Drowning resurrects call for lifeguards

Just so you know, Gene was in AMAZING shape, ex-military and a triathlete. Most 20 year olds could not compete with him physically. Gene was a good friend and a find spirit who will be missed my more than you could ever know.

He was an incredibly talented, compassionate, and loving soul. If you were honored in being a friend of his, there isn't anything he wouldn't do for you, and the best gift was his laughter and that incredible voice! My deepest condolences to all of his friends, family and extended family. He will be missed by so many. I too will hold a special place for him in my heart always. I can't believe he is gone.

Makelo wrote:

I also grieved for this man and I never met or knew him. My heart also went out to those who did know him and love him, although they too, are unknown to me. It was a tragic loss and a scene I will not forget.

Does anyone know when the autopsy report will be released?

I have suggested a short video on the plane showing hazards that could be encountered. Also, just standing on the rocks watching the water claims tourists ocassionally. Renting kayaks causes problems, being unfamiliar with equipment and technique is a danger to divers. Even going into area not welcoming to tourists is stupid.

To the victim's friends, I think that you are not correcting in thinking that most Hawaiian citizens feel pain at this incident. There are constantly fundraisers here to help victims even entire surf contests. I have never seen this anyplace else.

Also all lifeguards I have seen are PROFESSIONL, SKILLED AND VERY CARING.

The lifeguards have been approved for over a year; where are they? What's the delay?

Carl Weathers wrote:

Don't put any weight into a statement someone makes while remaining anonymous. Forums like this can be ugly. Gene sounded like a wonderful man.

Thank you. Well said. He was.

Gene was a man who thought with his heart. He will truely be missed by many. He always put others before himself. He was extremely generous, intelligent, non-judgemental, a joy to work with...I could go on and on. But those of you who's lives have been blessed in this lifetime by knowing Gene, know exactly what I am talking about. He touched every life he crossed. And I am honored to say he was my friend...my "big brother".

How about posting guards starting June and July when summer begins? Have they not budgeted money for the stands?

I worked with Gene several years ago and though I hadn't spoken with him recently my heart goes out to his family and friends. Nancy

Gene and I became instant friends back in 1972 when we met while stationed at Misawa Air Force Base, Misawa Japan. We had never lost touch in all those years and received a couple of his great forwards a few days before he and Jeff headed out to the islands. May 5th was my birthday and I received a brief email late that afternoon telling me he had passed away. It seemed so unreal, I get to celebrate another birthday, Gene loses his life. I have read each and every one of these postings. The comments by those who knew him are more true than they probably realize. For those railing about reading the signs and lifeguards, well the lad knew what he was doing: completely. He would just chuckle reading those particular postings, rest assured. And would blush at the notioin of his death filling the beach with lifeguards. As I told Gene a short while back: you were my friend the moment I met you and you will be my friend until the end of time. I have met no finer individual in my life. Mike Foshee New Holstein, Wi

My Boss Gene was the best and im gonna miss him.I still can't believe hes gone.He was loved by many.I will allways have him in my heart.gaby

Gene Ward was an amazing guy. He was like a big brother to me. A very kind hearted soul who would give much of himself to help anyone in need. Everyone loved Gene and I am honored to have known him as a person but more as a friend. He will be greatly missed. Thank you Gene for your friendship, your wise words and your lessons on life. - Mario

I just found out about Gene today and I am crushed. I had only a handful of encounters with Gene, but felt a tremendous vibe and warmth in his presence and a pure respect for him and his athleticism and committment to his work.

I will walk away being a better person for having had the opportunity to work and learn from Gene.

My deepest and sincere thoughts to his friends, colleagues, family and loved ones. Missy

We see signs every day - they're everywhere. The problem with signs is that people become immune to their message/warnings. But lifeguards are different than signs. Lifeguards are just that - they guard lives. They do not relay the same message 24/7, they communicate updated conditions. Gene was a good man and everyone loved his gentle, kind spirit. He had a way with people that drew them to him. I know hearts are breaking from this tragedy and loss of precious life. I am sorry for everyone feeling this incredibly consuming pain. Know that he is with you and the love you shared will never die, never.

Mad Hawaiian wrote:

Excuse me. Did you not say there ARE signs warning of Undertows? Is it really necessary to have paid lifeguards present there to be sure you have read the signs? From the name of the unfortunate drowning victim,I am assuming he was capable of reading and understanding English. This suggests that he made the choice to ignore the warning signs, especially the one about using common sense. Please understand, this does not mean that I have no sympathy for the victim and his family. Locals have watched tourists for generations with absolutely no respect for the sea defy common sense. This is, regrettably, another one of those.

