This is an Emergency

Between May and July 2020, Hawaiʻi’s freediving and spearfishing community suffered a heartbreaking loss: five divers, ranging in age from 15 to 52, tragically died while freediving at Kaʻena Point and Kaʻaʻawa on Oʻahu, Mahukona and Old A’s on the Big Island, and Paia on Maui. As the news unfolded, images of grieving families and friends appeared in the media, leaving our community reeling. The devastation was unbearable, and it became clear that something had to be done to make formal freediving and spearfishing safety training widely accessible and free to the public.

From these tragedies, FreediveSafe! Hawaiʻi was born. Our mission is to create sustainable, long-term change by offering a free community program that teaches safe freediving protocols proven to reduce the risks of this sport. By dramatically increasing the availability of lifesaving training, we can work together to prevent further tragedies and save lives across the islands.

At FreediveSafe! Hawaiʻi, we believe everyone who enters the water deserves the knowledge and skills to stay safe. Achieving this mission requires a community effort. You can help by encouraging a friend to register for a course, sharing our story, donating, or even displaying a FreediveSafe! Hawaiʻi sticker on your truck—every action makes a difference. Join us in spreading awareness, fostering safer practices, and together, let’s prevent freediving-related deaths in Hawaiʻi.

Niki Roderick-Stepanek
Founder, FreediveSafe! Hawaii
Ph: 808-900-3331
E: info@FreediveSafe.org