Episode 170: Ocean Safety Chief Lager on Lala, a new headquarters, and the Jr. Lifeguard State Championships
On this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, the Chief for the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD) Kurt Lager talks about the challenges of Hurricane Lala, securing a new department headquarters, and Team O’ahu winning the 2026 Jr. Lifeguard State Championship.
Hurricane Lala
As the initial effects of Hurricane Lala began impacting Oʻahu on Saturday, HOSD reported a busy day along the island’s shoreline, with lifeguards conducting 7,765 preventive actions and 59 rescues island-wide.
HOSD reported the following activity by district:
• District 1 (Waikīkī / Ala Moana): 5,120 preventive actions and 32 rescues
• District 2 (Eastside): 1,035 preventive actions and 15 rescues
• District 3 (North Shore): 685 preventive actions and 1 rescue
• District 4 (Westside): 925 preventive actions and 11 rescues
Following Lala, Chief Lager reminded beachgoers to check ocean conditions before going into the water. Strong winds also left much of our shorelines with debris and a brown water advisory was issued following the heavy rain and severe storm runoff.
A New Department Headquarters
The Honolulu Ocean Safety Department has outgrown its current headquarters on Lē‘ahi Avenue. As Chief Lager explains on this week’s episode of the One O‘ahu Podcast, the department is eyeing a new location at a property in Kaka‘ako.
“It also allows us to relocate some of our other workers, such as the guys at the Natatorium for a substation,” explained Chief Lager. “Because that facility has become a little bit unsafe for our guys to be there as well. So, it allows us to make some moved and put people in better locations and facilities.”
The current HOSD headquarters is a small lot located on Lē‘ahi Avenue.
2026 Jr. Lifeguard State Champs
Team Oʻahu captured the 2026 Junior Lifeguard State Championship on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Ala Moana Beach Park, finishing the statewide competition with 318 points.
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
1st — Team Oʻahu: 318 points
2nd — Team Kauaʻi: 172 points
3rd — Hawaiʻi County: 150 points
4th — Team Maui: 142 points
“Our kids did great and so did all the instructors and everyone that helped out with that program,” said Chief Lager. “It’s such a great and important program that we do.”
For more on the Junior Lifeguard Program or if you have any questions, please visit https://www.honolulu.gov/hosd/junior-lifeguard/
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