Home / Disasters and Accidents / Drowning Deaths Spur Hawaii to Revive Safety Task Force
Drowning Deaths Spur Hawaii to Revive Safety Task Force
8 Jan
Summary
- State revives task force after 13 years with no new beach signs.
- Over 800 drownings occurred in Hawaii over the last decade.
- New efforts focus on education, swimming lessons, and better signage.
Hawaii is set to re-establish its Beach and Water Safety Task Force, a move prompted by over 800 drownings in the past decade and a lack of new warning signs for over 13 years. Water safety advocates and bereaved families have been pressuring the state to address the growing risks, particularly on remote coastlines. The Department of Land and Natural Resources is reviving the task force, which last met in 2012, to improve safety measures and fulfill its legal mandate to warn the public of dangers like rip currents.
Recent efforts show a renewed focus on ocean safety, including the release of Hawaii's first Water Safety Plan and increased investment in drowning prevention and swimming lessons, a crucial step as many children lack basic swimming skills. This comes amid a concerning trend of residential drownings, which have historically received less attention than those involving tourists. The revival of the task force is seen as a significant win by safety advocates, although many express frustration over the prolonged inaction.
Officials are considering legislative changes to expand warning obligations beyond state and county beach parks, acknowledging that social media is driving people to previously unmonitored remote areas. Advanced technologies like geofencing and live alerts are also being discussed to provide more dynamic safety information. While the reinstatement of the task force is a positive step, experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive prevention strategy that goes beyond basic signage.
