It has been said many times that communication is the key to many things.
In few instances is communication more important than when it involves safety. Things just got safer for swimmers and beachgoers at Hapuna Beach Park.
On Saturday, the south and north lifeguard towers at Hapuna Beach Park officially received PA long-range communications systems that will be used to warn those on the beach and in the water of possible danger. The equipment was donated by the Daniel R. Sayre Foundation from a gift by Grant Miller and Janet Higa-Miller, owners of HP Bike Works and Bike Works Beach and Sports through their Cinco de Mayo Splash and XTERRA Hawaii events. Additional funds for the purchase were donated by the Academy Swim Club and coach Mark Noetzel. The total cost of the two PA systems were $12,657.
Present at the gifting were Hawaii County Ocean Safety Officers, Hawaii Fire Department personnel and Emergency Medical Technicians. Battalion chief Bill Bergin and the Ocean Safety Officers said that the equipment will be key to preventing the need for rescues and recoveries at the beach.
Also present for the gifting were Laura Mallery-Sayre and Dr. Frank Sayre, founders of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation. The foundation was established in 1997 to honor the Sayre’s son, Danny, who was killed in a hiking accident in Pololu Valley.
The foundation’s annual awards dinner and fundraiser will be held on Aug. 31 at the Fairmont Orchid and the community is invited to attend. To register for the dinner and for more information, visit www.danielsayrefoundation.org.