Life-saving rescue tubes added to Oʻahu shorelines

Mayor Blangiardi holds one of the 20 foam rescue tubes that will be placed along Oʻahu shorelines to help keep residents and visitors safe.

HONOLULU – Oʻahu’s ocean waters are now a little safer, thanks to local chapters of the Lions Club and the Rotary Club. They teamed up to provide 20 rescue tubes along 20 miles of Oʻahu’s southern and windward shores, from Kawaikui Beach Park in ʻĀina Haina to Kailua Beach Park. Anyone can access and use the rescue tubes if they see someone in trouble offshore. They’ve already been proven to save lives on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. Lions and Rotary Club members worked with the Honolulu City Council, Ocean Safety Lifeguards, and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to determine key points for these life-saving devices. They include:

• Kawaikui Beach Park
• Shoreline access points in Portlock (i.e. China Walls and Spitting Caves)
• Kaiwi Coastline (i.e. Lāna‘i Lookout and Hālona Blowhole)
• Sandy Beach Park (Wāwāmalu)
• Makapu‘u Beach Park
• Kaiona Beach Park
• Waimānalo Beach Park
• Hūnānaniho
• Bellows Field Beach Park
• Kailua Beach Park

Exact locations are viewable at bit.ly/OahuBeachAccess. The yellow foam rescue tubes are 52 inches long and include a black lanyard strap. They are intended to be used as flotation devices for assisting water rescues by supporting the victim’s and rescuer’s weight. The tubes are affixed to designated, highly visible stands, and are readily available for use by any beachgoer in emergency situations.

Click the photo above to watch video of the rescue.

While the news conference announcing the 20 new tubes was happening, a life was saved just down the road at China Walls, thanks to a rescue tube. China Walls was one of the first locations to get rescue tubes in recent years because it is a notoriously dangerous location and there is no lifeguard stand in the area. The victim was rescued and brought to shore in good condition. Click here to watch the full video showing what happened.

Mahalo to City and County Ocean Safety Lifeguards, the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the local chapters of the Lions and Rotary Clubs for your support and dedication to the safety and welfare of Oʻahu’s residents and visitors.