A dangerous and crowded North Kona beach will have to wait at least another year for lifeguards. ADVERTISING A dangerous and crowded North Kona beach will have to wait at least another year for lifeguards. A push for funding to
A dangerous and crowded North Kona beach will have to wait at least another year for lifeguards.
A push for funding to install ocean safety officers at Kua Bay fell short this past session. Despite efforts by lawmakers and beach users to gain ocean safety officers to oversee an area known for dangerous currents and sudden shore breaks, the necessary money was never put in the state budget.
Legislation sponsored by Kohala Rep. Cindy Evans would have funded lifeguards’ salaries and equipment for two years, following recent drownings and near drownings and reports of good Samaritans stepping up to manage beach safety on their own during days of high, dangerous swell.
With beautiful sands, high ratings on TripAdvisor and an improved access road, the state beach park has become a magnet for locals and tourists. Frequent users of the beach say the area on many days is crowded by visitors who do not understand the hazards the bay poses.
Evans said she’ll try a third time next year, with the ultimate goal of making the lifeguard funding a permanent budget fixture that does not have to be periodically renewed through new, separate appropriations.
“We gained momentum and will reach out to the Fire Department and try to get a better count on calls for help,” Evans said. “Let’s hope nothing terrible happens this summer.”
There were seven cases of drowning, near drowning or cardiac arrest that required emergency response in the Kua Bay and Makalawena area last year, according to the Hawaii Fire Department. But it is tricky to get a clear picture of the problem because of the varying ways in which emergency locations are reported to emergency responders. Also, many incidents are addressed by bystanders and not logged.
The state provides lifeguards at one state beach in each county through a contract with the county fire departments. Evans’ funding effort would have included Kua Bay along with Hapuna Beach, making it the island’s second state beach with lifeguards.
Email Bret Yager at byager@westhawaiitoday.com.
