KAILUA-KONA — Kua Bay will likely go another year without lifeguards.
House Bill 2044, which would have appropriated funding for four full-time lifeguards to keep watch over the Kekaha Kai State Park beach, failed to secure a hearing before the state Senate Committee on Ways and Means by the Friday bill decking deadline.
The measure, which passed the state House of Representatives, followed nearly the same track as a proposal in the 2017 Legislature, dying a few steps short of approval in the multi-layered process.
However, a bill seeking funding for lifeguards across the state remains alive, leaving the possibility Kua Bay will get ocean safety personnel.
“Even though my bill specifically for Kua Bay lifeguard positions is now dead, it’s hopeful that there is still a vehicle to provide funding for this,” said bill co-introducer Rep. Nicole Lowen, D-North Kona. “What matters at the end of the day is that we prioritize safety and hopefully save lives, and not whose name is on the bill that passes.”
HB 2044, in its final amended form, sought $340,355 for fiscal year 2018-19 for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract with Hawaii County to hire four full-time lifeguards to watch over the bay within Kekaha Kai State Park.
The measure also sought $80,000 in general funds that fiscal year for a lifeguard tower, radios, protective equipment and an all-terrain vehicle.
From 2013-16, emergency medical services responded to 28 calls from the Kua Bay area with 19 of those calls resulting in hospitalization for traumatic injury. The legislation also notes that 14 of those calls came in 2016 alone. Since 2013, three people have died at the beach, according to state Department of Health statistics.
Though the bill to bring ocean safety personnel specifically to Kua Bay has come to its end this legislative cycle, House Bill 2097 remains alive.
The measure, which deals mainly with lifeguard liability, also includes an appropriation request for $1 million from the tourism special fund for DLNR’s Division of State Parks to contract with the counties for lifeguard services at designated state beach parks.
State Parks told West Hawaii Today in January that Kua Bay would be the next state park site to receive lifeguard services.
The bill was heard on Thursday by a joint Senate committee on Ways and Means and Judiciary, which recommended the bill be passed on third reading on the Senate floor, which is set for Tuesday.
Other bill moves:
* Senate Bill 3079, which would establish a full-time sheriff’s lieutenant for the west side of Hawaii Island, has died. After passing its third reading in the state Senate and being sent over to the House for further consideration, it failed to secure a hearing before the House Finance Committee, the second of two required committee hearings.
* Senate Bill 2079, which would have provided protection for all sharks and rays within state waters, has died. After passing its third reading in the state Senate and being sent over to the House for further consideration, it failed to secure a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, the second of two required committee hearings.
* House Bill 1757, which would have required ready-to-drink coffee products labeled as Hawaii coffee to contain at least 10 percent Hawaii-grown coffee, has died. After passing its third reading in the state House and being sent over to the Senate for further consideration, it failed to secure a hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health.
They never say why a bill has died. It would be good to know why the chair didn’t schedule it or why people voted against it.
Special interest lobbying (paying off one way or another) their respective ally are the cause of death.
In terms of House Bill 1757 it was Roz Baker, head of the very last committee before the bill would have reached the floor. Ms. Baker, known to have no sentiments for consumers at all, nevertheless heads the Consumer Protection Committee. In this case let everybody sell everything with the name of Hawaii attached to it. As long as you pay for HER reelection campaign and swanky life style.
Before it was do-nothing Clift Tsuji who let every progressive ag bill die in his committee.
Why should it be different with other bills? Committee heads and speakers have the ultimate say. Those have few political motivations but the deepest pockets.
Raises before lifeguards. Know who your voting for.
I’m so sad to hear that the wonderful Bill the lifeguard has passed away! Where can I send flowers? He was so young and vibrant!