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Rescue Tube Foundation asks state to fund 500 more public rescue tubes after citing drowning toll
Summary
The Rescue Tube Foundation urged the House Finance Committee to back an expansion of its free public rescue tube program, citing roughly 80 drowning deaths a year in Hawaii and gaps in lifeguard coverage.
Branch Lotzpeech, executive director of the Rescue Tube Foundation, told the House Committee on Finance that drowning is a leading cause of death in Hawaii and asked for state backing to expand a program that places public rescue tubes on beaches.
Lotzpeech told the committee, “Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 15 in Hawaii,” and said Hawaii averages about 80 drowning deaths per year. He said over the last 15 years the foundation has installed nearly 600 bright‑yellow public rescue tubes at beaches across the state and that the devices have supported hundreds of known rescues — an estimated 35 to 50 documented lives saved.
The foundation’s request at the hearing was to install 500 additional rescue tubes in underserved areas to improve bystander safety and reduce preventable deaths. Lotzpeech stressed that it is still “always best to swim near lifeguards,” but noted that there are reportedly about 350 beaches in Hawaii while only about 60 beaches have lifeguard coverage.
What proponents said
- The foundation described rescue tubes as inexpensive personal flotation devices that protect citizen rescuers and aid in swimmers’ rescues, especially on beaches without lifeguards. - Lotzpeech framed the appeal as a public‑safety measure that targets both residents and visitors, who together account for the state’s drowning toll.
What the committee heard (context)
Testimony on this item was part of a broader GIA hearing covering many community needs. Committee members did not take a public vote at the hearing; the Rescue Tube Foundation’s request will be included in the record for the committee’s budget deliberations.
Ending
If lawmakers choose to fund the expansion, proponents say it would place hundreds more rescue tubes at beaches that currently lack lifeguards or other lifesaving infrastructure.
