HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR050418OceanSafetyofficialsdedicatenewlifeguardtowerTuesday04,
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Mayor Managing Director
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
KAUA`I FIRE DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: May 4, 2018
ROBERT WESTERMAN, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Ocean Safety officials dedicate new lifeguard tower Tuesday
PO'IPO — Ocean Safety and Kauai Fire officials held a dedication ceremony on
Tuesday, for the county's newest lifeguard tower located off Nukumoi Point at Po`ipu Beach
Park.
Referred as the "Nukumoi tower," it is now the county's second lifeguard tower at Po`ipu
Beach, and the county's 11t" tower on Kauai.
The tower was assembled and placed into service on April 20, six days after Kaua`i's
devastating flood event.
"For a period after the flood, our south shore beaches were the only waters that were
safe for swimming; therefore, it became very crowded here at Po'ipu Beach," said Ocean Safety
Bureau Chief Kalani Vierra. "Thanks to the Kaua'i Lifeguard Association, who donated the funds
for the Nukumoi tower to the County of Kauai, we were able to mobilize it ahead of schedule
and provide a better presence at Po`ipe Beach during a much needed time."
At a total cost of $31,500, the new tower now provides improved visibility of Waiohai
Beach, and will help to reduce the response time during emergencies. Additionally, as a mobile
tower, lifeguards can easily move it to other areas of the beach when needed.
Ocean Safety officials relocated Po`ipO's original lifeguard tower on March 27, to an area
on the east end of the park where lifeguards have a better view of Brenneke's Beach.
Kauai Fire Chief Robert Westerman, Deputy Fire Chief Kilipaki Vaughan, members of
the Kauai County Council, the Kauai Lifeguard Association, and Ocean Safety and Kauai Fire
officials attended the dedication ceremony.