies, and practice safe buddy diving. Drowning remains the leading cause of death for Hawaiʻi’s keiki between the ages of 1 and 15 years. At the same time, spearfishing is becoming increasingly popular among our youth, who are seeking more sustainable ways to provide food for their families and connect with the ocean. This growing interest makes safety education more important than ever.
Being included in the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan and serving as a member of the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition affirms the value of this work and strengthens our commitment to protecting our communities. FreediveSafe! Hawaiʻi will continue to provide education and outreach so that every diver, from keiki to kūpuna, can enjoy the ocean safely and return home to their families.
Learn more about how to get involved and support water safety in Hawaiʻi at
https://hiwatersafetycoalition.org/
Mahalo to the leadership of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and Hawaiian Lifeguard Association.
