COVID-19 takes lifeguard off Makena beach tower Black Rock station on hold as Beach Safety Week marked
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken lifeguards off the Big Beach tower in Makena and thwarted plans to set up a tower at Black Rock, among the two more dangerous beach and ocean sites on Maui, as the state marks Beach Safety Week this week.
There have been a total of 193 drownings in Maui County from 2008 to 2018, including 183 on Maui, seven on Molokai, and three on Lanai, according to the Maui County Ocean Safety Bureau.
Snorkeling and swimming were the top two causes of drownings at 48 percent and 19 percent, respectively.
“Maintaining a healthy respect for the power of the ocean will help ensure your family’s safety for years to come,” said Battalion Chief Jeff Giesea of the Department of Fire and Public Safety Ocean Safety Bureau.
