Rotarians plan
water safety posts
on Kauai
LIHUE >> The West Kauai Rotary Club is planning to build water safety kiosks at beaches around the island to warn visitors of potential hazards.
Three visitors have been killed in ocean accidents in the first two weeks of this month on Kauai. On April 1, Terry and Debora Hantack, of Edwardsville, Ill., drowned when a wave pulled them off a rock outcropping at Lumahai Beach. On Monday, Victor Schaub, of Arcata, Calif., died when he was caught in a current at Anahola Beach attempting to help his two grandchildren, both of whom made it to shore safely.
Valerie Parker, president of the West Kauai Rotary Club, said the proposed project would involve all six Rotary Clubs on Kauai.
Feb. 5, 2005, is the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rotary, and chapters have been asked to create community service projects to commemorate the centennial.
"It's still in its infancy," Parker said, "but we have the concept.
"What we're looking at is a 'Little Grass Shack' on the beach that would be inviting to visitors," she said.
Inside the kiosk would be a map of the beach and reef area in front of the kiosk, showing potentially hazardous areas that are subject to rip currents or rogue waves. The map would be etched in Plexiglas.
There also would be a history of the area, written by a local kupuna, and a place to post announcements on water safety.
Parker said it has not been determined how many beaches would receive kiosks, but that the aim is to place them at the more dangerous state and county beach parks.
"All of the effort right now is on the afterward," Parker said. "The Kauai Hospice does a wonderful job of taking care of the survivors of drownings, but there is not enough in the area of prevention. Hopefully, we can change that."