After years of anxiety and false starts, the official word has come in that a lifeguard tower near Black Rock on Kaanapali Beach will be in place in December or January. There are currently two lifeguard training sessions in progress for the stations with eight recruits in each class.

Ironically, the news came on the heels of a rescue at the world class beach fronting the Kaanapali Resorts. Last week, Lahainaluna High School sophomore Jacob Gorokhovsky was enjoying a day at the beach at Black Rock. Suddenly, he heard cries for help — “Lifeguard, lifeguard!” — coming from the water in the pristine cove near the rocky cliffs.

A competitive swimmer with the Lahainaluna and Lahaina Swim Club programs and a graduate of the Maui County Junior Lifeguard Program in 2020, 16-year-old Gorokhovsky did not hesitate to leap into action. He quickly pulled on his goggles and swam out to the woman in distress.

The instincts and procedures taught to him by Junior Lifeguard mentor Ryan Cabrera at the training sessions snapped into action, and the woman was brought to the beach — safe and sound.

It is indeed inspiring to contemplate the ramifications of what is happening with the life-and-death situation at Black Rock. First, we salute the actions of young Gorokhovsky and the Junior Lifeguard training program. His family was quick to recognize mentor Cabrera for his intuitive guidance to prepare the teenager for this precise situation.

In the broader view, all concerned should be inspired to know that Maui County officials have taken the much-needed initiative to implement lifeguard supervision at both the Black Rock location AND on the north side of the popular location at Airport Beach.

Led by Capt. Michael Sparling and newly promoted Lieutenants Hans Buetzer and Jasen Ka’imikaua, the Black Rock Lifeguard Tower will be located along the Sheraton Maui Resort property area.

And for future junior lifeguards, registration for next session opened this week. (By Walter Chihara)