Hooser: ‘Challenge is to keep people from dying’

LIHU‘E — Visitors to Kaua‘i used to stay an average of 3.4 days.

They are now averaging 7.2 days on the island and this, say local officials, presents them with more time to enjoy the island’s beauty.

But it also with gives them more opportunities to do something else: Visit remote locations, and sometimes get into some trouble.

County Councilman Gary Hooser said a concerted effort with prevention might need legislation to require hotels and car companies to inform visitors about risks.

“The No. 1 challenge is to keep people from dying,” Hooser said.

There are plans to do just that.

The leadership of the Ocean Safety Bureau and Kaua‘i Fire Department presented its 2014 budget proposal Friday to the County Council, calling for equipment and creative ideas in public safety information.

Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman and OSB Training Officer Randy Ortiz said they are looking at providing photovoltaic electric panels at the island’s 10 water safety towers. The electricity used would power their communication equipment.

The cost of the project is not yet known. Councilman Mel Rapozo suggested they invite photovoltaic companies to sponsor a tower by providing the panel and equipment.

Westerman introduced the idea of Adopt-A-Tower earlier in the meeting. He said hotels, businesses and organizations could help pay for equipment and maintenance.

In the past year, the OSB has received four new jet skis, four all-terrain vehicles and two rescue sleds through the support of the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association.

“This was much needed equipment,” Westerman said.

Council Chair Jay Furfaro, a former water safety trainer in Honolulu, said in his 12 years on the County Council they have added 16 water safety positions.

“I am so proud of our water safety guys, you have a good team,” Furfaro said.

The ocean safety information is making a difference at the hotels, but Furfaro said 62 percent of tragedies occur with people staying at transient vacation rentals.

“The Hotel Association and the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau need to be aware that,” Furfaro said.

The county engineer has the authority to close beaches and trails if conditions present a public safety concern, Furfaro said. Queen’s Bath could be closed for six months at a time, he added.

In 2011 OSB established a roving beach patrol. Westerman said they have placed trucks and watercraft in areas without towers that can quickly respond to calls.

In 2014, Westerman said they will expand the roving patrol beyond its Wednesday and high surf times. It is an excellent addition in places where no water safety personnel or equipment are present, he added.

Westerman said it is frustrating when added safety personnel and programs are in place but drownings still happen. He said the effort must continue because people come to Kaua‘i specifically for the beaches and trails, and they understand this is not Waikiki, he said.

This year, 11 people have drowned in the waters of Kaua‘i.

“Sometimes, no matter how much we do it will still happen,” Westerman said. “We know that, but we just can’t give up.”

Westerman said it’s important to reach people with safety information before they encounter the shoreline.

Two water safety videos play continuously at the Lihu‘e Airport baggage terminal. KFD reaches out to hotels and transient vacation rental owners to carry safety information in rooms, television and websites.

“Education is the key,” Westerman said.

Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura asked the KFD to research the data on drownings. She said it is important to know of correlation’s between drownings and visitors staying at transient vacation rentals, versus hotels.

There might also be something between visitor arrival numbers and the ocean conditions, Yukimura said. It would also help to educate people of the dangers of walking the black lava platforms during high swell periods, she said.

• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0424 or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.