Dive In: Are Adult Swimming Lessons Available at City Pools?

Question: Certain city parks feature swimming pools, and I’ve noticed adults swimming laps. Do any of these facilities provide swimming lessons for adults, or are the lessons exclusively for children?

Answer: Complimentary swimming lessons for adults (as well as for children) are provided at various public swimming pools on Oahu. Registration is set to kick off in January for swimming lessons and other recreational programs available through Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation’s 2025 Spring Program.

To explore the options, visit pros.hnl.info, click on “Activities” and establish search parameters or browse all activities. For instance, you could perform a keyword search for “swim” and refine it by age and park district. Alternatively, filter by category, in this instance “aquatics.” We explored both methods and uncovered numerous complimentary swim lessons for adults throughout the island.

Additional classes and activities offered include kupuna clubs, arts and crafts, archery, sewing, gardening, and numerous others. These are detailed on the PROS website, standing for Parks and Recreation Online System. While there are fees for certain classes, many are available at no cost. Registration will primarily occur online, following this schedule, depending on the activity’s location:

>> Honolulu Botanical Gardens, Jan. 6, starting at 9 a.m. For further details, visit the PROS website or call 808-768-7139.

>> District 1 Parks (Ka Iwi to Waikiki), Jan. 13, starting at 5 p.m. 808-768-8944

>> District 2 Parks (Makiki to Aiea), Jan. 14, starting at 5 p.m. 808-768-9292

>> District 3 Parks (Waipahu to Makaha), Jan. 15, starting at 5 p.m. 808-768-6889

>> District 4 Parks (Mokuleia to Makapuu), Jan. 16, starting at 5 p.m. 808-768-8980

>> District 5 Parks (Pearl City to Whitmore), Jan. 17, starting at 5 p.m. 808-768-6940

Individuals unable to access the PROS website can register in person from 5 to 7 p.m. at the respective park district office on the specified dates. If you’re uncertain of your park district, consult bit.ly/Oahu­ParkMap.

When fees are involved, only Visa or MasterCard credit or debit cards will be accepted for online payments, while cash or checks will be accepted for in-person registration, per DPR.

Q: We are expecting winter guests after Christmas. What is the site you referenced for high-surf warnings, etc.? We want something easily comprehensible for our friends who have never resided near the ocean. Observing the news and seeing reports of tourists drowning prompts us to ensure our guests have reliable information.

A: You may be thinking of HawaiiBeachSafety.com, which merged with SafeBeachDay.com in 2023. You can consult either site for updated information regarding conditions at Hawaii beaches, which are searchable by island.

Q: As a part-time resident in Hawaii, is it feasible to hold an out-of-state license alongside a state of Hawaii Real ID?

A: No, legally, according to Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. Applicants are required to surrender their driver’s license from another U.S. state when acquiring a federally compliant Hawaii driver’s license or state ID. The DMV verifies a national database to assess whether the applicant possesses a valid license from any other state.

MAHALO

My gratitude goes to all the kind-hearted individuals who assisted me when I fell at the intersection of Ala Lilikoi and Likini streets at 11:45 a.m. on Dec. 13. A local woman promptly arrived in her vehicle, stopped, called 911, and conversed with them about the appropriate steps. A young couple halted their car, and the female rushed over with a box of Kleenex to create a compress for my chin, which was bleeding considerably, and continued to hold it until the ambulance arrived. A security guard approached from a nearby condo and signaled the ambulance. Mahalo to all who offered help.

— Thankful 83-year-old woman

Contact Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813; call 808-529-4773; or email [email protected].