HI HR23

Urges the City and County of Honolulu to remove the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division from the Emergency Services Department and establish it as an independent department.

The Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division currently operates 41 towers across Oahu, employs 235 full-time and 37 contract lifeguards (272 total), and has an annual operating budget of $19,800,000.

The division is designated as the primary responder for emergencies on beaches and nearshore waters (up to one mile offshore) around Oahu's 227 miles of coastline and operates five operational districts: South Shore, Windward Coast, North Shore, Leeward Coast, and Hanauma Bay.

The division faces increasing demands from growing ocean recreational activities including kayak rentals, stand-up paddling, and surf instruction operations that challenge current service levels.

Urges the Mayor and Honolulu City Council to work together to establish the new department pursuant to section 4-202 of the Revised Charter of the City and County of Honolulu.