LIHUE — Junior Lifeguard interns Jai Domingues, Koa Rine, Kahelelani Brede, Kolohai Kuhaulua, and new lifeguard recruit Nick Shore had a singular goal — pass the week’s curriculum.
Friday, the interns and new recruit passed after surviving the rigorous week’s workout that included shadowing lifeguards at different locations around the island while learning the basics of lifeguarding skills.
“Mahalo to the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau, the Atherton Foundation, all our partners, and the inaugural interns of the Junior Lifeguard Internship program,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “As an avid surfer, I understand the importance of respecting our ocean, and I’m truly grateful to all our Ocean Safety first responders for protecting our beachgoers. This program will help generate the next generation of Ocean Safety personnel, fostering confidence and leadership. By investing in our keiki, we’re ensuring a safer tomorrow for our beaches and communities.”
Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau Chief Kalani Vierra said not only did the lifeguards survive the week, they each also earned certification in Open Water Lifeguard skills, CPR, First Aid, and got paid.
The Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau and the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association presented the week-long program that was made possible through a grant from the Atherton Foundation and sponsorship by Waterman Brand. Local sponsors include the County of Kauai, Matson, Kauai Federal Credit Union, and others.
“They rocked this,” said Kirsten Hermstad of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association who flew in from Oahu to check on how the program was going. “These interns are supposed to fly over to help the Oahu program get started. Once Oahu is set, the Oahu guards fly over to Maui to help set that program up. This is all supposed to take place once a year for the next three years. But based on how well everything went, we’d like to push up the schedule if we can find the grants.”
The candidates were selected from previous Junior Lifeguard programs and represented the best and strongest the youth program leaders could find. The interns were subjected to an interview process and had to meet the same physical fitness and skill competencies as adult lifeguard positions.
The week’s training alongside adult lifeguards focused on ocean safety awareness, performing rescues, administering first aid, and learning CPR and AED techniques with the goal of having these interns become co-instructors in the summer Junior Lifeguard Programs, and potentially future lifeguards.
Vierra said these newly trained Junior Lifeguards will start teaching almost immediately as he noted the number of young siblings and parents in the audience.
“It is heartbreaking to know that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 15 in Hawaii,” Vierra said. “By expanding programs like this across the state, we can work together to help protect our youth and significantly reduce the number of drownings and aquatic injuries. Let’s make a difference in the lives of our keiki and create a safer environment for all.”
