HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR121019OceanSafetyofficialshostconferenceonKauaiF� OF
THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
qa 4 MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 10, 2019
KAUA`1 FIRE DEPARTMENT
KILIPAKI VAUGHAN, DEPUTY CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Ocean Safety officials host successful conference on Kauai
LIHU`E — Ocean Safety officials and experts from various regions of the nation gathered
on Kauai from Dec. 4 to 7, to attend the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Board of
Directors Meeting and Conference at the Kauai Marriott Resort.
Hosted by the Kauai Fire Department's Ocean Safety Bureau, the conference covered
topics focused on ocean safety techniques, concerns, public education, training, emergency
response, and the evolving surf and water sports industry. Sponsors of the conference included
the Kauai Lifeguard Association, Hawaii Lifeguard Association, P2P Rescue, Hydronalix —
EMILY, and OMADA.
"As ocean safety standards and the industry continue to evolve, the mission of all Ocean
Safety officials remains the same and that is to reduce injury and save as many lives as
possible," said Deputy Fire Chief Kilipaki Vaughan. "Mahalo to Ocean Safety Bureau Chief
Kalani Vierra for coordinating last week's conference which was a big success. Lifeguards
throughout our country were able to learn and grow from other experts and experiences, while
sharing in Kaua`i's local culture and the unique challenges we face here in Hawai`i."
The United States Lifesaving Association is a nonprofit association of beach lifeguards
and open water rescuers. According to its website, the USLA works to reduce the incidence of
death and injury in the aquatic environment through public education, national lifeguard
standards, training programs, promotion of high levels of lifeguard readiness, and other m
For more information about the USLA, visit www.usla.org. The USLA Board of Directors meet
biannually in different regions of the U.S. The last time a USLA meeting and conference was
held on Kauai was in April 2008.
For more information about Kauai ocean conditions and ocean safety, please speak to a
county lifeguard at any lifeguard station, visit www.hawaiibeachsafety.com, or call the Ocean
Safety Bureau at 241-4984.
Mayor Kawakami addresses the attendees of the United States Lifesaving Association
conference on Dec. 5, at the Kauai Marriott Resort, welcoming guests from various regions of
the nation.
Kauai Fire Department and Ocean Safety Bureau officials performed the traditional ha`a during
the opening of the United States Lifesaving Association conference on Dec. 5.