Kailua Lifeguard Base: Honolulu City Opens $3.3 Million Annex

The City and County of Honolulu has completed a new operations annex in Kailua, ending the use of interim facilities by the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department. The 1,680-square-foot building, located near Kailua Beach Park, is the first permanent, purpose-built base for lifeguards on Oʻahu’s Windward coast. Before this construction, the department relied on temporary structures for its daily operations.

The project cost $3.3 million and was constructed by CC Engineering & Construction, Inc. The building includes two offices, a bathroom, a kitchenette, a board storage room, and an apparatus bay for trucks and watercraft. Mayor Rick Blangiardi stated the facility is an investment in public safety and first responders. He noted that after more than a century, the department had waited long for facilities that reflect the importance of their work.

Personnel based at the annex will support the coastline stretching from the Mōkapu Peninsula to Waimānalo Bay. The site provides secure equipment storage and dedicated space for daily operations. These resources allow lifeguards to monitor ocean conditions and respond to emergencies more effectively. The department aims to ensure continuity of safety services at some of the island’s most popular beaches.

The annex marks the first time in the department’s 109-year history that a facility has been specifically designed for ocean lifeguards. The new infrastructure replaces older, temporary setups that previously served the staff. The completion of the project provides reliable, permanent resources for protecting residents and visitors in the water and along the shore.