16-05-2025
YMCA raising awareness and supporting Water Safety
HONOLULU (KHON2) – It was last year when Gov. Josh Green had established Hawaii Water Safety Day.
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This year, we are acknowledging it once again because we have very uncomfortable statistics.
Hawaii has the second highest drowning rates in the nation.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for Hawaii children 1-15 years of age.
So, to learn more about this and to see what is taking place to improve these stats, we are hear at YMCA Nuuanu branch with Leigh Ann Landreth, VP of Marketing & Healthy Living and Aquatics Expert at YMCA of Honolulu.
Being that this is Hawaii Water Safety Day, what is YMCA doing to help to bring awareness to this and to hopefully better the statistics?
'Well, as you know, water safety is a year around priority but during national and local water safety awareness month, its a great time to elevate and uplift this topic,' says Landreth.
'Another statistic is that nation wide, 88% of child drownings happen with an adult nearby. And in response to that, YMCA launched its 'Phones Down, Eyes Up' campaign. You can find out more at We are asking folks to go to the website, take the pledge, and when you do, you get to access to free resources including Water Watcher badges as well free graphics for your phone screen lock to just help remind parents to stay vigilant around the water.'Bringing back to swimming lessons, I didn't know that YMCA was the one who created group swimming lessons back in 1909 and you continue to do that.
So, what are you doing today?
'That's right, we have been teaching people how to swim for over 100 years now at the YMCA,' says Landreth.
'We offer swim lessons for ages 6 months and up and financial assistance is available. People can find out more and sign up for a swim lesson at
I understand, too, that there has been some recent donations which will help financially for some families, but tell us a little bit about this because its good to know that through negative circumstances, something positive comes from it.
'Absolutely, so the YMCA offers a unique program and its called 'Safety Around Water,' the SAW program and that program is designed to, within 5 lessons, help a child know what to do when they fall in the water unexpectedly and the skills include floating and getting back to the wall safely,' says Landreth.
'So, we did have a very generous donor who came forward to help fund a SAW session right here at our Nuuanu location this summer in July. Unfortunately, this family lost their niece at just 3 years old. Her name is Juliette Ortega and they lost their niece years ago in a drowning accident at her birthday party, so this family just wanted to help prevent that tragedy from happening to other kids by sponsoring a SAW program and to inspire others to make a donation if they are able to do so.'
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Click here to learn more about Hawaii Water Safety Day.
Click here to learn what other opportunities and services are available here at the YMCA.
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