Ask the Mayor: Is the County Actively Recruiting Lifeguards?

Sunset at Kamaʻole Beach Park I in South Maui. File photo by Wendy Osher.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his staff.

Mr. Mayor,

Q:  I recently read your parks director say in a Maui News story that he sometimes has to shut down pools for a day because of a lack of pool lifeguards. What’s wrong with these kids nowadays? When I was growing up the most popular teenagers in town were the pool lifeguards. Is the county actively recruiting them?

A: Yes, we are constantly looking for new lifeguards. This isn’t an issue impacting only Maui County — there is a national pool lifeguard shortage that’s been affecting almost every state for the last several years. To combat this shortage, our Personnel Services Department has been recruiting through our county website and on social media. Meanwhile, the Parks and Recreation Department began our Junior Lifeguard program for 12- to 17-year-olds, which gives the skills they need to become a lifeguard. Also, the county is going to hold a one-day program to qualify and hire new lifeguards in late July.

Want to ask the Mayor? Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, (808) 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.