COUNTY LIFEGUARDS BEGIN SERVICE AT MAKENA STATE PARK

County lifeguards began serving at Makena State Beach Park on Friday through a Memorandum of Agreement between the County of Maui and the State Parks department. The agreements funds one part time and 10 full time lifeguard positions.  The lifeguards will use two towers located at both ends of Big Beach with lifeguard services provided seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy: County of Maui. Lifeguard graduate Joao Batista is congratulated by Mayor Charmaine Tavares while County Chief of Aquatics Mary Kielty looks on.

A rescue jet ski funded by the state will be operated by the County guards, who will be linked to the County’s 911 system for emergency response.

An official opening ceremony will be held at the first entrance to the park on Friday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m.; the public is invited to attend.

“The shorebreak and rip currents at this beach can be very dangerous for locals and visitors alike, and I am very grateful for everyone’s efforts to establish this much-needed service at Makena,” said Mayor Charmaine Tavares in her remarks to the lifeguard graduates.

Recruitment and training of the lifeguards began after the agreement was signed by Mayor Tavares and the State on July 3, 2008. A previous agreement in 1994 lasted for eight months, but legal issues prevented that agreement from continuing.

County lifeguards do not provide services at any other State park on Maui.

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009.  Photo courtesy: County of Maui.  Lifeguard graduate Joao Batista is congratulated by Mayor Charmaine Tavares while County Chief of Aquatics Mary Kielty looks on.)