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HCR 27

ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO OFFER A BASIC SWIMMING COURSE IN EITHER PRIMARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATION LEVELS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 13 co-sponsors

Hawaii encourages its Department of Education to add basic swimming courses to primary or secondary schools to improve water safety and reduce drowning deaths.

Referred to EDN, referral sheet 18
#doe #primaryandsecondaryeducationlevels #swimming #swimmingcourse
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Bill Summary · HCR 27

Legislative bill overview

HCR 27 is a concurrent resolution from Hawaii that encourages the Department of Education to incorporate basic swimming instruction into either elementary or secondary school curricula. The bill does not mandate swimming courses but rather requests that the state education department consider offering this training as part of standard education programming.

Why is this important

Hawaii has historically high rates of drowning deaths, particularly among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth, making water safety skills a public health priority. Integrating basic swimming instruction into public schools could provide equitable access to water competency training regardless of family income, potentially reducing preventable deaths in a state surrounded by ocean.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Adding swimming instruction requires pool facilities, certified instructors, and transportation—significant expenses for schools already facing budget constraints
  • Curriculum space: Determining which existing subjects or time slots would accommodate new swimming courses without overcrowding already full schedules
  • Access equity: Not all schools have equal access to pools or nearby facilities, potentially creating disparities between schools rather than solving them

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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