(BIVN) – The simple formality of accepting state funds into the Hawaiʻi County budget for lifeguards at Kua Bay concluded many years of work by the community and local officials to establish the ocean safety positions at the popular beach park.

The Kona-side beach park within Kekaha Kai State Park can be dangerous under the right conditions, and until now the location had no lifeguards on duty.

That changed during the recent State Legislative session, after money for the lifeguards was included in the state budget.

During Wednesday’s special meeting of the Hawaiʻi County Council to consider the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, councilmember Karen Eoff introduced a measure to officially accepted the state funds.

Eoff’s amendment increased the West Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety account by $480,000, funding four Water Safety Officer II positions and providing lifeguard equipment and services at Kua Bay.