Proposed Hawaii State Legislation for Warning Labels on Spearguns and PoleSpears (HB1765, HD1)
Understanding why you should never dive alone and how proper buddy protocols have saved countless lives in Hawaii’s waters.
News
FreediveSafe Earns Gold Level of Transparency from Candid.org
We’re thrilled to announce that Freedivesafe (DBA FreediveSafe! Hawai’i) has been awarded the Gold Level of Transparency by Candid.org! This recognition reflects our deep commitment to financial transparency and accountability in everything we do. At FreediveSafe! Hawai’i, we believe our community deserves to see exactly how their support helps us advance ocean safety education and … Read more
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 … Read more
Celebrating Community at the 2024 Hawaiʻi Diver Ho‘olaule‘a
In 2024, FreediveSafe Hawaiʻi proudly hosted the Hawaiʻi Diver Ho‘olaule‘a at La’i’opua 2020, a community gathering that brought together divers, spearfishers, families, and ocean enthusiasts to celebrate our shared connection to the sea. The event was created to honor Hawaiʻi’s ocean traditions while highlighting the importance of safety, sustainability, and community in freediving and spearfishing. … Read more
FreediveSafe and Justin Lee on Hi Now Daily
FreediveSafe! Hawaii’s Board President recently appeared on HI Now Daily to highlight the importance of freediving safety skills—especially as divers head into the busy summer season. The segment emphasized how essential proper training, buddy systems, and safety drills are for all divers, from beginners to experienced freedivers. By reaching viewers through a popular local platform, … Read more
SPEARING MAGAZINE ARTICLE – FREEDIVESAFE! HAWAI’I: INTO THE DEPTHS OF COMMUNITY CHANGE WITH JUSTIN LEE
Poised, perceptive, preparing his next move; he eyes his target with encyclopedic knowledge of Hawaii’s elaborate reefs. But contrary to his well-disguised, aloof demeanor underwater, today, National Spearfishing Champion and revered Honoka‘a native Justin Lee finds himself vividly seen, He’s not underwater, and he’s not hunting fish. Standing inside a classroom in Waimea, Hawaii before … Read more
Free Range American Article – Freedive Safe Hawaii: Saving Kids and Changing Lives
In Hawaii and many other ocean-centered cultures, freediving is a way of life. Learning to become one with the water and rely on it for sustenance — both physical and spiritual — is very much a rite of passage. But it’s also dangerous to the inexperienced or overzealous and many young lives have been lost … Read more
Waimea, Big Island Safety Training Event – May 28, 2022
USA National Spearfishing Champion Justin Lee returns from his outdoor adventure travels to lead another youth event at Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) on May 28, 2022. This safety training is free and open to the public for 12- to 25-year-old Hawaii island residents. It will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the HPA … Read more
Big Island Youth Spearfishing Safety Training Hilo
A huge thank you to our students for joining us in Hilo! We were impressed with your dedication to learning, and even though it was a long day, you worked hard, and everyone passed the course! Twenty-one safer spearfishers on the Big Island of Hawai’i! Now you need to promise us and your ‘ohana that … Read more
FREEDIVESAFE! HOSTS SUCCESSFUL YOUTH EVENT IN KONA
On July 31–August 1, FreediveSafe hosted a hugely successful spearfishing safety event for 21 local youth in Kona, Hawai‘i. The students came from all over the Big Island, from Mountain View to Hamakua, and completed a Freediving Safety course with instructors Heidi Hoover and Sandra Hammel. Big Island native and USA spearfishing team member Justin … Read more
