Beyond the Towers: How Maui Is Rethinking Ocean Safety

Interview with Zack Edlao, Maui Ocean Safety

Maui has 120 miles of coastline, but only 12 lifeguard towers serving nine beaches. So what happens when people head into the ocean beyond a lifeguard's reach?

In this Deep Dive conversation, Maui Ocean Safety Chief Zack Edlao takes us behind the scenes of that challenge. He shares what it takes to protect residents and visitors in an environment that can change in seconds, from unguarded beaches and powerful rip currents to changing ocean conditions, limited coverage, and the need to reach people with safety information before they ever enter the water.

Edlao talks about the role of education, community relationships, rescue watercraft, youth programs, and interagency training in preventing emergencies before they happen. The conversation also explores the proposed Black Rock lifeguard tower and the broader effort to strengthen ocean safety through collaboration among Hawaii’s county ocean-safety teams, fire, police, EMS, emergency management, the Coast Guard, DLNR, community organizations and local residents.

The conversation also looks beyond Maui. Edlao discusses his upcoming visit to Okinawa to work with Taishi Otono, continuing the exchange of ideas and experience that can help strengthen ocean safety through learning across communities and regions.

At its heart, this is a conversation about kuleana, the shared responsibility to understand the ocean, look out for one another, and help create safer shorelines across Hawaii. Ocean safety doesn't begin when the rescue starts. It begins before anyone gets in the water.

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