Across the Islands, Hawaiʻi’s lifeguards respond to emergencies and make lifesaving rescues. However, they also work to prevent accidents by educating beachgoers about ocean conditions and potential hazards before problems arise.
Chris Latronic, public information officer for the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, advises visitors and residents alike to speak with lifeguards before entering the water if they have any concerns. “We always encourage everyone to talk to lifeguards and ask what the hazards of the beach are,” he says.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Many of Hawaiʻi’s lifeguards have spent years surfing, swimming and paddling in local waters, giving them valuable local knowledge of the beaches they patrol. Toni Watanuki, who joined the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department in 2022 after participating in its junior lifeguard program, is typically stationed at Hanauma Bay. On a sunny morning in Waikīkī, she reminds beachgoers that lifeguards are on these shores nearly every day and understand the conditions better than anyone. “The lifeguards that are here every day really know how to keep you safe,” she says.
Both Latronic and Watanuki stress that the best rescue is the one that never has to happen.
Here are a few safety tips from the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department:
- For novice swimmers and those who are unsure of their abilities in the water, only swim at beaches where lifeguards are present. Speak to lifeguards if you have any concerns about ocean conditions.
- Stay up to date on daily weather forecasts and ocean conditions. Be aware that the northern shores of the Islands typically experience larger swells in the winter, while the southern shores see bigger waves in the summer months.
- Be mindful of ocean conditions, which can shift quickly.
- Always watch your children.
