STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3455

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 54

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 54 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OPEN WATER LIFEGUARDS AS FIRST RESPONDERS IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEIR ESSENTIAL ROLE IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING THROUGHOUT THE STATE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to recognize open water lifeguards, including ocean safety officers and water safety officers, as first responders in acknowledgement of their essential role in emergency response, public safety, and community well-being throughout the State.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Ocean Safety Department of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawaii Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau; Maui County Ocean Safety Bureau; Aloha Independent Living Hawaii; Hawaiian Lifeguard Association; Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation; Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition; North Shore Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition; Rescue Tube Foundation; Marine Corps Civilian Services Water Safety; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Hawaiʻi Search and Rescue Alliance; and sixty individuals.

Your Committees find that open water lifeguards are often the first personnel to arrive at emergency scenes, initiating lifesaving interventions, securing hazardous environments, coordinating incoming responses, and providing advanced care until other first responders arrive. While these emergency personnel function as first responders, they have not been consistently or formally recognized within the same framework as other first responders. This measure affirms the State's commitment to protecting both its residents and visitors by recognizing the operational reality of emergency response by open water lifeguards.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Safety and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 54 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair