HONOLULU(KHON2) — From the North Shore, to Sandy Beach, they are the men and women who risk their lives day in and day out to keep us safe. Wednesday afternoon Honolulu lifeguards were finally given the recognition they deserve.
“This was just bringing into reality something that should have happened. this is the right thing to do,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
Blangiardi signed a resolution effectively separating Ocean Safety from Emergency Services Department, creating a stand alone Ocean Safety Department.
“It makes it the priority it deserves to be,” Blangiardi explained.
“It’s a historic moment,” Acting Chief Kurt Lager said. “It’s hard to bring words to how important this is to everyone in ocean safety. Every lifeguard has been dreaming of this for 107 years.”
Ocean Safety has been a part of the Emergency Services Department since 1998. It had previously fallen under the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Officials said creating the independent department gives Ocean Safety the priority it deserves.
“Ultimately this is about providing our first responders all the resources they need to both keep themselves and also keep our communities safe,” Honolulu City Council Member Matt Weyer said.
The mayor also signed a resolution giving voters the opportunity to decide whether an Ocean Safety Commission should be established to oversee the new department.
Honolulu City Council Member Andria Tupola, who played an integral role in making this happen, said creating a commission is a key component that would put ocean safety on par with the police and fire departments
“If the ballot passes and there is a commission, we’re going to see a lot more input from the guards straight to the council so that we can kind of help and as well with the new chief,” Tupola said.
There are 42 lifeguard towers, at 21 beaches across the island. Each of them staffed with skilled watermen and women put there to keep beach goers safe.
Norman Skorge has been a lifeguard for 24 years, currently stationed at Kaimana Beach.
“It’s a recognition I think we deserve from a long time,” Skorge said. “For rank and file and for all of us it’s a tremendous day.”
Skorge said being a lifegaurd has it’s ups and downs like any other job, but the thing he loves most about it, are the people.
“It’s a fun job. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Skorge added.
The announcement comes a little over a month after Ocean Safety Chief John Titchen was suspended. Titchen has been head of Ocean Safety for over five years.
According to the city, Titchen remains on leave and the investigation is ongoing. Blangiardi said its a personnel matter and they should have results from the investigation in early June.
There will be a blessing on Thursday, May 30 for a hillside parcel in Kailua that will be the foundation for the first building designed and built for the lifeguard service in its 107-year history.