Old lifeguard towers replaced at several beaches

LIHU‘E – Six guarded beaches recently had their old wooden lifeguard towers replaced with shiny white fiberglass towers including: Anahola; Ha‘ena; Hanalei (Pine Trees); Ke‘e; Kekaha and Salt Pond, a county news release states.

The county began phasing out the old towers last year, starting with Hanalei (pavilion), Kealia, Lydgate and Po‘ipu beaches. Now all county beaches have state-of-the-art lifeguard towers.

“The towers are subjected to the harsh elements and need to be replaced periodically,” said Kaua’i Fire Chief Robert Westerman in the release. “I think our lifeguards are pleased with having more efficient workstations to support their efforts to safeguard our beaches and respond to emergencies.”

The new towers are twice as big as the old ones, allowing more room to comfortably fit two lifeguards, and are built with decks that go completely around it, tinted windows and special ventilation features.

Kalani Vierra, Ocean Safety Bureau superviser, echoed the chief’s sentiments about the new towers.

“Our lifeguards are very happy with the new towers. Many have said that they are especially pleased that the towers provide them with more protection from the weather,” said Vierra.

He noted that over the last 10 years, the Ocean Safety Bureau has grown tremendously with three times as much staffing, restructuring of the organization to include three districts, and improvements in their equipment and training opportunities.

Currently, there are 45 lifeguards, three district supervisors, a training officer and a water safety supervising officer.

Since the beginning of this year, Kaua‘i lifeguards have performed 101 rescues and first aid on 1,693 people, and took 31,002 preventive measures.

There have been seven drownings in 2009, the most recent being a 71-year-old Massachusetts man who was found floating face down in water fronting the Beach House Restaurant on July 29 in Po‘ipu.

The Hanalei and Po‘ipu towers are the busiest on the island.