As an avid beachgoer, I often see the lifeguards in their towers, keeping the beachgoers safe. It saddens me to learn that lifeguards make around $35,000 a year. For a resident of Hawaii, that is nowhere near enough to cover living expenses — especially if that lifeguard has a family to support and kids to send through school.

It is unfair that lifeguards are putting their own life on the line, to keep others safe and in return they are underpaid. As of 2017, the state of Hawaii removed liability protection for lifeguards, making them personally liable for any actions they take. Because of this, they can be sued if someone thinks “the lifeguard didn’t save me good enough,” which is absolutely ridiculous.

Fair pay and liability protection for lifeguards should be a no-brainer.

Connor Lau

Wilhelmina Rise

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