Photo: Marcus Lenk//Unsplash
Three city lifeguards in Honolulu were suspended without pay last Friday after drinking while on duty. The incident happened in a storage room on the Magic Island side of Ala Moana Beach Park at around 4 p.m. Lifeguard towers had been shuttered that day due to hazardous conditions from another Kona low storm, but beaches were still open and personnel were instructed to take shelter and stay available for emergency situations.
Blood alcohol levels were tested among nine guards that day. Six had tests with .000 blood alcohol, while the other three tested positive and were suspended without pay. The department enforces a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol use or possession on duty, so a commissioner on the Ocean Safety Commission acknowledged they could lose their jobs over the incident.
“It’s hugely disappointing. Naturally. We have so many great things to look forward to as a new department,” said Racquel Achiu, the commissioner on the Ocean Safety Commission. “It’s unfortunate that chances like that are taken because we are a public safety department.”
Although the department holds its zero tolerance policy, the city will still investigate the incident and determine whether or not further action is going to be warranted.
“We take this matter seriously. The actions of a few do not reflect the standards and professionalism of the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department as a whole. Our personnel are entrusted with the safety of the public, and we hold them to a high standard of conduct at all times,” said Mayor Blangiardi’s communications director, Scott Humber, in a statement.
Honolulu Ocean Safety is the city department responsible for staffing 43 lifeguard towers throughout Oahu.
