STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3497

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 55

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 55 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HAWAIʻI WATER SAFETY COALITION'S HAWAIʻI WATER SAFETY PLAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support the findings and recommendations of the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition's Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Health, FreediveSafe! Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition, Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, Hawaiʻi Search and Rescue Alliance, Safe Kids Worldwide, and seventeen individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Snorkel Safety Study.

Your Committee finds that the State's water safety risk profile is unique. High visitor volumes, dynamic ocean conditions, and widespread exposure to aquatic environments create a complex safety landscape that requires coordination across agencies and disciplines, as no single entity can address this challenge alone. Your Committee further finds that the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan provides a framework for that coordination. It supports data-driven decision making, aligns prevention strategies, strengthens communication and collaboration across jurisdictions and sectors, and shifts the focus from reactive response to proactive prevention, reducing incidents before they occur. Crucially, the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan reflects ongoing work already being carried out by partners across the State and provides a structure to grow, strengthen, and sustain those efforts over time. This measure affirms the importance of this coordinated approach and supports continued progress toward reducing drowning and improving water safety outcomes statewide.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 55 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

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CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair