Garden Island Interview
Vicki Sterne creator of Kauai Beach Guide iPhone app, Poipu
Vicki Sterne of Po‘ipu is the creator of the Kaua‘i Beach Guide iPhone app, which features beach safety information, ocean reports, weather and much more. The app is available on iTunes for 99 cents.
What inspired you to bankroll your own Kaua‘i beach guide and ocean safety app?
Vicki Sterne: While working here as a concierge, a guest approached me saying that he was very impressed by my knowledge and how I shared it. He suggested creating an iPhone app. I realized our visitors’ greatest need was more detailed beach information, with a focus on safety.
Months later, I walked along Kealia Beach late one afternoon, asking myself if I should continue working on the app. Within 10 minutes I was involved in an ocean rescue of three tourists. They had an iPhone and the info in my app would have enabled them to avoid the dangers there. So, I had my answer.
When did you first launch the Kaua‘i Beach Guide app?
VS: The launch was in November 2011. The app has a GPS enabled map and the beaches have static color-coded pins: green for lifeguarded; yellow for beaches generally safe under good conditions — 0 to 2 foot waves; and red for those where swimming isn’t recommended.
There are filters for safety, swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, amenities and child-friendly beaches. Wave heights from the ocean report are visible in several sections of the app, as well as the time of the report. The general info section has quite a bit about safety, as well as marine life and how to go green while visiting Kaua‘i.
Was it difficult to get this project off the ground? How did you pay for it?
VS: It has been quite a learning curve as it is out of my previous realm of experience. I started the project with the guest who approached me. He was the tech/business guy and I was responsible for the content. When he opted to bow out to enjoy his retirement, I felt so passionate about the project that I decided to continue on, using my savings. I eventually found a wonderful developer to complete the graphics and coding. He was a Russian living in Pennsylvania. Thank heavens for Skype!
Where does all the information available on the app come from?
VS: I did all of the research and wrote the content. I am very fortunate to have permission from KauaiExplorer.com to use its ocean report data. I also get up-to-date weather from wunderground.com.
When it comes to ocean safety, what does your app offer that other resources do not?
VS: For starters, the app is very user friendly and perfect for those on the go. The static color-coded pins on the map are a big help in steering visitors to lifeguarded beaches and showing them which ones need more caution. The detailed beach information is clear and concise and any dangers or concerns are listed.
I met with Dr. Monty Downs several times and both he and head lifeguard Kalani Vierra took the time to review my content and suggest a few changes. I also visited each lifeguard tower and asked what they wanted visitors to know in general, as well as about that particular beach. I felt it very important to give our lifeguards a voice, to help with prevention. As one lifeguard said, “I’d rather talk to the visitors than have to rescue them later.”
Other than projects like your own, what do you feel Kaua‘i should be doing to address ocean safety moving forward? What else can be done to prevent drownings?
VS: I think the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Task Force, the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association and Kaua‘i Explorer are doing an amazing job in keeping our visitors safe. The rescue tubes have been a true blessing — we used one in that Kealia rescue.
Prevention is everything and everyone from concierges to beachgoers can help. A friendly word of advice goes a long way. We know our ocean and its dangers better than our visitors. Steering them to the appropriate beaches and advising of dangers helps a lot. Sending a family with two toddlers down to Hideaways in December, which happened to a family I met, is a recipe for disaster.
What is something most visitors don’t know understand about Kaua‘i’s beaches that you think they should?
VS: I had a visitor ask me the other day to recommend an “off-the-beaten-track” beach that wasn’t in my app. The reason they aren’t listed are the many safety issues involved — difficult trails to the beach, often dangerous conditions, possible help being very far away, to name just a few. Even savvy oceangoers often find our ocean conditions more challenging. Being an island in the middle of the Pacific makes a huge difference.
In an ideal world our visitors would only visit lifeguarded beaches, but the reality is that even some of their hotels are on unguarded beaches. Use the resources available, whether it’s the Kaua‘i Beach Guide iPhone app, kauaiexplorer.com or asking your concierge or front desk questions before heading out.
I am proud to be even a small part of Kaua‘i’s ocean safety team.
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