Three swimmers drowned at Kua Bay in the past eight years. ADVERTISING Three swimmers drowned at Kua Bay in the past eight years. There were three near-drownings, 10 spinal cord injuries, one cardiac arrest and assorted other serious and minor
Three swimmers drowned at Kua Bay in the past eight years.
There were three near-drownings, 10 spinal cord injuries, one cardiac arrest and assorted other serious and minor injuries. In addition, numerous distressed swimmers were rescued by other beachgoers.
“My 8-year-old son almost drowned here,” said Denisea Rensen on Wednesday at Kua Bay. Rensen is very supportive of having lifeguards at the popular beach in West Hawaii. “It took three adults to get to him on his board.”
While Rensen and other beachgoers took advantage of the surf and sand, the Hawaii County Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to pass a nonbinding resolution again asking the Legislature to put money in the budget for lifeguards, a lifeguard tower and necessary equipment at the beach.
Hawaii County has tried for years to get the state to provide lifeguards at the bay, located at the Kekaha Kai State Park. This year is no different.
“I’ve seen firsthand how crazy that beach can get,” said Mike Fields, manager of Boss Frog’s Dive and Surf Shop in Kailua-Kona. “I think it would be pretty prudent to get a lifeguard down there.”
The resolution was sponsored by North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff, who said she’s been working with state Rep. Cindy Evans, D-Kohala, North Kona.
“The beautiful beaches of West Hawaii are valued by all residents of Hawaii Island and visitors,” Evans said. “Kua Bay became a destination beach when the state paved a road that required four-wheel drive. There is no turning back. Emergency responders are too far away to respond to injuries and drowning. I support and will continue to ask for lifeguards until we get them.”
The beach’s increased popularity and improved access, in turn, have led officials to seek greater safety measures. The bay has strong riptides and sudden shore breaks that can cause spinal injury.
“It can be a dangerous place and we need to get lifeguards there,” Eoff said.
On the state level, Evans again is sponsoring a bill, HB 14, putting four full-time lifeguards in the state budget. The bill was assigned to two committees but hasn’t been scheduled for a hearing.
It’s long overdue, said Kona Councilman Dru Kanuha.
“We go through this every single year. … It’s just crazy. It blows my mind,” he said. “How many people have to die before we put lifeguards on this beach?”
Total operating costs, together with startup costs of equipment for the first year, would be $401,696 with an annual budgeted amount of $325,696 for three years thereafter, according to the county resolution.
The state does not have lifeguards of its own, but instead contracts with the counties for those services.
The Hawaii Fire Department supports the proposal. At remote locations such as Kua Bay, it can take 15 to 20 minutes to get an emergency medical services team to the beach to help resuscitate a near-drowning victim, officers said.
Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.
Email Laura Ruminski at lruminski@westhawaiitoday.com.
