Aquatic Safety & Rescue Skills Program – Maui Ocean Currents

We consistently hear from our kūpuna across the islands about the importance of teaching our young divers to understand ocean currents.

It’s easy to say, “Ask a local,” or “Talk to a lifeguard,” but we asked ourselves: What is our role as educators in building that awareness?

With guidance from Mel Puʻu of Mākaha Beach, we began exploring existing ocean current resources by PacIOOS and bringing them into our classrooms to complement the invaluable local knowledge shared by our communities.

These are two examples of the animated current maps we’re incorporating into the FreediveSafe Aquatic Safety & Rescue Skills Program. They help students visualize how ocean currents can change around each island with tides, seasons, and lunar cycles, building a stronger foundation in ocean awareness.

Our goal isn’t to replace local knowledge—it’s to prepare students to ask informed questions, recognize that conditions are constantly changing, and understand why seeking local advice before entering the water is an essential part of safe decision-making.

When education and community knowledge come together, we empower the next generation to make safer choices in Hawaiʻi’s ocean.