Kaua‘i locals and visitors face a possible safety threat at a popular Eastside county beach park, Santa Cruz resident Bernard Pregerson said. Pregerson — who is not an expert in environmental matters but is an attorney and therefore deals with
Kaua‘i locals and visitors face a possible safety threat at a popular Eastside county beach park, Santa Cruz resident Bernard Pregerson said.
Pregerson — who is not an expert in environmental matters but is an attorney and therefore deals with liability issues on a consistent basis — noticed the potential problem during his family vacation last week to the garden island.
A large tree trunk wedged in the lava rock walls that form a protected Lydgate Park swimming area could cause serious injuries should the log break free in a “sleeper wave” and land on unsuspecting snorkelers, he said.
“The best place to see the fish is along the outer walls,” he added. “If the log gets lifted off the wall and comes into the swimming area, anyone there will get hurt or killed.”
But three lifeguards sitting in a watch tower yesterday afternoon directly in front of the tidal pool said the tree trunk had been stuck in the southeast corner for months without budging — even in high tides and pounding surf.
Most swimmers and snorkelers in the pool seemed to avoid the area near the log.
Kapa‘a resident John Lydgate, grandson of the man after whom the park was named, said he has seen the log sitting there for almost six months now and believes it poses a problem.
“We need to address that wall … and the logs perching on it precariously,” he said.
Lydgate said he sees the log damaging the image the 60-acre park purportedly strives for — one of safety, accessibility and sparkling quality.
Lydgate said he’s garnered support to maintain the park’s integrity from The Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park, a Kaua‘i volunteer group.
“Everyone’s concern is that no one gets hurt,” he said. “No one wants an accident that can be prevented.”
Lifeguards said they have worked to keep swimmers away from the log, just in case.
“The sooner that log is lifted off the wall, the sooner the problem is gone,” he said.
Mary Daubert, county spokeswoman, said according to county lifeguards, who have been monitoring the jammed, uprooted tree, the log is too-tightly wedged to be easily removed by lifeguards.
“I will inform our county engineer so he can further assess the situation,” Daubert said, noting staff doesn’t believe it poses an immediate threat.
