Keahihoku Lum and his diving partners had taken safety precautions while free-diving in Maunalua Bay last month, friends said, but officials are now turning to the community to see what more can be done after a boat struck and killed Lum.

State Rep. Gene Ward, R-17th (Kalama Valley, Queen's Gate, Hawaii Kai), is hosting a town hall-style meeting to address the issue from 7 to 9 tonight at the Hahaione Elementary School cafeteria at 595 Pepeekeo St.

Lum, a 17-year-old Farrington High School student, died after being struck by a boat while diving in an area off China Wall near Portlock Point on Oct. 4. A second diver with Lum was also injured; a third diver was unharmed.

Friends said Lum and his fellow divers each had a "diver down" flag attached to floats that they towed behind them, a warning to boaters to steer clear.

Ward said he doesn't want to investigate the accident but instead wants to try to find out what's safe and what's not safe about Maunalua Bay.

He's invited boaters, divers, jet watercraft users, kayakers and paddlers to voice their opinions.

Coast Guard officials will be present to go over maritime rules, and Laura H. Thielen, director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which enforces the rules, also will attend.

"If anything, the results of the town hall meeting should be that accidents like the one involving Keahi Lum will never happen again," Ward said.

In the meantime, Ward said, residents should "remember what the rules are" when out in the ocean and bays.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.