HI HCR219

Urges the Department of Education to contract with a qualified nonprofit organization to establish an aquatic safety education program for elementary school students.

Notes that drowning was the leading cause of injury-related death for Hawaii children between 2014 and 2018, with 96 percent of child drownings occurring among resident children.

Cites that less than 10 percent of public and public charter elementary schools currently integrate aquatic safety education into their physical education curriculums.

References a 2018-2019 Hawaii Aquatics Academy assessment finding that only 31 percent of students could swim 25 yards, 12 percent could float for 30 seconds, and 13 percent could tread water for 60 seconds.

Directs transmission of certified copies to the Superintendent and Chairperson of the Board of Education.