In an attempt to curb drownings, Kaua‘i community groups have set up a Web site with daily ocean reports and a program for hotel employees to inform guests about dangerous ocean conditions. The projects were launched recently as the number
In an attempt to curb drownings, Kaua‘i community groups have set up a Web site with daily ocean reports and a program for hotel employees to inform guests about dangerous ocean conditions.
The projects were launched recently as the number of drownings on Kaua‘i reached 10 this year, including a double drowning — something that doesn’t normally occur — and a higher visitor count, a county official said.
The initiatives were launched by a coalition that includes: the Kaua‘i Fire Department-Ocean Safety Bureau, Kaua‘i Ocean Rescue Council, Kauai Visitors Bureau, Kauai Water Safety Task Force, the county Office of Economic Development and Wasabi Marketing Elements.
Daily ocean conditions can be found online, downloaded and printed via www.kauaiexplorer.com.
The reports are updated each morning following consultations with county water safety officers and with information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Brainstorming on ways to curb drownings started last May.
“One of the tools we thought would be very useful was a daily report — easy to read and access — that hotels and condos could use to inform their guests of where to go and where not to go,” said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau.
KORC also launched the “Water Awareness Visitor Education” program, through which hotel employees can provide critical life-saving information to visitors.
“Just knowing which beaches are appropriate for visitors is important,” said KORC program director Pat Durkin.
A Hawaii Tourism Authority grant administered by the county Office of Economic Development, led by Beth Tokioka, enabled Durkin to develop WAVE.
Kalani Vierra, the Ocean Safety Bureau supervisor, said the projects will help lifeguards save lives.
“There’s only so much our lifeguards can do — especially when visitors go to beaches without lifeguards,” Vierra said. “We’ve got a great program and we’re saving lives, but there’s more we can do. Through this partnership, we’re going to make some headway.”
Dr. Monty Downs, a member of the Kaua‘i Water Safety Task Force, said he is pleased with the stepped-up KORC efforts.
“I’ve seen so many tragedies in the emergency room and it’s heartbreaking every time,”
Downs said. “We can’t stop trying new and better things, because even one life saved makes it all worth it.”
Some 10 years ago, the island was having 12 drownings a year for a time and demanded the county and concerned residents take action.
Downs and others worked with the Kaua‘i County Council and then-Mayor Maryanne Kusaka to hire more water safety officers, improve training and buy new water-safety equipment.
Westerman said the effort has paid off, as the county, for instance, recorded only seven drownings each year for 2002 and 2003.
The drowning numbers are up again this year
“We hate it when anybody drowns,” Westerman said. “And we are doing things differently this year, buying a four-wheel drive (all-terrain vehicles) for the ocean safety bureau to carry surfboards and first aid.”
The vehicle means water safety officers will no longer have to run down beaches with rescue equipment in hand, thereby saving them energy they will need to save lives, Westerman said.
Mayor Bryan Baptiste said he is glad to see new methods being used to prevent drownings.
“Having private-sector partners join us really helps to move things forward,” Baptiste said in the statement. “The resources that Wasabi and the Kaua‘i Ocean Rescue Council have put toward this effort are invaluable and will make a real difference in keeping people safer in our ocean waters.”
• Lester Chang, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or lchang@kauaipubco.com.
