Organizers are seeking 32 children to participate in a pilot program in Kailua that aims to teach keiki about water safety and how to swim.
The 10-day pilot Learn to Swim and Water Safety program is being run by the Hawaii Aquatics Foundation.
As part of the trial, organizers are looking for incoming second- and third-grade students with beginner or intermediate swim lesson experience. The free program offers two classroom days and eight in-the-water days, run by formally trained instructors and lifeguards.
The program is set for Monday through Aug. 4 at the Kailua District Park swimming pool. Officials said they are looking for 16 students who can participate from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and another 16 students from 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Participants will be given swim caps, goggles and a T-shirt, and parents and guardians must sign a liability waiver.
Anyone interested should contact the Hawaii Aquatics Foundation at academy@hawaiiaquatics.org.
Hawaii island
Peter Boy’s mother violates supervised-release terms
HILO>> A Hawaii mother who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the 1997 death of her son has violated the terms of her supervised release.
Jaylin Kema was back in court on Tuesday, Hawaii News Now reported. A Hilo judge scolded her for failing to check in with her probation officer, changing her phone number and using marijuana.
Kema was granted supervised release from prison in April after serving one year behind bars.
She pleaded guilty in 2016 as part of an agreement that she would testify against her husband.
Peter Kema Sr. pleaded guilty to manslaughter in April.
The parents admitted to abusing their son Peter Kema Jr., commonly referred to as “Peter Boy,” for years. The boy had bounced between foster parents because of abuse allegations, but the state gave him back to the Kemas. He was 6 years old when he died.
He suffered a severe arm injury sometime between December 1996 and February 1997, which was left untreated by his parents and is believed to have led to his death.
In April, a court-appointed special master released a report that stated the state Department of Human Services could have done a better job protecting the boy.
Correction: The Learn to Swim and Water Safety pilot program is run by the Hawaii Aquatics Foundation, but is not part of a state curriculum being developed for elementary schools, as was reported in an earlier version of this story.
