SUPPORTING THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HAWAIʻI WATER SAFETY COALITION'S HAWAIʻI WATER SAFETY PLAN.

This Senate Resolution expresses legislative support for the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition's comprehensive water safety plan, which aims to address the state's high drowning rates and reduce drowning deaths among children and visitors. The resolution urges state agencies, including the Department of Health and Department of Land and Natural Resources, to collaborate with the coalition to implement key recommendations such as establishing the coalition as a central water safety authority, expanding funding for drowning prevention programs, and improving safety measures at pools and flood control structures. The plan also calls for culturally competent water safety education, free swimming lessons for children, and better access to public pools in underserved communities, while encouraging compliance with national pool safety standards.