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our Kuleana:

WATER SAFETY & OCEAN AWARENESS

The current focus of our Foundation is to provide Water Safety & Ocean Awareness Education to Middle School students on Hawaiʻi Island.

This program runs annually from March through May, in partnership with the schools' physical education, health, and safety curriculum. It has proven highly successful, allowing a large number of students to gain vital water safety knowledge within the school setting.

We believe that drowning prevention is a foundational public health and educational issue—especially in island communities where water is a constant presence.

By reaching students early, within their schools, we address this urgent issue directly and sustainably, helping to build a generation that is better informed, safer, and more confident around our ocean environments.

“We are creating a culture of water safety education as a way of life” -Shirey De Rego

Water Safety Stations

Students participate in rotating interactive stations offering exercise, ocean swim, rescue techniques, ocean currents and conditions, as well as First Aid/ CPR procedures.

  • Ola Kino

    PHYSICAL FITNESS

    Stretch, jumping jacks, run, introduction to Junior Lifeguard

  • Ike Kai

    OCEAN AWARENESS

    Ocean currents, riptides, waves, ocean floor drop off, rock and sea urchins

  • Ho'opakele Wai

    WATER RESCUE

    Simulated water rescue with paddle boards and rescue flotation

  • Kōkua Mua

    FIRST AID | CPR

    Basic wound aid, head injury, CPR Mannequin Training

  • 'Au'au Kai

    OCEAN SWIMMING

    Certified life guard teaches basic swim techniques, free swim time

*All interactive stations are run by certified lifeguards, with a teacher always present.

ADDF Water Safety Quiz: Protecting Keiki at Home and in the Ocean

Take this quiz to test your knowledge and learn simple steps to keep your child safe around water. Get a perfect score to receive a certificate!

WHAT STUDENTS & TEACHERS LOVE ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

  • “What I liked most about Water Safety Education Program is that we learned to be safe. I liked the Fitness because we ran and stretched. I learned signals to signal the Lifeguard tower.”

    Lehia, age 11

  • “What I liked most was the ocean safety because we learned a lot about the ocean. I liked the fitness station because I learned how to pace myself. One thing I learned was to be safe in the ocean. To look for rip current.”

    Nevaeh David, age 12

  • “I loved that my students could learn about what it takes to be a lifeguard, what signs to be aware of when in the ocean, the basics of swimming and floating in the ocean, how to handle a board in the ocean, what they should do if they come into contact with someone in distress, how they can help and the basics of First Aid/CPR.”

    Shelby Loo, Kumu at Waimea Middle School

  • “I liked the hands on activities and learning what to do at a beach. I liked the CPR station because it was hands on and it taught real life skills that can save lives.”

    Brayden, age 11

  • “I liked the swimming and learning CPR. I liked the First Aid Station because it was fun and educational. If someone’s not breathing or has no pulse you have to try wake them up and if they don’t wake up then call for help and start CPR.”

    Dallas, age 11

  • “Shirley, what you have built for our islands keiki is deeply inspiring & impactful. I appreciate the time; energy & joy you and your amazing staff share with us”

    Ali – 7th Grade Kumu at HPA

  • “Dear Uncle Bullet thank you for teaching us how to paddle on a surfboard. Thank you for also teaching us how to paddle out faster to help someone in need. Mahalo for teaching us how to save ourselves and others”

    G.Y., age 12

  • “Dear swimming teacher thank-you for helping me, I learned how to do a back stroke. You helped me swim better in the water. Thank you for helping us and being there for this program”

    Lui, age 11

  • “Dear Uncle AJ I learned the steps on how to save a person’s life using CPR. You helped me learn that you must act fast”

    Helekunihi, age 11

  • "Mahalo Alex & Duke De Rego Foundation and the swimming instructors, I wanted to thank- you for all you guys taught me in the safety lesson and showing me how to save myself and others around me. I wanted to thank-you for hosting KMS 6th grade at Hapuna, I learned how to paddle on a board, CPR and many other things. You helped me use what I learned at the lesson to use it to save others, myself, and my family members. I had a lot of fun doing the paddle board and thank you for your time and support”

    Vy, age 13

  • “Thank you for hosting our Kohala Middle School 6th grade class at Hapuna. I learned that exercise could help you swim, and you can help others this way. I had a lot of fun doing those exercises”

    Lili, age 11

  • “I learned how to swim better and different ways to swim. You helped me by teaching me how to swim, because I wasn’t a very good swimmer. I had lots of fun doing everything”

    Aidan, age 11