136 Hawaii Parent March/April 2026 iving in Hawaii, the glistening Pacific Ocean provides a plethora of recreational activities: swimming, surfing, boating, fishing, snorkeling, building sandcastles, and much more. However, the water also poses several risks. In fact, drowning is “the fifth leading cause of fatal injuries among Hawaii residents with an average of nearly 40 deaths per year,” according to the Hawaii Department of Health. “There is a serious risk of drowning in Hawaii, as we are surrounded by the ocean, and many locals’ lifestyles involve water activities and going to the beach to swim. In addition, many condos have pools, and more condos are being built, giving more people access to pools,” says Amber Smith, owner and swim instructor at Wiki Wiki Swim School. Despite the risks, with some knowledge and preparation, the water can be a wonderful place to play and make memories. Smith kindly shares the top water safety tips, applying her years of experience teaching keiki to swim safety throughout Oahu. Recognize Drowning A struggling swimmer might not always be apparent, so it is important to recognize the signs of drowning to assist immediately. “For the untrained person, a drowning person may look like they are ‘swimming’ in one spot or just bobbing up and down for air, but they are essentially drowning and trying their best to survive,” describes Smith. “A misconception about drowning is that you might expect the person to call out for help or be flailing frantically and making a lot of splashes. But this
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