Following the loss of a paddler in Kailua and the deaths of two teenagers in the ocean at Kaena Point, Honolulu Ocean Safety is recruiting as we get into the treacherous winter surf season.

According to the Department of Health, drownings are the fifth leading cause of fatal injuries among Hawaii residents, with an average of nearly 40 deaths a year.

Honolulu Ocean Safety Director Kurt Lager said the more they can staff and guard, the safer our waters will be — and recruitment registration starts soon.

“Yeah, like any first responder agency, we have a hard time with staffing. We are very good at recruiting and filling our vacancies, but there has been a greater demand for life guard services across the island due to changing conditions, beach usage, so we are trying to expand our life guard services not just by hours but also the number of people we put for safety reasons. That’s a challenge and there’s various different factors that play into that,” Lager said.

For more information on Ocean Safety’s recruitment registration on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 at Ala Moana Beach Park, click HERE.

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