This map shows the location of drownings on Maui from 2013 to 2022, as well as three “black spots” where there is a high risk for drowning or injury. Photo courtesy Hawaii Water Safety Coalition

A Maui County Council committee is scheduled to look into the high rate of drownings on Maui compared to other Hawaiian islands.

With Kauai a close second, Maui leads the islands with a drowning rate that’s more than double the rate for Oahu, according to the state Department of Health. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 3 before the Maui County Council’s Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee.

“It’s ridiculous. We’ve got to do everything we can to increase health and safety,” said Joseph Pluta, president of the West Maui Taxpayers Association. “We certainly don’t want Maui to be known as the island with the highest drowning rate.”

From 2020 to 2024, Maui’s drowning rate per 100,000 residents was 45.1, followed by Kauai at 41.6, Hawaii Island at 22 and Oahu at 16.8. The number of drownings from 2020 to 2024 included 183 on Oahu, 97 on Maui, 42 on Hawaii Island and 40 on Kauai.

According to the 2025 Hawaii Water Safety Plan, 69% of the ocean drownings have been visitors. The plan also identifies three “black spots” for drownings and dangerous conditions on Maui including the Three Sisters site on the north shore of West Maui, the Olivine Pools and Nakalele Blow Hole near Kahakuloa, and Black Rock near the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.

Maui County lifeguards have 12 towers on the Valley Isle and 80 water safety personnel.

Some residents believe there should be more lifeguard services and rescue equipment at beaches on Maui, especially those frequented by visitors.

“There needs to be something better to help these visitors that are not expecting to have these strong currents in the ocean,” said Marty Forbes, who witnessed a double-drowning offshore in Wailea on May 23 in which there were no towers or lifeguards at the beach.

The Maui County Department of Public Safety has supported the expansion of beach protection, but putting up new lifeguard towers can take time and resources.

Chris Stankis, a spokesperson for the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety, said the department has been working on establishing lifeguard towers at Black Rock since at least 2019 and hopes to have them on the beach at Kaanapali in 2026.

Stankis said the department has also been working with local Rotary Clubs to install rescue tubes around Maui County.

The rescue tubes are made of hard foam and capable of floating a person in the ocean. The tubes have been installed at a number of beaches in south and west Maui, and they have been used by volunteers in a number of rescues.

According to the Hawaii Department of Health, drownings are the leading cause of death for Hawaii children ages 1 to 15 years old.

Kalani Vierra, president of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the state Legislature has taken steps to reduce the number of deaths by passing a measure to help fund water safety initiatives, including junior lifeguard programs and learn-to-swim courses.

A state bill also passed in the last legislative session, allowing the sale of specialty Duke Kahanamoku license plates as a fundraiser starting November.