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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR072219MayorproclaimsBeachSafetyWeekonKauaiTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR C OF News Release For Immediate Release: July 22, 2019 KAUA`I FIRE DEPARTMENT KILIPAKI VAUGHAN, DEPUTY CHIEF Tel (808) 241-4980 Fax (808) 241-6508 Mayor proclaims Beach Safety Week on Kauai LIHU'E — A special ceremony was held Monday at the Lihu`e Civic Center's Mo'ikeha Courtyard as Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami proclaimed July 21 to 27, 2019, as Hawaii Beach Safety Week on Kauai. "The unpredictable ocean environment poses many dangers which should never be taken lightly," said Mayor Kawakami at Monday's ceremony. "Through public awareness and vigilance of our professional lifeguards and partners throughout our community, I believe we can together effectively decrease drowning statistics islandwide. I'm proud to support these important efforts and I urge all beachgoers to do the same, for the safety of themselves and their keiki." In an effort to bring awareness on drowning prevention, each county will highlight various ocean safety messages throughout Hawaii Beach Safety Week. This year, KauaTs messaging is focused on the dangers of swimming at unguarded beaches. "About 95 percent of all drownings occur at unguarded beaches," said Ocean Safety Bureau Chief Kalani Vierra. "While we strongly urge all residents and visitors to swim only at lifeguarded beaches, we recommend the following ocean safety tips when visiting any shoreline — whether a lifeguard is present or not." The Ocean Safety Bureau recommends the following tips for all beachgoers: 1. Use the buddy system. 2. Check for the latest ocean conditions at www.hawaiibeachsafety.com. 3. Before entering the water, observe the ocean conditions for at least 20 minutes. Take special note of any dangerous shore break or rip currents. 4. Observe for any warnings or signs posted in the general area. 5. Always have an emergency action plan. "Remember to know your limits, know the conditions, and when in doubt, don't go out," said Vierra. Hawaii Beach Safety Week coincides with the State of Hawaii Ocean Safety and Drowning Prevention Conference which will be held on July 26 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. Following the conference on July 27, junior lifeguards from all islands will compete in the State Junior Lifeguard Championships at Makaha Beach on Oahu. Kauai Ocean Safety officials promote beach safety efforts year-round through daily surf conditions and updates on the Hawaii Beach Safety Website, ongoing safety videos at the Uhu`e Airport baggage claim, programs for keiki and junior lifeguards, and updated beach safety guides provided at hotels islandwide. Beach safety guides are also available to the public at KFD Headquarters located at the Lihu`e Civic Center Pi`ikoi Building, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 315, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Additionally, the Ocean Safety Bureau recently added a new roving patrol unit at `Anini Beach on the North Shore. Starting August 1, officials will extend the hours for roving patrol coverage at unguarded beaches on our North, East, and South shores. Hours at all lifeguard towers will remain unchanged. Above photo courtesy of County of Kauai. Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami thanked all of our first responders including police, fire, ocean safety, paramedics, police dispatch, and our community, for their commitment to ensure the safety of residents and visitors at our beaches. wv�r Above photo courtesy of Terry Lilley. Ocean Safety officials are bringing awareness to the dangers of unguarded beaches. Shown in this photo are youth playing in dangerous shore break at Lumaha`i Beach, an unguarded beach, on the North Shore in 2017. r~� Above photo courtesy of County of Kauai. Air 1 is shown conducting a search in December 2018, when a woman was swept away by a wave at Queen's Bath, an unguarded area on the North Shore, during a High Surf Warning.