Committee endorses ordinance changes transferring extended lifeguard program to Ocean Safety; staff cite staffing and 'extended hours' work

The Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services on May 1 recommended passage on second reading of Bill 38 (2025), which amends the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu to transfer the extended lifeguard services program from the Department of Emergency Services to the Department of Ocean Safety.

Kurt Lager, director of the Department of Ocean Safety, told the committee the transition from the previous department has gone "well" and that the new department is concentrating on staffing levels needed to support extended beach hours, mobile responders and administrative functions. "We're focused on our staffing right now, making sure that we have the correct level of staffing to meet the extended hours on the beaches, mobile responders, as well as the administrative staff to support it," Lager said.

Council Member DeSantis Tam raised a point about whether ordinance language that uses "dawn to dusk" would create legal ambiguity because hours change through the year; Lager said he preferred "dawn to dusk" because the times vary seasonally and he deferred legal specifics to the corporation counsel. The chair said clarification on that phrasing could be provided if needed.

No in-person or remote public testimony was offered on the bill at the committee meeting. The chair recommended, and the committee agreed without objection, that Bill 38 be reported out for passage on second reading and scheduled for a public hearing.

The measure will move forward to the scheduled public hearing and further council consideration.