Name: Steve Keitzer
Age: 24
Education: Kahuku High School
Position: Water safety officer
Pastimes: Surfing; carrying boulders under water to increase stamina

But when from his lofty perch above Waikiki Beach he spots trouble, Keitzer takes off from his lifeguard tower to protect his beach.

His responsibility is to save distressed people in the ocean, but Keitzer also chases down thieves who have preyed upon beach-goers and holds them for the police. To show that he appreciates the assistance, Police Chief Michael Nakamura recently honored Keitzer with five awards for capturing criminals.

Keitzer quickly points out that his fellow lifeguards also weed out human predators from the beach, and that the only reason anybody knows about his actions is because his boss ordered him to accept the awards.

"There are some issues about whether they should be enforcing laws," says Water Safety Division chief Ralph Goto. "But Steve has taken it upon himself to do it, and I can't fault him for that. It's a good thing."

Keitzer's fellow lifeguards think it's too much of a good thing and have teased him mercilessly since he was singled out for praise. "Hey, Hollywood," they call out mischievously, taking delight in Keitzer's obvious discomfort with all the attention.

Keitzer is reluctant to talk about himself and quickly turns the conversation to the difficulty of guarding the public's safety in a division chronically underfunded and short of manpower and rescue equipment.

Despite the two-hour round-trip drive to work from his Hauula home, Keitzer loves his job, especially during the winter when he is assigned to the North Shore and can surf big waves before and after work.

Keitzer doesn't want anyone to think that he chases crime suspects blindly.

"If I thought I was going to get injured, I would back off. I still don't know why I did it."

But fellow lifeguard and Kahuku High School graduate Guy Pere knows why.

"He was always the kind of guy who was looking for excitement. He has always been real aware of what's going on around him, whether surfing or in school. Steve has that great sense knowing when something wrong is going on. And he's a good friend to have; he'll always back you up."