NAWILIWILI — Collaboration between different states and islands is always a good thing, said Kalani Vierra, supervisor with the Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau. Vierra said the intent of the two-day, 2010 State of Hawai‘i Drowning Prevention and Ocean
NAWILIWILI — Collaboration between different states and islands is always a good thing, said Kalani Vierra, supervisor with the Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau.
Vierra said the intent of the two-day, 2010 State of Hawai‘i Drowning Prevention and Ocean Safety Conference was to be able to get ideas from the presenters from the other islands and the Mainland.
Hosted by the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association, the big highlight comes Saturday when the State Junior Lifeguard Championships unfold starting at 9 a.m. on Kalapaki Bay.
Kaua‘i is currently the six-time defending state champion, and will be fielding two teams against squads from the other islands in five major events.
Each division will consist of four divisions: boys 13-14 and 15-17, and girls 13-14 and 15-17, with points being awarded to the top six finishers in each division. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each division.
Events include the 1,000-meter run, beach flags, 100-meter run, swim, run, 200-meter swim and the paddle board relay.
During the conference, Dr. Monty Downs, longtime advocate of drowning prevention and ocean safety, presented a piece on hypothermic treatment of drowning patients.
Other topics relating to drowning prevention and ocean safety included box-jellyfish-research findings and the Kaua‘i Ocean Recreation Experience as well as how water-safety officers can better represent themselves so that in the future they won’t be subject to pay cuts or furloughs.
The two-day conference, themed “Ocean Safety Strategies During Tough Economic Times,” includes a discussion from Peter Davis, lifeguard chief from Galveston, Texas, on “Galveston Island Beach Patrol Response to Hurricane Ike,” and a panel discussion including Leonore Horowitz, Nalani Brun and Pat Durkin, to talk about guide book responsibility (specifically, should guide books give specific directions to dangerous places like Kipu Falls and Queen’s Bath in Princeville.
Rebecca Robinson opens today’s discussions with “Drowning Prevention for Kids” starting at 9 a.m. at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club.
Ho‘ike Kaua‘i Community Television, working with Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., is focusing this week’s mayor’s show, “Together We Can,” on water safety and drowning prevention.
Visit www.hoike.org for show times starting today.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
