Sharing the Blue: Ocean Safety, Sharks, and Respect for the Big Island’s Living Waters

There is something about the ocean in Hawaii that changes you.

Maybe it is the first time you float in clear blue water and see sunshine on the reef. Maybe it is the sound of waves on lava rock at sunset. Maybe it is that quiet feeling of being small, grateful, and fully alive at once.

For many of us who live here, the ocean is part of daily life. It is where families gather, where children learn courage, where visitors make memories, and where locals return again and again for peace, healing, and what I like to call a little “Vitamin Sea.”

But the ocean is also wild. It is alive. And when we step into it, we are guests.

That includes sharing the water with sharks.

Sharks are often misunderstood, especially when stories about shark encounters make the news. The truth is, sharks are part of a healthy ocean. They have been here long before us, moving through the water with purpose, instinct, and balance.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources reminds people that shark bites in Hawaiʻi are very rare. In fact, the chance of being bitten by a shark in Hawaiʻi is less than one in a million, and the chance of serious injury is even lower.

That does not mean we ignore safety. It means we respect reality instead of fear.

I have never wanted fear to take away my love for the ocean. I am not afraid of the ocean or sharks. I still love being in the water. At the same time, I believe deeply in awareness, preparation, and respect.

Ocean Safety Starts Before You Enter the Water

Look at the conditions. Watch the waves. Notice the wind. Ask local lifeguards, ocean safety officers, or experienced water people. If the water looks rough, murky, or just doesn’t feel right, listen to that inner voice.

Never swim alone. Stay close to shore if you are unsure of the area. Be particularly careful near river mouths, fishing areas, or places where fish are being cleaned.

Education Matters

The Alex & Duke De Rego Foundation provides water safety and ocean awareness education to youth across Hawaiʻi Island. Their mission focuses on water safety, CPR, and ocean awareness.

When children grow up understanding the ocean, they become safer swimmers and better stewards of the sea.

Ocean safety is not just about avoiding danger. It is about giving people the confidence and knowledge to enjoy Hawaiʻi fully.

Stories like Sara Ackerman’s The Shark House help reshape the way people think about sharks and the ocean.

The more time you spend here, the more you understand that Hawaiʻi is not just a destination. It is a relationship.

So go enjoy the water. Take the swim. Watch the waves. Float under the blue sky. Let Hawaiʻi remind you how good it feels to be alive.

Just bring your awareness with you.

The ocean does not belong to us.

We belong to it, for a little while, with gratitude.