Maui Lifeguard Kapena Kuailani, his son and junior lifeguard Kanoa Kuailani, and Kapena’s father, Sam Kuailani, were honored by Maui Mayor Richard Bissen for saving the life of a diver found unresponsive in waters off Kahului Harbor. Off duty at the time, Kapena, a Unit 15 member, and his family of watermen pulled the diver into their boat, performed CPR and brought the man back to shore for help from first responders. (Photo courtesy of County of Maui.)

For more than 40 years, Unit 13’s Bennett Yap, information technology manager, has worked to ensure that the public has easy access to government services.

One of his proudest career moments was leading the quick set up of the emergency unemployment insurance claim center in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Often working seven days a week to ensure the hub and its 500 workstations were running smoothly, Bennett and his team transformed a ballroom at the Hawaii Convention Center into a claims processing center that ran for one and a half years. Outside the office, Bennett serves on the HGEA Board of Directors.

Aliamanu Middle School Principal Albert Hetrick, a Unit 6 member, visited KHON 2 News’ morning broadcast to celebrate his school’s selection as a 2025 “School of Distinction.” Moanalua and Kaimuki Middle Schools were also honored by the Association for Middle Level Education, making them among only 24 schools across the country to gain the distinction.

“It’s humbling to be honored like this,” Hetrick said. “There are a lot of great things happening at the middle school. … It’s all about opportunities, giving [our students] as much opportunities as we can. I’m just so proud of our staff.”

Each school was selected for its extraordinary capability of meeting “the unique needs of middle schoolers,” academically, socially and emotionally, according to the state Department of Education.

“This award is a testament to our schools’ commitment to creating positive environments that encourage growth, exploration and well-being during a crucial time in students’ lives,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said.

Two years after one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history ravaged Lahaina, Maui students are finding glimmers of hope on the King Kamehameha III Elementary School campus.

CBS Mornings’ Nate Burleson visited the temporary campus, built in 90 days by the Army Corps. of Engineers, and spoke with Unit 3’s Darice Garcia, an educational assistant at the school.

“In the early days, I would hear the kids make comments like, ‘My house is gone,’ ‘My cousin died,’” said Garcia. She sees her role as providing a sense of stability by “being open arms for them, that love and compassion… so they know they can come to a place where people care about them.”

There’s no question that Oahu’s North Shore is home to some of the most dangerous waves in the world. But it’s also home to world’s most elite class of lifeguards.

CBS Mornings traveled to Pipeline to speak to the men and women whose job it is to put their own lives at risk to save someone else’s. Featured Unit 15 members include David Wassel, Tau Hanneman, Kyle Foyle, Kirk Ziegler, Jeffrey Okuyama, and Vitor Marcal.

Patrolling the beautiful yet treacherous waters, the water safety officers from Honolulu Ocean Safety are ranked as some of the most skilled in the profession worldwide. With upwards of more than 1,000 rescues for some veteran lifeguards, it is evident how the work our members do on the coast protects the community and saves lives.

Ever since she was a little girl, Toni Watanuki of Unit 15 knew she was destined to be a lifeguard. Watanuki has been a water safety officer at Hanauma Bay for the past three years.

Her journey began with the junior lifeguard program, where she found inspiration from her instructors—especially the trailblazing women who helped pave the way for future female lifeguards. Her words of wisdom to other young girls interested in ocean safety is to “just do it—and keep trying!”