Kaua‘i lifeguard supervisor Kalani Vierra was honored with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s Waterman of the Year award recently. And to say that Vierra, Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau co-supervisor, was honored to be in the company of legendary watermen
Kaua‘i lifeguard supervisor Kalani Vierra was honored with the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s Waterman of the Year award recently.
And to say that Vierra, Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau co-supervisor, was honored to be in the company of legendary watermen Titus Kinimaka, Brian Keaulana, Laird Hamilton and more, would be an understatement.
“I’m still kind of blown away,” Vierra said yesterday. “Just to be nominated with the amount of watermen in the state is amazing. It’s a total honor for them to choose me for this award,” he added.
Vierra said that, with the win, he is automatically in the running for the Quiksilver Aikau Waterman of the Year Award, announced in December at the annual Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Event traditional blessing and paddle-out.
I’m excited “just being around the caliber of all those famous waterman,” Vierra continued.
The Lifeguard Waterman of the Year was awarded to Vierra for his love of the ocean, creative promotion of ocean safety, and dedication to his profession, said Cyndi Mei Ozaki, county public information officer.
“The reason why they picked me? You’re guess is as good as mine,” Vierra quipped.
“I love my job. I love the water,” he added. “If you learn how to use it safely, you can have fun.”
Vierra, a seven-plus-year veteran, is in his third year as co-supervisor.
“Kalani has done a great job this year, far beyond what would have been expected of someone faced with the same challenges,” said Teddy Williams, Kaua‘i Fire Department administrative battalion chief in a statement released yesterday. “His determination and love for ocean safety enables him to overcome obstacles for the positive growth of the county and state’s ocean safety programs.”
Over the past few years, Vierra has spent much effort and time working on growing the Ocean Safety Bureau to better protect and serve Kaua‘i’s residents and visitors, Ozaki said.
He has been a visible partner in the construction of the rescue-craft facility in Koloa, and worked with various others to develop KauaiExplorer.com, a Web site focused on promoting ocean safety and awareness for Kaua‘i, she added.
The award was presented to Vierra at the annual Ocean Safety Conference, which recently took place on Kaua‘i and was hosted by the County of Kaua‘i’s Ocean Safety Bureau.
“They kind of tricked me,” Vierra said. “They called me up with a bunch of guys. We went up in front” and then they announced the award.
“I swear, I didn’t know what to do,” he added. “I forgot even what I said.”
The annual state conference, which was organized by Vierra, featured representatives of the four counties’ ocean safety bureaus. Along with reports from the various lifeguard agencies, speakers included representatives from the hotel industry and the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, as well as D.Q. Jackson from the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach and former Mayor Maryanne Kusaka.
There was also a presentation showcasing the KauaiExplorer.com Web site.
Tom Finnegan, staff writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
