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Ilarry Kim <br />Ahoy,. <br />(goutiftj <br />Office af <br />11 <br />Wil Okabe <br />Aianaging J),reclor <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy Alanagmg Direcior <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., .dg 0 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />February 13, 2018 <br />Representative Aaron Ling Johanson, Chair <br />Committee on Labor & Public Employment <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 309 <br />Honolulu, 1 96813 <br />Dear Chair Johanson and Committee Members: <br />R H 2097, HD.' Relating to Lifeguards <br />Hean, g Date: 02/15/18 — 10:30 am; House Conference Room 309 <br />Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of HB 2097, HEM. <br />Much of the testimony on this bill, in the Committee on Water and Land, focused <br />on covering the cost of lifeguards at State beaches. However, 1 think it is at least as <br />important to recognize that HB 2097 is intended to fund safety personnel at county <br />beaches as well. <br />With the issue of lifeguard liability hanging over our first responders, and no <br />indication that a legislative solution is at hand, my Fire Department supports the hiring <br />of lifeguards by DLNR for State and county beaches. Since all ocean waters are under <br />State jurisdiction, this would seem a reasonable, sensible, and effective path forward. <br />1 hope you will keep LHB 2097 alive, with as much funding as you can justify. <br />Harry Kim <br />Mayor, County of Hawaii <br />County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />