STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3333

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 127

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 127 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO IMPLEMENT OCEAN AND WATER SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Education to implement ocean and water safety education programs for elementary school students.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that ocean and water safety awareness at a young age is a key factor in drowning prevention, as one in five people who die from drowning are children fourteen years of age and younger. School districts in other states have included swimming lessons and ocean safety education into their physical education classes. Therefore, because Hawaii residents and families have access to beaches and other water activities throughout the year, it is essential to educate young child in ocean and water safety.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting language suggesting that ocean and water safety education programs may be addressed in schools through partnerships with external organizations or other departments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 127, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 127, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair