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In honor of World Ocean Day (June 8) and the start of our summer season, we interviewed Kalani Vierra, President of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and Operation Chief at the Kaua'i Ocean Safety Bureau.
AH: What is your main goal as president of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and operation chief at the Kaua'i Ocean Safety Bureau?
KV: As President of HLA, it's my goal to support the lifeguard services across the State of Hawaii through water safety education, training, fund raising, and lobbying state legislation. Also, to update the HLA Rescue Craft Training Manual and create a Water Safety Plan for the State of Hawaii similar to California, Australia, and New Zealand. Finally, to assist and coordinate the State Drowning Prevention and leadership conference and the State Jr lifeguard leadership challenge in August 2023 at Waikiki as part of the Duke Kahanamoku ocean festival.
As the Chief of Operation of the Kaua’i Ocean Safety Bureau: My goal is to expand and extend our full operation to longer hours of coverage from 8 hours to 10 hour days. Also, to expand our keiki and junior lifeguard program for our youths and utilize this program as a force multiplier and great recruiting for future lifeguards.
AH: What is something you wish more people knew about ocean safety?
KV: To educate themselves about the hidden dangers or our beaches. Hawaii’s beaches are the most beautiful in the world but at times can be the deadliest. Visit the safebeachday.com website to get accurate live ocean condition reports across our state so you can plan your beach day accordingly and get the best and safest experience. When in doubt, swim near a lifeguard, and talk to the lifeguards and get safe swimming, snorkeling, surfing information.
AH: What do you see at your job that consistently surprises you?
KV: Reports or emergency calls of people going to the secluded beaches to find that hidden gem “beauty” and getting injured or dying because it's so dangerous or too far from help. Social media today attracts people and promotes these remote locations. At times, this puts our first responders in great danger when they have to perform rescues.
AH: Does the Ocean Safety Bureau have any new or upcoming initiatives the community should know about?
KV: Yes, we are currently in the process of trying to hire 12 more full-time Ocean Safety Officer positions. These 12 NEW positions will allow our ocean safety operations to have extended daily coverage from 9am to 5pm and go to 8am to 6pm. By having these 12 new positions it will increase our ability to have longer daily ocean safety coverage for our island residents and visitors to enjoy our beaches safely. By having these longer hours, our staff can enjoy another day off, going from a 5 day week, 8 hour day schedule, to a 4 day week, 10 hour day schedule. We hope to conclude the hiring process and activate this plan by December 2023.
To stay updated and learn more about the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and the Kaua’i Ocean Safety Bureau, please follow them on social media:
Hawaiian Lifeguard Association Facebook
Hawaiian Lifeguard Association Instagram
Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau Facebook
Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau Instagram
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