LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Kaua‘i County Council Chair Jay Furfaro opened National Beach Safety Week by honoring members of the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau for the work it does to protect beachgoers from water-related hazards. Chris
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Kaua‘i County Council Chair Jay Furfaro opened National Beach Safety Week by honoring members of the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau for the work it does to protect beachgoers from water-related hazards.
Chris Kanahele was honored for his work in saving the life of a female visitor at Polihale Beach earlier this year.
“Thanks to his heroic actions, Mr. Kanahele prevented a possible drowning from occurring,” said Dr. Monty Downs, chair of the Water Safety Task Force.
Kanahele was picking opihi near a surf spot named Echoes at the far end of Polihale Beach when he heard a call for help from the rough waters.
He swam out to rescue the struggling swimmer in the rough water, managing to swim to shore with the victim who had nearly drowned.
He was greeted by the victim’s newlywed husband who took out several hundred dollars from his backpack and offered it to Kanahele who declined the gesture.
Carvalho, who presented Kanahele with a Certificate of Honor for the life-saving act, said the county shares Kanahele’s story as part of National Beach Safety Week.
He stressed that residents and visitors must be cognizant of potential ocean hazards and not let their guard down while in the water.
“I now understand how it feels to be a lifeguard and have a deep respect for the critical work of the lifeguards,” Kanahele said.
Kalani Vierra, head of the Ocean Safety Bureau, said traditionally the Memorial Day Weekend marks the start of summer and across the nation, people are drawn to beaches, leading to the observance of National Beach Safety Week.
Initiated and hosted by the United States Lifesaving Association, National Beach Safety Week observance serves to raise awareness and remind beachgoers to use caution when enjoying the aquatic environment and its surroundings, states a council certificate.
The Kaua‘i Fire Department and its Ocean Safety Bureau has done an outstanding job at educating the public on water safety and providing first responder services to our island beaches, the certificate states, responding to approximately 300 rescues a year and more than 25,000 education and intervention operations.
The council certificate notes drowning rates have declined from 15 in 2008 to eight in 2010 due to the work of the first responders and the help and support of the community.
The Ocean Safety Bureau’s objectives are to decrease drowning and other water-related injuries through aggressive and innovative ocean safety measures, promoting Kaua‘i’s guarded beaches as safe visitor destinations and safe recreational areas for residents, to work in collaboration with hotels, non-profit entities and schools to promote prevention awareness in water safety through the Junior Lifeguard and Ocean Safety Awareness programs while providing first aid and rescue services for the general public.
The Kaua‘i Junior Lifeguard Program is accepting registration from youth 13 to 17 years old for the free program which starts at the Salt Pond Beach Park, June 13.
Ocean safety and lifesaving skills, drug awareness, physical conditioning and competition skills are some of the areas covered during the week-long event.
Applications are available at all lifeguard towers and the Kaua‘i Fire Department headquarters in Lihu‘e.
The Ocean Safety Bureau would like to remind residents and visitors to never swim alone, always swim near a lifeguard, never drink alcohol before swiming, respect the power of the surf and learn to swim.
Call 241-4984, or 241-4980 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
