100 years of Oahu lifeguards celebrated with fellow counties

At Magic Island, a popular spot for residents and visitors alike, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell presented a proclamation Friday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of lifeguards on Oahu.

Caldwell presented the proclamation to Jim Howe, director of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, and county lifeguard officials from the neighbor islands who are on Oahu for the 2017 State of Hawaii Drowning Prevention and Ocean Safety Conference.

“Our water safety folks are the best in the world,” he during a news conference.

Caldwell praised Hawaii’s lifeguards, recalling the Independence Day weekend Floatilla off Waikiki where lifeguards rescued hundreds of people.

Lifeguards were first hired on Oahu by the Territory of Hawaii on May 2, 1917.

Last year on Oahu alone, lifeguards rescued some 3,110 people.

Caldwell spoke on the Legislature’s decision not to extend a policy that protected counties and their lifeguards from liability. Saddened by the decision, he said, “I hope the Legislature will come back and revisit this issue and give them the limited liability protection that they deserve.”

He added, “I think it’s something that’s critically important.”

The statute took effect in 2002 and ended June 30.

There are more than 400 lifeguards statewide, according to EMS spokeswoman Shayne Enright.

During the news conference, county officials spoke about various measures implemented in recent years as well as upcoming ocean safety initiatives.

On behalf of Kevin Allen, chief of operations of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services, who is currently off-island, Howe announced four safety videos that are expected to air soon in 30,000 hotel rooms statewide. Safety tips for snorkeling and swimming are among the topics highlighted in the videos.

The video was created by 1013 Integrated and is slated to air on “Real Hawaii TV” within the next few months.

Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau Supervisor Kalani Vierra recalled the launch of a short ocean safety video in 2013 in the baggage claim area at Lihue Airport to inform visitors of hazards.

Five years earlier Kauai had implemented a rescue tube program, installing flotation devices along shorelines around the island to help distressed swimmers.

Following in their footsteps, Colin Yamamoto, battalion chief for Maui Ocean Safety, said they recently installed 47 rescue tubes on south and east shores. Officials are in talks of possibly installing the tubes on the north and west shores.

On the Big Island, public address systems were recently installed at Kahaluu Beach Park, Laaloa Beach Park — aka Magic Sands — and Hapuna Beach State Park.