Ask the Mayor: Does the County Offer Keiki Swimming Lessons?

Maui County offers keiki swimming lessons. Maui County photo.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Aloha Mayor,

Q: What are the different programs offered to help teach children how to swim? Are the county programs year-round or only during the summer, and what exactly are they?

A: Our Department of Parks and Recreation, Aquatics Division, offers free “Learn to Swim” (LTS) programs at various county facilities for ages infant to adult. Some programs are held only in the summer, and others are held at various times during the year, although colder weather often precludes classes during the winter months.

There is currently a toddler LTS class being held at the Kīhei Aquatic Center on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for a total of six sessions.

LTS levels II and III will start soon at Kokua Pool in Kahului. Classes are limited to 10 participants per session, and will be held Oct. 3 to Nov. 14, 2015.

For children enrolled in LTS levels I and II, a parent or caregiver is required to attend the sessions in the water with the child. A range of basic skills are covered, from becoming comfortable in the water, swimming underwater and blowing bubbles, to learning basic strokes, lifting the head out of the water, and refinement of swim strokes.

For more details on registration and class days/times, contact Fran Yamamoto at 270-6138 (email fran.yamamoto@mauicounty.gov), call Kokua Pool at 270-6155 or stop by the pool (275 Uhu St.)

The department’s 2016 calendar will be out soon; visit the website for more info. To view a photo of the toddler LTS class in action, go online.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email, by phone at 270-7855 or by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.