Gene was strong, and such a beautiful person.
Were you there to watch? To watch him drown, and think to yourself: "He should have read the signs..."
Who is it out there, that comforts themselves with the knowledge that they did better? "I read the signs, I paid attention, I knew the dangers, and I survived..."
God damn you! The sea is not a toy- Gene and Jeff knew this! They did their best with what they knew- the sea was choppy,*but not unswimmable*- and because of this, one of them ended up losing their life. THE SIGNS DIDN'T HELP!!!!
The paramedics did everything they could, for a body that had been in the sea for an hour- and for that we do not have enough thanks. But, the signs did nothing. There was one person to start looking for Gene, and that was IT! No lifeguards, no helpful volunteers. No one to stop them from going out in the first place, no one to say that the day wasn't normal.
Damn you for feeling that this was his fault! I hope that one day you feel what he did- I hope the sea sucks you in when you least expect it, and overpowers you when you think you know what's going on. I hope you feel the helplessness and the panic- I hope the ocean takes you, like it takes anyone it cares to. And I hope when it does this, you think to yourself "But I knew, I'm not just a stupid tourist... I knew! How can this happen? I'm so sorry..."

I almost drown on vacation while taking a surfing lesson at waikiki, I fell off my board and another surfer ran into my head, and left me to die. Luckily a nice young man on vacation heard me scream and came to help me ashore where the lifeguards got me to medical help. My eyesocket was fractured in 4 places, jaw broken, right cheek bone crushed into splinters, and my sinus cavity ruptured. I got to spend 8 days at the Straub clinic and it was not fun. I am from South Carolina, we come to Hawaii for vacation and spend our money in your community, that gives us a right to speak up for safe beach conditions. If you don't want our tourism dollars then you are dumb, this is what your economy is based on.

geepaa wrote:

why are people from outside Hawaii commenting on this stuff. Hawaii people only. Connecticut and California mind your own damned business. Dumb.

Hello, I am sorry for the loss of your friend, I almost died in Hawaii on Waikiki beach Oct 21st,2007 when I was struck in the head by another surfer who ran me over and left me there to die. Luckily another vacationer heard me scream and helped me to shore where I was taken by the lifegaurds (who never saw what happened to me or noticed me until I made it to shore) to get medical help. My eyesocket was broken in 4 places, jaw broken, cheekbone crushed, sinus cavity ruptured, I spent 8 days in the hospital and now have 2 steel plates and a pin in my head.
I am a strong swimmer and have raced sailboats in the ocean all my life. I have never felt so scared or alone as I did in that water. No one should die like this. I am not sure that more lifeguards are the answer but I am sure that something needs to be done to make the Hawaian vacationers more aware of how dangerous the waters and the activities are. We as visitors are only advertised to that these activities are fun and exciting, because if we visit Hawaii to partake of these beautiful waters it really boasts their economy so of course they are not going to go out of their way to be over zealous on sharing the real danger that lurks in those lovely waters.

a friend of gene ward wrote:

<quoted text>i am a friend of gene and this horrible insensitive comment from you is extremely mean.you are an ugly individual!!!!!!
have some common sense and show some respect for gene ward.lifeguards are suposse to be there to save lifes and if there had been a lifeguard present maybe my friend gene would be alive.

Like dangerous roads out there we must wait until a certain amount of people die before anything can be done! Our government has to have HARD evidence before anything can be done! Just like the signatures that are need to make something happen (RAIL) the only difference is death is needed here! TRUTH!

NorthShoreRes wrote:

Whatever happened to being personally responsible for our own actions? Why is the State of Hawaii responsible to keep us safe in our waters? We make the decision to enter the water and should do so only after understanding our own capabilities and the conditions at the time. It is not our government's responsibility to interfere with our personal freedom of choice. We are personally responsible for our own actions.

Yes you are correct let people DROWN!

former lifeguard wrote:

I can't count the hundreds of tourists who I rescued from drowning. Do they ever listen to safety warnings or danger signs-NOPE. Do they go out on huge north shore and sandy's days-yep. Do they ever say thank you to the lifeguard - nope.
Spending tax dollars to rescue them when they obviously don't value their own lives doesn't make sense.

You are absolutely correct! Lets get rid of lifeguards then the police and hey how about the fire department!