HI HR28

Urges the Division of State Parks to assess potentially hazardous ocean conditions at beach parks before undertaking access improvements that increase usage.

Requires safety assessments to include local resident input, hospital distance information, and emergency medical services data to identify high-risk locations and past incidents.

Directs the Division to provide information about hazardous conditions at state beach parks on its website and in printed materials.

Cites Kua Bay as example where 2005 improvements increased visitation by inexperienced ocean users despite known rip tides and dangerous conditions, resulting in three drownings and 28 emergency calls since 2013.

Safety assessments should recommend whether lifeguard stations are necessary and whether access improvements should be made or avoided at specific locations.