Website Focuses on Beach Safety
Hawaii beaches are rated as some of the most beautiful and popular in the world. But, because of large waves and tricky currents they are also among the most dangerous.
Recently, at Maui’s Slaughter House Beach, we witnessed for ourselves just how tempting it can be to enter the water during unsafe condigions. Large breakers were pounding the shore and eating away at the beach. The place was completely un-swimmable. A single middle aged
man with mask, fins and snorkel came down the trail to the beach, intent on going for a little dip we suppose. He stood there watching the waves for several minutes until good judgment finally prevailed and he left the way he came.
This little encounter led us to a truly useful website, Hawaii Beach Safety It not only lists current conditions for many of Hawaii’s beaches, but has lots of helpful safety suggestions for beachgoers.
They suggest that before entering the water, remember to SOAK:
- Study the conditions before entering the water.
- Observe the activities of others in the ocean.
- Ask the lifeguards about current conditions.
- Know your limits in the water.
Presented by the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, City & County of Honolulu, County of Maui, Hawaii Department of Health, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, it’s a non-profit venture.
We liked the site so much that we put a link to it just under the Maui weather report at the top of the page.
