ANINI The Kauai Fire Department, its Ocean Safety Bureau and the Kauai Lifeguard Association held a blessing for the Wanini roving patrol unit at Anini Beach Park on Friday.
ANINI — The Kauai Fire Department, its Ocean Safety Bureau and the Kauai Lifeguard Association held a blessing for the Wanini roving patrol unit at Anini Beach Park on Friday.
“To our brave hearts in the Ocean Safety Bureau, our fire department, our public safety officials, we want to thank you for being the guardians of our very special places and to our keiki and kupuna,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in front of about 50 people. “We couldn’t get this done without the generosity of the public and our County Council.”
On Feb. 1, Kawakami signed Bill 2731, enabling KFD to create two, new, fulltime ocean safety officer positions, and one part-time position, to support and improve the level of service at Anini Beach Park.
“The additional support will ensure that the Wanini roving patrol unit will provide much-needed coverage with additional eyes at sea,” according to a county press release.
According to the KLA, OSB lifeguards in 2018 conducted 282 rescues, administered first aid 6,280 times, and were responsible for over 157,000 preventive actions.
