With all the amazing women who’ve graced the waters of the Hawaiian Islands, especially Oahu, it’s hard to believe that there’s never been a female lieutenant in the history of the Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards. That all changed when HOS named veteran Chelsea Kahalepauole-Bizik to its mobile command in December.
Kahalepauole-Bizik fits the position perfectly. She’s a lifelong surfer, a competitive ocean paddler and she’s been on the force for over a decade. And she has humility to spare. “I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of the late Rell Sunn and Pua Mokuau and will do my best to live up to their legacies, while protecting our beachgoers and supporting our men and women on the beach,” she said.
Kahalepauole-Bizik grew up in Kailua and has spent her entire career on Oahu. “We are immensely proud to see the first wahine supervisor in our ranks,” said Ocean Safety Chief John Titchen. Kahalepauole-Bizik will primarily patrol Oahu’s Windward side.
