Strengthening Water Safety Through Community-Based Research

Water is heavily intertwined with the culture and community of Hawai‘i. It is a source of food, connection, culture, and identity. Surfing, canoe paddling, fishing, diving, and swimming are deeply rooted in everyday life across our islands. Yet drowning remains a major concern, especially among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, keiki, and visitors unfamiliar with local ocean conditions. Hawai‘i has the second-highest drowning rate in the nation, and drowning is the leading cause of death for keiki. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities also experience disproportionately high drowning rates.

Many drowning prevention efforts focus on individual behaviors, but less attention has been given to the broader cultural, historical, and systemic factors that influence water safety. Access to swim lessons, perceptions of risk, intergenerational knowledge, and experiences with aquatic spaces can vary significantly between communities due to income, transportation, program availability, language access, and historical relationships with water recreation. Understanding these different perspectives is essential for developing prevention strategies that reflect the actual needs of Hawai‘i communities, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

HIPHI’s research team, Dr. May Rose Dela Cruz and Kirsten Hernandez, are partnering with Dr. Bridget Velasco, a drowning prevention researcher on Maui, for a CDC Foundation-funded study examining the cultural, historical, and systemic factors that shape water safety experiences in Hawai‘i. The project engages Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino communities through conversations and focus groups on O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island, as well as key informant interviews with local partners and ocean stakeholders to identify prevention strategies that are meaningful, respectful, and practical. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences, beliefs, and concerns related to water safety, exploring topics such as ocean knowledge, family traditions, barriers to swim education, and trusted ways of communicating water safety information within their communities.

Findings from this research will guide future drowning prevention recommendations and community education efforts tailored to Hawai’i’s diverse communities. By centering community voices throughout the research process, HIPHI aims to develop  prevention strategies that reflect the values, experiences, and priorities of those most impacted, and that help keep Hawai‘i families and communities safe in and around the water.