NEWS RELEASE
MAYOR RICK BLANGIARDI
DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION OCEAN SAFETY DIVISION
CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Cindy Cromwell: (808) 768-8400
City relocating lifeguard tower in Waikīkī due to beach erosion
Aerial image of Queen’s Beach in Waikīkī showing the approximate location of the damaged lifeguard tower and foundation to be removed (Image courtesy Google Maps)
O‘ahu – The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is diligently preparing to remove the remnant concrete foundation of a lifeguard tower located on the shoreline of Queen’s Beach in Waikīkī, a crucial step in ensuring the safety of our beachgoers.
The upper portion of the City’s Ocean Safety Division (OSD) Lifeguard Tower 2F was removed by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) in August of 2020 after incurring structural damage caused by large south swells. A temporary tower was promptly installed on the mauka side of the shoreline walkway to continue providing lifeguard services for the area. A permanent lifeguard tower will be installed in the grassed area near this location at a later date when OSD receives the replacement structure.
“Ocean Safety is happy to partner with our Department of Design and Construction and the Parks Department on the removal of this public safety hazard,” said Captain Adam Lerner, Honolulu Ocean Safety Division’s supervisor for operations on the south shore of O‘ahu.
“As we re-evaluate our towers and their placement nearly 20 years ago on these concrete pillars, we are pleased to be able to be nimbler in the shoreline and make sure our newly installed towers are moveable. Being more flexible gives us the best chance at preserving equipment during natural disasters in order to ensure we are set up to keep the public safe in the aftermath of huge swells, tsunamis, or hurricanes.”
Over 70% of beaches in Hawai‘i and 60% of beaches on Oʻahu are eroding. It is estimated that 5.5 miles of beach on O‘ahu have already been lost as a result. More information about the impacts of sea-level rise and beach erosion can be found in the City’s climate adaption strategy, Climate Ready Oʻahu, adopted in February 2024.
Before and after photos of the affected lifeguard tower
Removal is expected to take place on Thursday morning, April 11th at 5 a.m. and conclude by noon the same day, barring unforeseen circumstances. The contractor, Kaikor Construction Company, Inc. will be utilizing heavy equipment to complete the removal.
Park users are asked to avoid the area and heed posted signs and warnings. The City appreciates the cooperation and patience of the public as we complete this important and necessary work. For an interactive map of OSD lifeguard towers, beach access points, and handi-capable ocean access offered by the City and County of Honolulu visit: bit.ly/OahuBeachAccess.
If there are any questions, please contact the DDC at (808) 768-8400.
—PAU—
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Department of Design and Construction
