Three city lifeguards in Honolulu were suspended without pay last Friday after drinking while on duty. The incident happened in a storage room on the Magic Island side of Ala Moana Beach Park at around 4 p.m. Lifeguard towers had been shuttered that day due to hazardous conditions from another Kona low storm, but beaches were still open and personnel were instructed to take shelter and stay available for emergency situations.
Blood alcohol levels were tested among nine guards that day. Six had tests with .000 blood alcohol, while the other three tested positive and were suspended without pay. The department enforces a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol use or possession on duty, so a commissioner on the Ocean Safety Commission acknowledged they could lose their jobs over the incident.
“It’s hugely disappointing. Naturally. We have so many great things to look forward to as a new department,” said Racquel Achiu, the commissioner on the Ocean Safety Commission. “It’s unfortunate that chances like that are taken because we are a public safety department.”…