Lifeguards from the Okinawan Lifesaving Association recently celebrated their completion of the inaugural Lifeguard Exchange Program in a ceremony held last Friday on Kauai.
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Kipu Kai Cave and Port Allen Harbor provided experience in rescue scenarios in hazardous water conditions
Poipu and Nukumoi Towers on the south shore provided coastal patrol training as lifeguards learned to monitor high-traffic beach areas and perform rescues in challenging surf conditions
Lifeguards practiced rip current rescue techniques and ATV operations to access Kealia, Lydgate and Anahola
Along the Napali coast, teams conducted rescue exercises involving caves and watercraft
The Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau partnered with the Okinawan Lifesaving Association in the exchange program that put the Okinawan lifeguards through an intensive week-long lifeguard training program involving water safety and rescue exercises, sharing of best practices with the Kauai OSB, and learning new techniques.
Kauai Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami acknowledged the lifeguards from Okinawa at the ceremony.
“Because you are here, and you have shared your experience with our people, consider Kauai your home,” said Kawakami in a release. “As soon as you put your feet on our soil, you are part of our people, our ‘ohana.”
OSB Chief Kalani Vierra stated, “It gives me great joy to collaborate with the Okinawan Lifesaving Association. This partnership is not just about sharing knowledge; it’s about embracing our diverse cultures and learning from one another. Our shared goal is to ensure the safety of our communities while offering compassionate and professional service to those we serve. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.”
Hands-on training sessions took place from Feb. 17 to 21 at various locations around Kauai, each offering unique challenges to ocean rescues. Kipu Kai Cave and Port Allen Harbor provided experience in rescue scenarios in hazardous water conditions. Poipu and Nukumoi Towers on the south shore provided coastal patrol training as lifeguards learned to monitor high-traffic beach areas and perform rescues in challenging surf conditions.
Moving to the eastside, lifeguards practiced rip current rescue techniques and ATV operations to access Kealia, Lydgate and Anahola. Along the Napali coast, teams conducted rescue exercises involving caves and watercraft. Training at Kalapaki Beach combined calm and dangerous waters and a 1,000-meter run/swim drill to conclude the program.
Coming from various coastal cities in Okinawa, including Okinawa City, Miyako, Zamami and Ishigaki, visiting lifeguards included Marina Tanikawa, Kotaro Miyabayashi, Takumi Yanagihara, Hayato Kobiyama, Makiura Soyo, Junichiro Ichikawa, Toma Hayakawa, Yutaro Kijima and Taishi Otono.
Lifeguards from Okinawa training along the Napali Coast with Ocean Safety Bureau personnel. (Photo courtesy of Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Okinawa Lifesaving Association and Ocean Safety Bureau)
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