LIHU‘E — Four monitors broadcasting an ocean safety video were dedicated Wednesday at the Lihu‘e Airport. Kaua‘i has seen 11 drownings this year, and community members hope the video will help spread water safety awareness. Ron Margolis, community service chair
LIHU‘E — Four monitors broadcasting an ocean safety video were dedicated Wednesday at the Lihu‘e Airport.
Kaua‘i has seen 11 drownings this year, and community members hope the video will help spread water safety awareness.
Ron Margolis, community service chair for Rotary Club of Kapa‘a, said the LED monitors located in two baggage claim areas will display the message to arriving visitors and residents.
“With the installation of this system, we are hopeful to provide a message, which can be sustained and heard for a very long time,” Margolis said. “The systems, powered by digital signage … are state-of-the-art and flexible technology, which has great capabilities.”
Dr. Monty Downs, president of the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association, said it was a tremendous day, leading the audience of Rotarians, government leaders and fire and water rescue personnel in a 10-second moment of silence.
“This is dedicated to those who have lost their lives in the water,” Downs said. “Even while we dedicate this tool to educate people, the ocean waits to claim those who are not careful.”
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said he wants to keep telling people Kaua‘i is a beautiful place, and the community will continue its efforts of making sure residents and visitors have a safe experience.
“Although the airport video project was deemed a legacy project by the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a, and we are proud of this accomplishment, we also realize this is simply another step forward in our Kaua‘i community’s ongoing and expansive efforts in water safety,” Margolis said. “While 2012 was a year to be proud of with many documented rescues using rescue tubes deployed throughout our island through the efforts of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay and the Rescue Tube Foundation, 2013 has been a painful disaster for all of us, and we must work together to continue to improve our water safety efforts.”
Paul Arrigo, past president of the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a, said when the club took on the project, the Foundation provided funds, along with support from DuPont Pioneer for the production of the video and electrical work. Downs and KLA provided guidance leading to the completion of the project, which started more than a year ago.
“We consider this project to be of the utmost importance, especially for the visitors, in advising them of the inherent dangers of our surrounding ocean,” Arrigo said. “Considering 11 lives have been lost this year alone, this could not come at a better time. I believe the state Legislature is considering a bill which would allow the video to be shown on the airlines coming from the Mainland and elsewhere.”
The four-minute video, produced by Dickie Chang and Wala‘au Productions, as well as the visitor information channel, is being aired on KVIC.
Taking it a step farther, Downs and various members of the Water Safety Task Force have completed water safety presentations for more than a hundred people at seminars held at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa and at the St. Regis Princeville. A final presentation is taking place at the Aston Aloha Beach Resort today.
“It is a challenge to balance a message, which both encourages visitors to our island and yet is stern enough to let the public know just how dangerous our amazing ocean can be,” Margolis said. “Together, we can continue to hone our message, keep improving, and make a difference in saving lives through water safety awareness.”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
