FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hawaiian Lifeguard Association Launches Island-Wide Water Safety Education Program for Kauaʻi Second Graders
Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi — The Hawaiian Lifeguard Association (HLA) is proud to announce the launch of a new island-wide water safety education program that will reach every second grade classroom on Kauaʻi. Made possible through generous support from the Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation, the initiative will provide water safety books and in-person classroom instruction to approximately 838 second grade students across public, private, and charter schools.
The initiative is closely connected to HLA’s recently released children’s book, The Hawaiian Lifeguard, written by Kauaʻi lifeguard Kalani Vierra. The book introduces young readers to ocean safety and lifeguarding and is part of HLA’s broader strategy to create sustainable funding for long-term water safety education programs. The Hawaiian Lifeguard is available through the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association website at www.hawaiianlifeguardassociation.org and through Amazon, with proceeds from book sales supporting HLA’s water safety education programs statewide.
The program will deliver HLA’s SAFcE (Safety Aquatic Family & Community Education) workshops in approximately 42 second grade classrooms across the island. Each class will receive a set of children’s books along with an engaging water safety lesson led by professional lifeguards. Workshops will be conducted either in the classroom or at a nearby pool or beach, depending on the school’s preference.
The curriculum focuses on foundational water safety concepts appropriate for second-grade learners, including risk assessment, how to self-save in the water, recognizing dangerous conditions, activating emergency help such as calling 911, and awareness of hands-only CPR. The program emphasizes safety in both oceans and pools and reinforces the importance of always having a responsible adult present.
“This is an incredibly exciting milestone for water safety education in Hawaiʻi,” said Kirsten Hermstad, Executive Director of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. “Because of the Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation’s support, we are able to reach every second grader on Kauaʻi at a critical age when children begin to retain safety knowledge and develop lifelong habits around water.”
“We are proud and grateful to partner with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association to bring water safety education to community youth,” said Rob Williams of the Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation. “It is important we continue the mission of identifying the risks associated with the ocean and provide quality education to prevent further injuries and reduce the number of drownings worldwide. We are thankful for the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association who supports these missions and show the value and enjoyment of what the ocean can be to all who use it.”The need for early water safety education is significant in Hawaiʻi. According to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–15 in the state, and Hawaiʻi has the second-highest resident drowning rate in the nation. Even more concerning, less than 2% of Hawaiʻi’s second graders currently have the basic skills needed to avoid or recover from drowning.
These statistics were a driving force behind the 2025 Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan, developed by the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition in collaboration with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. The plan identifies early, age-appropriate water safety education as one of the most effective strategies for preventing drowning and aquatic injuries statewide.
“Living in Hawaiʻi means our keiki grow up surrounded by water,” said Kalani Vierra, Kauaʻi lifeguard and author of The Hawaiian Lifeguard. “Giving children the skills to recognize risk, stay calm, and self-save in the water can make the difference between a close call and a tragedy. Teaching these lessons early helps build a culture of water safety that protects our communities.”
The Kauaʻi program will serve as a pilot model for a future statewide rollout, with the goal of ensuring that every second-grade student in Hawaiʻi receives age-appropriate water safety education in the coming years.
“This is a huge win for our keiki, our schools, and our communities,” Hermstad added. “We are deeply grateful to the Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation for helping us take this important step toward a safer Hawaiʻi.”
Community members interested in supporting water safety education or purchasing The Hawaiian Lifeguard childrenʻs book can learn more at www.hawaiianlifeguardassociation.org.
About the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association
The Hawaiian Lifeguard Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting professional lifeguards and promoting water safety education throughout Hawaiʻi. HLA works to reduce drownings and aquatic injuries through training, advocacy, and community-based education programs.
www.hawaiianlifeguardassociation.org
About the Ben Carson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation
The Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation was formed in the wake of Newport Beach Lifeguard Ben Carlson’s final rescue that claimed his life in July 2014. Taking into consideration the things that truly mattered to Ben, the BCMSF goal is to have a long lasting impact in our local communities and around the world. www.bencarlsonfoundation.org
Media Contact
Hawaiian Lifeguard Association
executivedirector@hawaiianlifeguardassociation.org
808-977-0773
