In the wake of the drownings of a staffer and a 5-year-old boy during a kayaking excursion over spring break, Mid-Pacific Institute is resuming ocean-related trips with new safeguards in place, including assignment of at least one certified lifeguard at all off-campus nonathletic activities and events involving swimming; and banning the use of watercraft that doesn’t belong to the school. It also has created a new position to oversee compliance and risk management matters.

With a new school year now underway, educators across Hawaii should be reviewing safety policies for any needed update.