Kauai County officials are preparing to show a short ocean safety video at Lihue Airport after a 41-year-old California man drowned Thursday, the 11th drowning victim for the island so far this year.
"It’s a high number and we’re concerned," said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau. "I’m hoping this will be another tool that will get people’s attention and perhaps plant a seed before they venture out."
"Eleven is just unacceptable," said state Sen. Brickwood Galuteria (D, Kakaako-McCully-Waikiki), chairman of the Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs Committee. "And it’s only April."
A video providing ocean safety tips will begin airing Wednesday at the airport’s baggage claim area.
The video, funded by the Rotary Club of Kapaa, is about 61⁄2 minutes long and features Kalani Vierra, operations supervisor of Kauai County’s Ocean Safety Bureau, and Dr. Monty Downs, president of the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association. In the video, Vierra and Downs urge the public to swim only at beaches with lifeguards.
"Any education we can get out is invaluable," said Kauai Deputy Fire Chief John Blalock.
He added that visitors need to know their limits and take precautions while they enjoy the beauty of the island.
"Know the threats and hazards," he advised.
The latest drowning happened in waters fronting a vacant lot next to the Plantation Hale Hotel in Kapaa. At about 2:50 p.m. Thursday, police dispatch received a report of a swimmer in distress.
Firefighters brought the swimmer to shore and administered CPR, according to a news release by the Kauai Fire Department. He was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police identified the man as Cristian Lung of Castro Valley.
General Manager John Douponce of the Plantation Hale Hotel said hotel staffers are devastated by the drowning. Lung was staying at the hotel with his family on vacation.
The family is being assisted by Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service.
Blalock said the area where Lung drowned is protected by a reef and waters are relatively calm.
Lung is the 13th visitor to drown statewide so far this year.
At the state Legislature, the committees on tourism and transportation last week passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 143, which asks the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to work with airline companies to show ocean safety videos on Hawaii-bound flights.
