PO‘IPU — The walls were still showing the studs. But, the roof was on, and so were the doors, as members of the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach dedicated the county water-rescue facility located in the back of the Kaua‘i
PO‘IPU — The walls were still showing the studs. But, the roof was on, and so were the doors, as members of the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach dedicated the county water-rescue facility located in the back of the Kaua‘i Fire Department Koloa fire station Wednesday.
Claude Thompson, district governor of the Hawai‘i Rotary clubs, was on hand to join the celebration on the date of the 100th birthday of the Rotary clubs, his stay shortened by the need for his presence at Centennial Celebrations on Maui, the Big Island, and O‘ahu.
But, in addition to bringing attention to the nearly completed facility in Koloa, the dedication saw efforts from other Rotary clubs on the island draw attention to the water-safety efforts.
Tsajon von Lixfeld, president of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay, was one in attendance, announcing that their project was not quite complete, yet, but by this time next year, a water-rescue facility will be operational on the Northshore, one of the sites Kalani Vierra of the KFD Ocean Safety Bureau wants facilities for.
A representative from the Rotary Club of West Kauai said their club members are working on a kiosk that will be located at the Waimea Plantation Cottages, leaving just the Eastside shy of a similar facility.
Earlier, Vierra, in discussing the needs of water-safety officials, confided that he wanted facilities similar to the Koloa one at locations on the Northshore and the Eastside, the Eastside facility ideally being located next to the Kapa‘a fire station.
Starting approximately four years ago, the project took seed when Rotary Club of Poipu Beach’s D.Q. Jackson was approached by Vierra on the feasibility of taking on the task.
This was the largest undertaking by the club, Jackson said. But, the high incidence of drownings erased doubts, and the club set out to establish a budget, raise funds, and coordinate the construction of the building, which houses rescue and other emergency equipment for use by county lifeguards and firefighters.
There were a lot of closed doors along the way, many potential donors saying it was the government’s job to do this, Jackson said. But, with the help of four major sponsors, First Hawaiian Bank, the A&B Foundation, the Poipu Shopping Village, and Kukui‘Ula Development, the project stepped closer to reality.
Volunteers played heavily in the construction process, as the Rotary club members coordinated with a special contractor, working around the contractor’s time and schedule because of the volunteerism factor.
Finally, with the help of county officials, architects, community sponsors and volunteers, the building was brought to the point where Kelvin Ho officiated over the dedication ceremonies on the very date members of Rotary clubs around the world celebrate their 100th birthday.
Dr. Monty Downs was presented with a special Great Humanitarian award by Jackson on behalf of the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach for his undying efforts at trying to prevent drownings. Downs’ efforts epitomized the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” and the award was presented on behalf of the “countless number of people that are alive today because of his selfless dedication.”
Downs is a member of a water-safety task force, and is an emergency-room physician at Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
It was noted that on the day ground was broken for the Po‘ipu facility, a mother and dad drowned at Lumaha‘i, leaving a 10-year-old orphaned, and the dedication comes on a heels of a dramatic rescue at Ke‘e Beach.
“We will never get to zero (drownings),” Downs said. “People will still come here, and they love to go in the water.”
A lot of people who didn’t drown will never know, and the people who gave them advice will never know, but God knows, Downs said.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
