Local Culture

Two O‘ahu Lifeguards Talk Story About the Lifestyle and the Challenges of the Job

Lifeguards Capt. Paul Merino, 65, and Lt. Jason Patterson, 48, have guarded O‘ahu’s beaches for nearly 70 years. They monitor two different parts of the island—Merino in Waikīkī and Patterson on the West Side—but met many years ago at one of Merino’s clinics at Mākaha Beach Park. The pair talked story about the lifeguard lifestyle, the challenges of the job and a move to extend their hours on watch.