The School to Pool program is teaching students from Kihei Elementary School how to swim. Courtesy photo

After launching in Central Maui, Maui County’s new School to Pool program has expanded into South Maui.

According to the county, 100 second-grade students at Kihei Elementary School are learning to swim through School to Pool sessions at the Kihei Aquatic Center. Upon completion, students will receive certificates for American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Levels 1 and 2.

“We are surrounded by water; it’s an important skill that kids need to have,” Kihei Elementary teacher Hannah Parker said. “When students first heard of this program — they had never had this kind of opportunity — they were all jumping with joy.”

The pilot program, led by the Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation, offers eight swimming classes for elementary school students who can walk from school to their area pool with the help of school staff.

The program is led by Pool Manager Duke Sevilla and Aquatics Recreation Technician and Special Olympics swim coach Sirena Lacour, with support from lifeguards and staff. Together, they are teaching students water safety, floating, basic movement and stroke skills, following American Red Cross guidelines.

“Swim lessons are crucial for any child,” Lacour said. “Not only does swim instruction reduce the risk of drowning and improve water-safety skills, but swimming is also a fun way to stay active and encourage healthy living from an early age.”

The School to Pool program launched in February with 25 Hawaiian Mission Academy Maui students in Kahului.

Kihei Elementary School began its program with swim evaluations on March 9 and 10. The program officially kicked off March 30, serving 100 students across five classes of 20 students each.

“This is something that all of our community and all of our schools should have because not all parents have the ability to teach their kids or bring them to the pool in the summer,” Kihei Elementary teacher Ashley Farias said. “I get that there are programs offered, but they are working, so they don’t have the chance to do that. This gives them the chance to learn to swim from professionals.”

One of the county instructors, lifeguard Kobe Lilio, has been teaching swim lessons for years. Lilio grew up on Maui and swam for veteran coach Reid Yamamoto at Hawaii Swim Club.

“I have a lot of fun teaching the kids how to swim because swimming has been my passion for a very long time,” Lilio said. “I feel like it is my responsibility as a past club swimmer to teach the next generation of kids how to swim, especially here in Hawaii where we are surrounded by water all the time.”