FreediveSafe! Hawaii at Ho’akea Kona 2025: Teaching Freedive Safety and Stewardship in the Ocean

On September 25-26, 2025, FreediveSafe! Hawaii was deeply honored to participate in Ho‘akea Kona 2025, a Hawai‘i Department of Education–sponsored event organized by La‘i‘ōpua 2020. The gathering brought together more than 750 Hawai‘i Island students, inviting them to explore hands-on educational experiences rooted in kuleana (responsibility) and guided by 18 Wa‘a and ʻĀina-based organizations.

At the heart of FreediveSafe’s involvement were our 30-minute freediving safety workshops, where students learned foundational practices for safe diving. Central to each session was the simple yet life-saving reminder: Never take your eyes off your dive buddy.

These lessons emphasized that safety in the ocean is a shared responsibility—one built on trust, awareness, and care for one another. By reinforcing these principles early, we hope to instill habits that make every dive not only safe but deeply respectful of the sea.

Beyond freediving safety, we also shared our passion for ocean stewardship. Students explored practical ways to protect and care for Hawai‘i’s reefs and marine life, including:

• Removing rubbish from nearshore waters

• Reporting unusual marine sightings

• Choosing sustainable species to harvest, such as Ta‘ape

• Watching out for others while in the water

Through this blend of safety education and environmental awareness, FreediveSafe! Hawaii encouraged students to see diving as more than a sport—it’s a way of connecting with the ocean through responsibility and respect.

We’re grateful to La‘i‘ōpua 2020 and the Hawai‘i Department of Education for creating this powerful opportunity to connect with young learners. Ho‘akea Kona 2025 was an inspiring reminder that the future of our islands lies in the hands—and hearts—of a generation ready to care for our waters with skill, knowledge, and aloha.