SR 72: encouraging the department of education to offer a basic swimming course in either primary or secondary education levels.

SENATE RESOLUTION

encouraging the department of education to offer a basic swimming course in either primary or secondary education levels.

     WHEREAS, the State currently has the second highest rate of deaths by drowning for residents in the country and drowning is the leading cause of death for children in the State; and

     WHEREAS, the State's high cost of living leaves many parents without the time or financial resources to ensure that their children acquire water safety and swimming skills; and

     WHEREAS, the absence of equitable swim education in the State has increased the rate of drownings and has left many keiki without the skills necessary to safely enjoy the water; and

     WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States National Water Safety Action Plan, increasing access to basic swimming and water safety skills training for all persons could reduce disparities in unintentional drowning deaths; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education is encouraged to offer a basic swimming course in either primary or secondary education levels; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education and Chairperson of the Board of Education.

Report Title: 

DOE; Swimming; Primary and Secondary Education Levels; Swimming Course