“pah-leh-kah-nah” [Hawaiian]

Safe / safety; to protect, rescue, or recover

Aquatic Safety Program

At Palekana Aquatics Academy (PAA), we believe that every keiki deserves the knowledge, skills, and experience to be safe and enjoy the water. Our Elementary School Aquatic Safety program brings life-saving swim and water safety education directly into Hawaiʻi’s schools—making it accessible to all children, regardless of their background, physical condition, socio or economic circumstance.

A young boy wearing swimming goggles is in a swimming pool, holding a blue floatation device, with his mouth open and eyes closed.

Every Keiki Deserves to Be Water-Safe

Our program is designed for elementary students in grades K–5, ensuring children learn critical aquatic survival skills during the years they need them most. By embedding lessons into the school day, we eliminate the barriers of cost, transportation, and access—giving every child the opportunity to thrive in Hawaiʻi’s aquatic environments.

Swim instructor coaching two young children in an indoor swimming pool

Standards-Based Curriculum

Partnering with PAA provides schools an aquatic safety curriculum aligned with state and national health and physical education standards. Designed specifically for elementary students, the program ensures instructional time is academically valuable, while also providing students with critical life-saving skills.

.

Five children playing on a yellow and blue inflatable boat in a swimming pool, with one child making a peace sign and another resting.

Families Benefit From Equitable Access

Not every family can afford private swim lessons—or has the time and resources to get kids there. By providing instruction during school hours, at no cost to families, PAA ensures that lifesaving aquatic skills reach children across all communities, especially those most at risk.

  • “Mahalo nui loa for providing our 3rd and 4th graders at Princess Victoria Ka'iulani Elementary with such a valuable and engaging water safety program! It is wonderful to hear about the progress the students made, and we are appreciative of the time, care, and expertise that you and the Palekana Aquatics Academy team brought to this experience.”

    Bebi Z.K. Davis, Ed.D; Ph.D.
    Principal, Princess Victoria Kaiulani Elementary School

  • “Thank you for all of the instruction you and your team provided to these young students. It's an important resource you provide that few kids in this community can access, so 'big mahalo'. Hit us up next year, please.”

    Kelly Bart
    Principal, Princess Miriam K. Likelike Elementary School

  • “Students are ALWAYS excited to go swimming. I've had a couple of parents reach out to me and thank us for the program, saying that their child always looks forward to swim day. Personally, I think it is SO important, because I was not aware that so many of my students cannot swim! It is a vital life skill to have, especially when living in Hawaii.”

    Kelli Lim
    2nd Grade Teacher, Lanakila Elementary School

  • “A parent told me that her son had an incident where he had to be saved by the lifeguard at a waterpark. Since then, he's skipped out every time his friend has a pool party. He told his mom last week that next time a friend asks him to their pool party, he wants to go. He's gained so much confidence!”

    Rachel DeVore
    4th Grade Teacher, Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Elementary School

Join us in making aquatic safety education accessable to elementary students here in Hawaiʻi.

Partner with Us
A young girl swimming underwater in a pool, wearing swimming goggles and a swimsuit, with her arms extended outward.

10-Lesson Curriculum – Students participate in 30-minute lessons, aligned with the DOE school quarter.

  1. Balanced Instruction – The program blends classroom learning (understanding risks, recognizing hazards, safe behaviors) with in-water practice (floating, treading, safe entries and exits, and survival swimming techniques).

  2. Knowledge objectives combined with physical activities promotes active learning and fosters the retention of students’ skills.

    Small-Group Learning – With an average 1:4 instructor-to-student ratio, children receive individualized attention based on their skills and comfort level.

  3. All Levels and Experience – Lessons are tailored to beginners through intermediate swimmers, ensuring that all students grow in both confidence and competence.

Lessons That Teach More Than Swimming

Learn More

To reduce drownings and other aquatic injuries in Hawaiʻi, Palekana Aquatics Academy provides and support water safety education that elevates competence in aquatics and enables individuals to more safely interact with aquatic environments.

Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1–15 in Hawaiʻi.

Help us end preventable drownings for good.

3% Cover the Fee